The Best Summer Cinema Pop-Ups Of 2019

Backyard Cinema

Backyard Cinema is bringing the spirit of LA to Camden’s Roundhouse this summer. Prepare to be transported to the sun-kissed beaches of Venice Beach for a season of retro summer beach parties. Complete with giant palm trees, a beach bar and a sea of giant bean bags on the sand, the venue is set to be the ultimate summer cinema. The team’s sing-a-long beach parties will see customers let loose to sing their hearts out to some of the best movie soundtracks, including The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, Grease and Bohemian Rhapsody. In keeping with the sun-soaked backdrop, the venue will be covered, ensuring no British rain dampens the mood.

 Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, NW1 8EH; 18th July-25th August

Visit BackyardCinema.co.uk

Rooftop Film Club

The Bussey Building, Queen of Hoxton and Roof East in Stratford all play host to one of our favourite film nights – Rooftop Film Club. Alongside a roster of fresh-from-the-cinema releases such as Rocketman, Aladdin and Toy Story 4, the club will also be showing classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas, Frozen and Superbad. This year the team has teamed up with film mag Little White Lies to present a series of early-bird previews to The Souvenir on 11th July, Untogether on 16th July and A Train To Buscan on 14th July. Food and drink will be served an hour before the screening starts, and post-film until 11pm.

Locations in Peckham, Shoreditch and Stratford

Visit RooftopFilmClub.com

Film4 Summer Screen

The grand Grade II-listed courtyard of Somerset House is the backdrop to Film4’s annual fortnight of film screenings, where cult classics and premieres alike will be shown under the stars. Clueless, Before Sunrise, Black Panther, The Princess Bride and The Matrix are the first films to be announced, while ‘Behind the Screen’ – a series of talks, panel discussions, screenings and special events from industry talent – will be in place ahead of selected films. New this year, you can select from a range of seating options in the courtyard, including beanbags and director’s chairs, and pre-book a hamper or dining package with Jimmy Garcia’s BBQ Club.

Strand, Covent Garden, WC2R 1LA; 8th-21st August

Visit SomersetHouse.org.uk

Pop Up Screens

With Pop Up Screens, the name says it all – the team bring all their gear to ten spots across the capital to show a variety of films. Between 10 Things I Hate About You, Grease, The Greatest Showman, Dirty Dancing, Labyrinth and The Breakfast Club, there’s truly something for everyone. Various food vendors – and popcorn sellers, naturally – will be on hand to keep rumbling stomachs at bay.

Locations in City, Crouch End, Denmark Hill, Fulham, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Hither Green, Kingston, Maida Vale and Russell Square 

Visit PopUpScreens.co.uk

Secret Cinema

Secret Cinema specialises in ‘live cinema’ experiences, combining film screenings with interactive performances in purpose-built sets. Since launching in 2007, they’ve brought everything from Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back to Moulin Rouge, Back to the Future, Romeo + Juliet and Dirty Dancing to life. From now until October, the team has recreated the world of 007 for an immersive evening based on Casino Royale. Filled with fancy dress (which is mandatory), themed food and drink and, of course, the screening itself. Come November, the team will turn its attention to TV for the first time, taking over an unknown location for a Stranger Things extravaganza. 

Secret location; Casino Royale will show until 6th October and Stranger Things will show from 13th November

Visit SecretCinema.org

Nomad Cinema

The best thing about Nomad Cinema? The group gives 100% of its profits to South African charity, The Sustainability Institute. As its name suggests, this particular cinema doesn’t have one base, but roams the capital, popping up at locations such as Brompton Cemetery, Hyde Park Lido, Leadenhall Market and St Paul’s Cathedral gardens. Screening highlights this summer include Some Like It Hot, Green Book, Bohemian Rhapsody and Do The Right Thing. Barefoot Wines, Lanson and Sipsmith will all be on hand to provide drinks, while a rotating mix of street food traders and goodie bags filled with popcorn and chocolate will keep everyone satiated.

Various locations across London

Visit WhereIsTheNomad.com

Luna Cinema

From June to October, Luna Cinema will be taking over some of the UK’s most prestigious venues for a collection of screenings – think Hatfield House, the Horniman Museum, Knebworth House and Kenworth House. Within these rolling grounds, Luna Cinema will be showing everything from Mary Poppins Returns, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and The Favourite through to Moulin Rouge, A Star Is Born and Pretty Woman. This year, the team has paired up with The Cheese Geek to provide cheese board to nibble on mid-film, while premium tickets include a director’s chair, placed in a prime spot.

Various locations across London

Visit TheLunaCinema.com

Summer By The River

This summer-long festival, with a packed schedule of free outdoor events and entertainment, will be popping up at London Bridge on until 27th August. ‘Tuesday Film Night’ is already under way for the second year in a row. Hosting a range of cult classics and family favourites each Tuesday, the big screen at The Scoop will show the likes of The Incredibles 2, Mean Girls (which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year), Black Panther, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again and Mary Poppins Returns. From 1st July, Wimbledon will be shown on the big screen, offering visitors an 800-seater amphitheatre in which to soak up the action.

1 Battle Bridge Lane, London Bridge, SE1 2HD; until 27 August

Visit LondonBridgeCity.co.uk 

Pitch Stratford

Pitch Stratford is east London’s newest outdoor drinking, dining and event space. Over the summer, the Moroccan riad-inspired space will play host to various events and collaborations such as supper clubs, live DJ sets, Pakistani street food from Empress Market and tiki-inspired cocktails. Each Wednesday, guests can sink into a bean bag and enjoy one of the all-time classic movies on Pitch Stratford’s 196” screen. The main event begins at 7:30pm, but we’d recommend arriving early to enjoy some drinks and food. July’s events include The Grand Budapest Hotel, Pulp Fiction and Being John Malkovich.

2 Bridge Road, Stratford, E15 3FF; until 17th July

Visit PitchStratford.com

Beach Club Cinema

Turning its outdoor urban beach into an al fresco cinema, Fulham Beach now hosts weekly film nights, taking place every Tuesday throughout summer. With views over the London skyline, Beach Club Cinema offers comfy deckchairs with blankets to keep the evening chill at bay. Guests can expect exceptional sound quality, free-flowing popcorn, glasses of prosecco, wood-fired pizzas and a stellar line-up of movies. From award-winning films to cult classics and weepy rom-coms, the schedule features The Notebook, There’s Something About Mary, Grease, Dirty Dancing and The Beach.

Albert Wharf, Fulham, SW6 2TY; until 20th August

Visit FulhamBeach.com

Everyman’s Summer Love Film Festival

Everyman cinema group is celebrating the arrival of summer with a series of free outdoor screenings overlooking Regent’s Canal. Until Friday 14th July, ‘Summer Love’ returns for a second year, bringing blockbuster bangers, family favourites and cult classics to the big screen at King’s Cross; there’ll also be a special LGBTQ+ programme during Pride and live Royal Opera House screenings. Highlights include Romeo + Juliet, Stand by Me, Before Sunrise, Pride, Manhattan, The Karate Kid, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Independence Day. Royal Opera House screenings include Carmen on 2nd July and Marriage of Figaro on 9th July.

King’s Cross, N1C 4TB; until 14th July

Visit KingsCross.co.uk