Westpac OpenAir 2024

Overview

It's that time again, Sydneysiders: time for movies to compete with Mrs Macquaries Point's stunning view of Sydney Harbour. Every summer, the scenic spot's vista over the water, city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge gets a 350-square-metre screen showing the latest and greatest flicks — all thanks to Westpac OpenAir.

Film lovers can see Sofia Coppola's Priscilla open the outdoor picture palace's big summer return, plus Ferrari, Next Goal Wins and Poor Things on the rest of the lineup. They all have company, whether you're keen to see the Sydney premiere of The Dry sequel Force of Nature: The Dry 2 or can't wait for the new Mean Girls musical — or just think that Saltburn would look spectacular in the venue's surroundings.

Running from Wednesday, January 10—Tuesday, February 20, Westpac OpenAir will also show May December, which stars Natalie Portman- (Thor: Love and Thunder) and Julianne Moore (Sharper); scandal-fuelled comedy Wicked Little Letters, as led by The Lost Daughter costars Olivia Colman (Heartstopper) and Jessie Buckley (Women Talking); and Nicolas Cage (Renfield) in Dream Scenario, where the inimitable actor plays an ordinary man who starts haunting the world's slumbers. Or, you can look forward to theatre and the screen combining via National Theatre Live: Dear England, featuring Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid's Tale) — plus sublime Japan-set Oscar contender Perfect Days from iconic German filmmaker Wim Wenders (Submergence).

Other highlights span wrestling drama The Iron Claw, with Zac Efron (The Greatest Beer Run Ever), Jeremy Allen White (Fingernails) and Harris Dickinson (A Murder at the End of the World) leading the cast; Paul Mescal (Foe) and Andrew Scott (His Dark Materials) getting swooning in All of Us Strangers; the new version of The Color Purple; the George Clooney-directed The Boys in the Boat; and war veteran tale The Great Escaper, which could be Michael Caine's (Best Sellers) last performance.

St. George OpenAir Cinema 2015, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney 07.01.2015

Or, there's Bradley Cooper (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) both starring in and directing Leonard Bernstein biopic Maestro, Ridley Scott (House of Gucci) reteaming with Joaquin Phoenix (Beau Is Afraid) for Napoleon, and Paul Giamatti (Billions)-led and Alexander Payne (Downsizing)-helmed comedy The Holdovers.

The list goes on, complete with the already-released Past Lives, Barbie, Oppenheimer, Dumb Money and Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One also set to screen. Among the classic picks, Amélie, Pretty Woman and The Notebook will also score a whirl. No matter the choice of film, it'll look and sound fantastic, the screen is raised three stories high above the water with a sharp 4k projection and immersive Dolby digital surround sound to ensure all 1650 guests get the full experience.

Westpac OpenAir is also more than just a cinema, the full experience is one of drinks, dinner and DJs by the harbour before the films even commence. Attendees can nab a bite at the fully serviced restaurant Summer House Dining or pick from the extensive a la carte menu at Chandon Garden and a diverse-yet-casual experience at Mike & Friends at The Point.

As happens every year, tickets are likely to go quickly when they go on sale on Monday, December 11. Across the summer of 2018–19, more than 40,000 tickets sold within the first two days of pre-sale, for instance — so put it in your diary ASAP.

Westpac OpenAir 2024 runs from Wednesday, January 10 to Tuesday, February 20 2024. Doors open from 6pm and films start at 8.30pm nightly. For more information or to get your tickets, visit the website.