Overview
It isn't hard to find somewhere in Sydney showing movies under the stars over summer. Moonlight Cinema, Westpac Openair Cinema, Laneway Cinema at The Rocks, Mov'In Bed Barangaroo Beach Cinema, Sunset Cinema: they're among your choices. For three film-filled January weekends, so is the Warner Bros Discovery Open Air Cinema at Darling Quarter, which comes with one big point of difference: it's all about flicks from Warner Bros Discovery.
The biggest film of 2023 for the studio — and in general — kicks off the pop-up outdoor cinema's 2024 lineup on Thursday, January 11, with the openair picture palace returning after debuting in 2023. That'd be Barbie, continuing its love affair with the Harbour City ever since stars Margot Robbie, Issa Rae and America Ferrara, plus director Greta Gerwig, hit the New South Wales capital on a pre-release promotional tour. Wearing pink is recommended, obviously.
As well as focusing on Warner Bros titles, this cinema also comes with an excellent price: $0. Entry to see the films is free, but you will need your wallet if you want a beanbag or picnic rug rather than just a patch of grass to sit on. And, you'll be paying for anything that you eat and drink, including getting click-and-collect pizza from Vesta Italian, Korean chicken from Goobne, Brazilian barbecue from Braza Churrascaria, cakes from Kürtosh and gelato from Gelatissimo.
The food range spans Doodee King's Thai cuisine, Ichoume's Japanese bites, Dopa's donburi and Cantonese dishes from MuMian Dining, too. Plus, Archie Rose is setting up a pop-up bar, where beer, wine and soft drink will also be available.
Also on the bill until Sunday, January 28, with the cinema running Thursday–Sunday each week across its three weeks on the Darling Quarter North Village Green: four Harry Potter films (The Order of the Phoenix, The Half-Blood Prince and the two Deathly Hallows movies) and all three OG Lord of the Rings flicks.
Or, check out The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, both The Lego Batman Movie and the Robert Pattinson-starring The Batman, more superheroes with Shazam! and The Flash, and the remake of The Witches. Happy Feet, Pokémon: Detective Pikachu, Edge of Tomorrow and The Notebook round out the lineup.
While entry is free, you do need to reserve your spot to whichever of the 18 screenings you'd like to attend in advance online.
Warner Bros Discovery Open Air Cinema at Darling Quarter runs Thursday–Sunday from Thursday, January 11–Sunday, January 28 at Darling Quarter North Village Green, 1–25 Harbour Street, Sydney — head to the event's website for further details and reservations.