There is something about watching a film outdoors that no multiplex can replicate. The warmth of a summer evening, the canopy of trees, the gradual shift from golden hour to starlight. For more than 30 years, Moonlight Cinema has delivered exactly this experience, and Adelaide’s Botanic Park will once again host the season from 26 November.
The 2026/27 season opens with The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, screening across the country while it’s still fresh in cinemas. Adelaide’s opening night is 26 November, with additional screenings on 28 November, 3 December and 9 December. The season runs through to 14 February.
What’s screening this summer
The opening weeks bring an appealing mix of new releases, literary adaptations and preview screenings. Anyone who was kept guessing by The Housemaid might try Verity, a psychological thriller starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel. It screens in Adelaide on 5 December.
Austen devotees can look forward to a fresh Sense and Sensibility on 4 December, with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles as the Dashwood sisters and a screenplay by Australian author Diana Reid. The program also includes The Social Reckoning (29 November), Wicker (2 December) and Wild Horse 9 (10 December).
Preview screenings offer the chance to see films before their general release: A Talent for Murder, starring Helen Mirren, screens on 6 December.
Christmas favourites under the stars
From 11 to 23 December, the Christmas Favourites program brings festive traditions to Botanic Park. Love Actually screens on 13, 17 and 23 December. The Polar Express arrives on 15 December, followed by Elf on 19 December, Home Alone 2 on 20 December and Arthur Christmas on 21 December.
New to the Christmas lineup this year is Ebenezer, a ghost story set in Dickens’ London with Johnny Depp as Scrooge, screening on 16 December.
For families, Disney’s Hexed screens on Boxing Day.
The experience
Gates open 90 minutes before each film, giving you time to find your spot, spread out a picnic rug and watch the sun go down before the screen lights up. You’re welcome to bring your own picnic and refreshments, or order from the on-site kitchen and bar via QR code. The kitchen closes 15 minutes before the pre-show starts.
Dogs are welcome at Botanic Park, making it a genuinely social evening out.
Ticket options
Several ticket tiers are available:
General Admission includes entry to the screening. Bring a picnic rug, choose your spot on the grass and settle in.
Connoisseur Lounge gives you a guaranteed bean bed in a dedicated lounge area with a good view, plus a Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream during the film.
GWM Gold Grass offers prime viewing, express entry and a premium bean bed, with food and drinks ordered via QR code delivered straight to you before the film starts.
Cinebuzz members can access special discount pricing. The membership program is free to join.
The details
What: Moonlight Cinema 2026/27 summer season
Where: Botanic Park Adelaide
When: 26 November 2026 to 14 February 2027
Gates: Open 90 minutes before each film
Tickets: moonlight.com.au
Tickets for November and December sessions are on sale now.
Follow Fifty+SA on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
