Don’t miss out on the most talked-about films of the summer, including the gravity-defying Wicked and the action-packed Gladiator II. Enjoy these films through a stunning outdoor cinema experience, in some of Australia’s most beautiful parklands across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
Delight in a fantastic line-up of family-friendly films guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages. Dive back into the ocean with Moana 2, where the beloved hero returns for another thrilling adventure. Journey to the Pride Lands in Mufasa: The Lion King, an epic prequel that explores the rise of one of Disney’s most iconic characters. Sonic 3 races onto the big screen, bringing Sonic and his friends face-to-face with a powerful new enemy in an electrifying adventure.
As always, Moonlight Cinema brings a treasure trove of nostalgic favourites to the big screen. Relive the hilariously awkward charm of Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001), laugh along to the body-swapping chaos of Freaky Friday (2003), experience magic in the air with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001), discover your royal roots with The Princess Diaries (2003), and go on a princess-saving adventure with Shrek (2001).
Also on offer are a captivating line-up of new releases and preview screenings. On 22nd January, A Complete Unknown presents an electrifying portrayal of Bob Dylan’s rise to fame, starring Timothée Chalamet. Conclave, screening on 8th January, takes audiences into the heart of the Vatican in a tense thriller about the secretive process of electing a new Pope. On 30th January, Maria, starring Angelina Jolie, delves into the final days of a legendary opera singer in 1970s Paris.
January 2025 Program
Hollywood Hits: The movies that have fuelled this year’s blockbuster summer.
- Wicked – 2nd January (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide), 14th January (National), 21st January (Sydney, Melbourne), 24th January (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide). The dazzling adaptation of the Broadway musical, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, telling the untold story of the witches of Oz.
- Gladiator II – 4th January & 15th January (National). The epic sequel to Gladiator, starring Paul Mescal. The story picks up years after Maximus’ death, exploring the power struggles of the Roman Empire.
- Moana 2 – 1st January (Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide), 2nd January (Sydney), 23rd January (National). Disney’s Moana returns, featuring the voices of Auli’i Cravalho and Dwayne Johnson as they embark on a new oceanic adventure.
- Mufasa: The Lion King – 17th January (National). An epic prequel to The Lion King, exploring the rise of Mufasa, voiced by Aaron Pierre, and his journey to becoming king of the Pride Lands.
- Paddington in Peru – 5th January (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide), 26th January (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide). The lovable bear is back! Follow Paddington, voiced by Ben Whishaw, as he travels to Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy in this heart-warming family movie.
- Better Man – 1st January (Sydney), 2nd January (Melbourne), 10th January (National), 21st January (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide). A musical biopic about Robbie Williams untold rise to fame. Starring Robbie Williams and featuring his biggest hits.
- Sonic 3 – 9th January (National) & 18th January (Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide). The next instalment in the Sonic franchise, starring Ben Schwartz, as Sonic and his friends face a new nemesis threatening their world.
- Heretic – 12th January (National). A psychological horror film starring Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East as two missionaries who attempt to convert a reclusive man (Hugh Grant) who is more dangerous than he seems.
- A Real Pain – 24th January (Sydney, Melbourne) & 19th January (Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide). A Real Pain is a powerfully funny, emotionally resonant dramedy starring Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin.
- Anora – 5th January (Sydney, Melbourne). Anora, a sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and marries the son of an oligarch. Her fairy-tale is threatened as his parents set out for New York to get the marriage annulled.
- Emilia Perez – 19th January (Sydney, Melbourne). A French musical crime comedy film from renegade auteur Jacques Audiard. An audacious fever dream that defies genres and expectations.
Preview Screenings and New Releases: See the latest movies that everyone is talking about at Moonlight Cinema throughout January.
- A Complete Unknown – 22nd January. A biographical drama exploring the life of Bob Dylan, starring Timothée Chalamet. The electric true story behind the rise of one of the most iconic singer-songwriters in history.
- Conclave – 8th January (National). A tense thriller set in the Vatican, starring Ralph Fiennes. The film follows the secretive process of electing a new Pope, unravelling political intrigue and hidden agendas.
- Maria – 30th January (Day of Release Screening, National). The tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris starring Angelina Jolie.
- September 5 – 29th January (National). During the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American sports broadcasting crew finds itself thrust into covering the hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.
- We Live in Time – 16th January (Day of Release Screening, National). A tender romance starring Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, exploring the complexities of love and loss through a beautifully woven narrative.
Retro Titles: It wouldn’t be Moonlight Cinema without nostalgic, feel-good flicks this season.
- Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) – 28th January (National). The beloved romantic comedy classic starring Renée Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant.
- Freaky Friday (2003) – 25th January (National). The hilarious family comedy starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, where a mother and daughter switch bodies and must navigate each other’s lives for a day.
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001) – 3rd January (National). The magical adventure that started it all, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint as they embark on their first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
- Shrek (2001) – 7th January (National). The classic animated comedy featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, following the unlikely hero Shrek on his quest to rescue Princess Fiona.
- The Princess Diaries (2001) – 11th January (National). The charming coming-of-age comedy starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews, about a teenager who discovers she’s the heir to a European kingdom.
What’s On At Moonlight
There’s so much to enjoy at Moonlight Cinema, with carefully curated experiences available for the ultimate summer atmosphere. Enjoy the balmy summer nights with on-site activations, product samples, kitchens, bars and the comfiest bean beds humans (or four-legged friends^) could ask for!
- Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling Platinum Experience
Enjoy the ultimate Moonlight Cinema experience at select viewings across Australia with complimentary Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling for each selected guest as well as a food package and enjoy personal waiter service direct to a deluxe double bean bag.
- Singapore Airlines Gold Grass
For prime views and waiter service, you can’t go past Singapore Airlines Gold Grass, with a range of food and beverage options to order straight to your bean bed.
- Connoisseur Lounge
For the ice-cream lovers, tickets to the Connoisseur Lounge come with a bean bed in a reserved area and an indulgent Connoisseur Gourmet Ice Cream stick. Pick from a choice of decadent flavours including the new Honeycomb & Australian Honey Flavour.
- K9 Natural
As a beloved dog-friendly night out, if you treat your fur baby to the Gold Grass experience they will receive a full-size product, thanks to Moonlight’s pet food partner, K9 Natural
- Official Aperol Spritz Bar
The Italian spritz synonymous with summer returns, providing freshly made Aperol Spritz as well as Espolon Tequila Sparkling Margarita cans available for purchase all season long. Plus, attendees can enjoy the ‘summer spritz hour’ with a special offer on Aperol Spritz for the first hour after gates opening.
- Garnier Garden Cart
Moonlight Cinema guests will also be able to take home samples of some of Garnier’s most popular products at the Garnier Garden Cart. The leading natural beauty brand is this year’s official Beauty partner and will be onsite throughout the season at movie screenings across the country.
As always guests can also prepare their own picnics, bring along refreshments and enjoy one of Australia’s quintessential summer experiences^^ (Moonlight Cinema is BYO in all locations apart from Brisbane).
TICKETS AND PROGRAMMING:
Tickets are on sale now for sessions between 21 November and 30 January at moonlight.com.au with more sessions and movie titles to be announced soon.
WHERE & WHEN:
- Adelaide: Botanic Park, 28 November – 16 February
- Brisbane: Roma Street Parklands, 21 November – 16 February
- Melbourne: Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 29 November – 30 March
- Perth: Kings Park & Botanic Garden, 5 December – 30 March
- Sydney: Centennial Parklands, 22 November – 30 March
^ Moonlight Cinema is dog-friendly at all locations apart from Perth.
^^ Moonlight Cinema is BYO at all locations apart from Brisbane.
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