Pentridge Open-Air Cinema

Overview

What's better than a new place to watch movies on a big screen in Melbourne? A brand new 15-screen cinema that'll also have its own outdoor cinema, too. That's the case at Pentridge Cinema, which will launch for indoor screenings in the former Coburg prison site on Friday, December 11 — and will unveil its sibling venue, Pentridge Open-Air Cinema, on Boxing Day.

At the latter, you'll sit outside on a deck chair in the grassy courtyard, stare up at a big screen, soak in the summer evening air, be surrounded by the revamped precinct's 1850s-era walls and— in line with the times — social distance as well. Movies will screen every night through until Sunday, March 28, with gates opening at 7.30pm and films starting at around 8.45pm.

As for what you'll be watching, 55 flicks are on the program, spanning new and retro titles. It all kicks off with the obvious — The Shawshank Redemption — and yes, as we predicted, other prison flicks like Chopper, The Great Escape, The Rock and Cool Hand Luke are on the bill.

So are fellow classics like Goodfellas, Lost in Translation, Labyrinth, Romeo + Juliet, Clueless and Jurassic Park — and, for something more recent, Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone at Alexandra Palace.

Palace will run a pop-up bar outdoors each night, selling snacks and drinks. You can BYO picnic if you'd rather, but not booze. On Saturday and Sunday nights, there'll also be ticketed 'Aperol Sundown Sessions', which include two spritzes, a meal and live music before the movie.