It's really clear that this is something that everyone HAS to do at least once in their life. Gold Grass plucked my Moonlight Cinema cherry and thank goodness for that. I hate to say it but I don't know if I could go again without being Gold Grass. Tickets were over $30 and you got a bean-bed and a complimentary cidar. It was fun, I have to admit. The issues I had were probably minor overall and hopefully this review will save someone from the madness we experienced so listen carefully. Make sure you have printed out your ticket, NOT your receipt. If you take your receipt to the front of the line to get scanned, you will have to go back to the box office to get the tickets printed out. Take some food if you don't want to wait in line for a VERY long time and on this particular night, they sold out of ice blocks and ice creams. It was a great night. Would I do it again? Yep, but only if I didn't mind parting with over $30 for Gold Grass. I loved having the extra space!! read more

Moonlight Cinema - Cinema Near Me - Adelaide, SA

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4-stars, but only if the stars align. The perfect conditions: If it's a hot day, rug up anyway - it gets much cooler in the Botanic Park than the surrounding city. So make sure you have something to keep you warm, even if it has been a hot day Arrive early. Films begin at about 8.30-9PM, but consider getting there at 7.30 when the cinema opens. You'll want a good spot on the grass. Bring a picnic and some wine and make an evening of it. Bring some cushions, or hire a beanbag. The beanbags are comfy, and the ground is cold. Bring bug repellant. No explanation necessary. If you do all that and have picked the right movie, it's a great relaxing night out in the fresh air with great food and drink. If you arrive late and get a crappy spot at the back, it can be terrible. read more

I feel like the Moonlight Cinema is getting a bit tired. I booked tickets for my husband & I to go over the Christmas/ New Year break & because we are so busy over this period I wanted to make it as easy for ourselves as possible. I booked Gold Grass tickets becuse they include a bean bag each, meaning we wouldn't need to lug in our own chairs/ bean bags. I also did my reasearch on their website & saw that they had a fair bit of hot food available - meaning we could grab dinner there & not have to worry about packing a picnic or anything (don't get me wrong, I know that's part of the fun, but on this particular day I just wasn't going to have time to get this organised). Gold Grass tickets cost $32 each which includes entry, a bean bag & an 'exclusive' section near the front. The first thing that ticked me off was seeing that I could've paid for regular entry ($18) & then paid $9 to hire a bean bag, working out cheaper. The 'exclusive' section is hardly that - people who had regular tickets were setting up just as close to the screen on either side of us. Next we went up to order food & was told all they could provide from the sizeable menu was hot dogs due to a broken gas line - shortly after we got our hot dogs, there was an annoucement saying they couldn't even do those anymore. I understand that these things happen, but they way the guy at the booth told us, it sounded like it had been an ongoing issue - there was no mention of it on the website or on their Facebook & Twitter pages, which I'd been checking regularly. Thank godness we lined up early enough to even get a hot dog, otherwise we would've been going hungry. The final thing that annoyed me, was that all correspondence I received stated that the film started at 8:30pm. It was 9:10pm until the film got going - I know I should just relax & go with it, but we had a nearly hour drive home, so by the time the film finished, we got out of there pretty late. Note - I've since looked on the FAQS page on the website & have seen that they say the movie will start around 8:50pm in December, but all tickets, etc stated 8:30pm. Perhaps I just went on a bad day. It is certainly still a fun concept & I will still go back in the future, I just felt that this visit was a bit hit & miss. read more

Word to the wise: Like me, you might think it's appropriate to get drunk at any social event where alcohol is permitted. Not so at Moonlight cinemas. The combination of darkness, people lying around everywhere which to the slightly inebriated may look like blankets or simply grass, and the distance you need to walk to the toilets are three reasons why you should not get drunk here. Enjoy your fancy dips and cheeses and have a glass or two of champagne by all means, but don't get slobbering rat shit drunk and fall on innocent people trying to enjoy the film. Save the drinking for after, in a bar or home where you can see the floor clearly and the bathrooms are in sight. Unless you're going to see Johnny English Reborn, in which case you should probably get shit faced before you get there. read more

Bring a bean bag and get in early because there is no designated seating and if you have a bean bag you'll be a little higher than everyone else because a giraffe is always going to sit in front of you. Also, the bathrooms are a bit of a walk and imagine trying to find your way back, it's ultra confusing and with the projector flickering it's like being a rabbit caught in headlights. You'd think there would be a lot of making out going on here but there isn't, even though there's alcohol involved and picnic rugs. Go on a warm evening and lather up with insect repellent because they aren't going to let you burn mosquito coils or light tiki torches around your stake of ground. It's $18 a ticket, but who's been to the indoor movies lately? I nearly choke every time I pay, it costs about that much anyhow and then more for munchies. Great for a date when you don't feel like talking. read more

Laze on the grass with a picnic and a glass of your favourite, watch great movies and gaze at the stars during the boring bits!. Simply a great place to kickback for a night! read more

The following review is rated: PG 13. It contains adult themes and drug references. Balmy nights with friends, cider, Camembert and the latest Sherlock Holmes movie on an outdoor screen...yeah, summer's pretty sweet around these parts. Moonlight Cinema has been around for a while now, and along with the Fringe Festival and WoMad, it's one of those events that let you know summer has officially arrived in Adelaide. Botanic Park is the perfect setting for an outdoor cinema: central, spacious and just plain pretty with all those established trees and gently rolling hills: just add picnic blanket and cushions. As the sunset fades to black, you can enjoy the latest blockbuster or cult film (as well as make out under cover of darkness). Chloe has some good words of wisdom: bug spray, your own picnic basket and a full wallet are all nonnegotiable. At $18 a pop, it's not super cheap, but it is super fun and a must do for summer. My only complaint is that the program can get a bit predictable. Ferris Bueller...again? It would be great to see some genuine surprises rather than the same old "cult" films every year, but that said, I can't stay angry. I just like you too much, Moonlight Cinema. read more

You've gotta do this once. You might not do it again, but you've got to try it. I can see how people come back again and again. It's expensive, but then again, going to the movies is an expensive experience these days. The fact that you're outdoors makes it a bit more special, or rather, a bit more novel than seeing movies in the conventional manner. Two must-haves are insect repellant and money. I think the mozzies enjoy the night more than the movie-goers. They don't have to line up for their food! Do it once, and if you never do it again, then you can cross it off your list of stuff to do before you kick the bucket. read more

Going to the movies can be a bit pointless now you can download almost anything online and watch it in your own home, in your own bed even. But when it's summer in Adelaide - hot enough to sleep all day and stay out all night wearing only a singlet and shorts - it makes sense that you might want to watch a movie with your friends. Outdoors even. In the moonlight. Yeh, Moonlight Cinema. Situated in the beautiful park behind the Botanic Gardens, Moonlight Cinema is set up every summer in Adelaide amongst the giant, dream-like Moreton Bay Figs. It's pretty magical and all, but you'll need a few tips: 1. Bug spray. If you expect to enjoy the movie, or even SEE the movie, turn yourself into a bug-free zone. I'm not joking, this is Australia, the park is next to a river, there are A LOT of bugs. 2. Get ready to fork out. The prices for Moonlight Cinema have slowly risen over the years. But y'know it is an outdoor cinema, and it is pretttttty, pretty good. There is something magical about watching flies swim around in the film projector light. 3. Or don't fork out. Wednesdays are el cheapo day. Or to save money on other days, don't forget your bus ticket (if you caught a bus there you get a discount on your ticket) and your student card. 4. Chairs, rugs, beanbags, whatever you can fit in your boot/bike rack/backpack. 5. BYO. The food here is pricery, just like at the normal cinema. Suggestions: cider, a tub of gelati, Malteasers, biscotti. I dunno, you know what to snack on at the movies. Nothing too heavy, it's hot outside. 6. Co-ordinate. Do you and your twenty-million friends want to see a classic or a new film? Moonlight cleverly screen a selection of ye olde faves and quality new stuff. My picks for this year are 'Dirty Dancing', 'Crazy,Stupid,Love', 'Grease Sing-a-Long', and 'The Iron Lady'. Chances are, whatever it is, it's only showing once or twice during the season and everyone else wants to see it too. Buy tickets early, stuff sells out yo. read more

Going to the movies gets a little old, boring, expensive and gross (with the state of the cinema and seats). But the moonlight cinema in the botanic gardens is a great refreshing outdoor experience which is fun and more social. It's great to get all your friends together, pack a picnic, bring some rugs and pillows and hang out in the picturesque parklands for a warm summer night. It's pretty much the same price as the normal movies, and the experience, food, and alcohol availability is much better in my opinion. Get there early to get a spot, eat and drink and chats, before the movie starts when it is dark. The program is a lot better this season, with lots of premiere screenings, plenty of new release movies and some of the old favourites as usual. The Food Business cater there, with more gourmet options than M&Ms and giant cokes. Or like I said before, pack your own to share! There is plenty of parking, and public transport nearby and keep your tickets as you get discount on you movie price. Oh and the toilets are a bit of a walk away, not too far, but make sure you go before the movie! read more

I love the Moonlight Cinema! It's the indicator for the beginning of summer festivities. At $18 a ticket, it's not cheap but it's a different cinema experience and certainly cleaner than most cinemas I might add (except Norwood Hoyts - love it). Everyone decks out on picnic rugs, blankets, and loads up on snacks and yes! Bug spray is important! Botanic Park is a great setting for it; clean and not one of those dodgy parks where you might sit on a syringe. It's a beautiful and established park. I remember watching Napoleon Dynamite here once and it just made the movie 10 times better. The whole experience is fun. With plenty of parking, public transport, on-site food catering and restrooms, you've basically got everything you need. If you do need to stand during the screening though, make sure you don't stand in the same spot for more than 3 seconds - someone is bound to throw skittles at your head. This year they played Paranormal Activity 3 - great fun to have a current horror film and it's a change from the usual cult films. read more

I personally would prefer the air conditioned comfort of a cinema than a moonlit cinema, but I can see this being a big plus for families. I agree with Brad, insect repellant is a must, as is a blanket of some kind, and a man to cuddle up to. read more

All hail the Moonlight Cinema! Such a good idea for the summer season. This is great for everyone; kids, families, lovers, friends. You can go to a plain old cinema anytime, here you can get your picnic on and have a unique evening snuggled up under the stars. Tickets are the standard cinema price, around $18 for an adult ticket. You can bring a little picnic and even some beverages if you wish, or there is a little trailer parked up with some gourmet goodies including pizza and even nougat - score! You can download an app for your phone to suss out what movies are on and other details, or check it out online. I don't recommending a scary movie out here unless you've got balls of steal, because walking through the black park to your car after can be an experience and a half. Bring a picnic rug, some blankets (even if it's hot during the day because trust me it cools down later), pillows, and beanbags. If you forget or can't be bothered you can hire them there. I recommend getting in early to get a good spot because there's no designated seating areas, although gold class tickets get you a better spot I think. I love this place. I bring my country friends here when they come up to visit because its so unique and fun for them. I'm not one for bugs, but as they flew around the projector light they looked like some sort of fireflies glowing around. Absolutely magical and completely serene. read more

You know it's summer when the idea of laying down a blanket with some cheese and wine whilst watching the best picks of the box office. Catch the cult classics to new releases, lounge in the great outdoors gives a friendly atmosphere. Although don't get chatting with the grumpy folks that are fixated on John Travolta's face. read more

It was a great movie however everything else was hopeless! After waiting in line for 40 minutes to order food, we were advised that they had run out of coleslaw for the burgers and there was no substitute. We decided to order southern chicken burgers minus the coleslaw but onion relish and aioli was to be added. We were told to collect the food in 30 minutes, however when we went to collect the supposed ' gourmet meal' it hadn't even been started... Eventually we collected the food after another 30 mins. We regret even going back.. They had obviously run out of hamburger buns as the tiny piece of dried out crumbed chicken was placed between a hot dog roll folded in half with only a dribble of barbecue sauce. I can't even describe the chips- this meal cost us $26. Prior to the movie we made the long trek to the toilet - this really needs to be addressed. We enjoyed the movie, however at a crucial moment the inflatable screen started deflating- missed the end of the movie! When we thought things couldn't get worse, we made the trek to the toilet, only to be greeted with both toilet blocks floating due to blocked and overflowing drains... Probably won't go back - will enjoy the cinema experience indoors from now on. read more