If you’re a movie-lover but you’re looking for something slightly different than going to the cinema, we have rounded up some movie themed experiences that we think you’ll love! These activities are based mainly in Brisbane, and then we have some further away for those who want to make a cinema-inspired trip. From living out your Lord of the Rings fantasies in a hobbit home, to listening to famous film scores played at a candlelight concert. We have compiled a list of 6 activities for movie-lovers to ensure that the movie magic doesn’t have to stay on-screen.
Brisbane:
1. Watch A Movie Under The Stars At Sunset Cinema
The Sunset Cinema at Maritime Green in Northshore Hamilton, is an outdoor cinema underneath the trees. It runs from Wednesdays to Saturdays with shows usually starting at 5pm. With a stellar lineup of fantastic films, it’s the perfect spot to gather your friends and family, bring your picnic blanket, and enjoy a night under the stars. Plus, don’t forget to grab some snacks from the on-site snack bar—warm popcorn, choc tops, and yummy sweets and savouries!
2. Celebrate Warner Bros. 100th Anniversary
Mark your calendar for April 22nd, because Warner Bros. will be celebrating 100 years of storytelling with a Candlelight Concert. The St. John’s Cathedral will be illuminated by thousands of flickering candles as a string quartet plays some of the most beloved music from Warner Bros. films and shows.
Music is such an essential part of any film and the Warner Bros. concert will have a program of all the movie classics. It will be a trip down memory lane as well as an evening of incredible music, and a celebration of storytelling.
3. Attend A Felons Free Movie Night
When it comes to films, it’s hard to beat the classics. Felons Brewing Co is proving that by hosting weekly movie nights of all-time favourites, in their Barrel Hall until April 18. The sessions start at 7pm on Tuesdays, giving you plenty of time to have a beer, grab a bean bag and get comfy. Most of the movie nights are child-friendly, so you can bring the kids along for some mid-week entertainment.
4. Go To An Old-School Drive-in Showing
Why not keep things old-school with a trip to the drive-in cinema! Yatala Drive-in in Brisbane is a great way to experience old Hollywood traditions and outdoor theatre. All you need is a FM car or portable radio to tune into the movie audio, and you’re good to go.
Movie-goers can enjoy the classic experience of watching a film under the stars, with a large projector screen and sound system that allows them to enjoy the movie from the comfort of their own car. The drive-in also has a retro snack bar, where you can purchase traditional cinema snacks like popcorn, soft drinks, and hot dogs. The drive-in is open seven nights a week, with screenings starting at dusk.
Further Afield:
5. Stay at Hobbiton Hobbit House
Are you ready for a Hobbit adventure in New Zealand? Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic works, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, can now experience the magical world of Middle Earth right in the countryside of Waikato, New Zealand. For a mere $10 a person, you can stay overnight at Hobbiton, the film set that served as the backdrop for the three Lord of the Rings movies, and The Hobbit sequels! This is all in celebration of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’s 10th anniversary. Making a trip to Hobbiton is a must on any Tolkien fan’s bucket list.
6. Visit The World’s Second “Making Of Harry Potter” Studio
Tokyo is the next hotspot for Harry Potter fans! Two years ago, Warner Bros. Studios declared they would construct the second “The Making Of Harry Potter Studio Tour” in Tokyo, Japan by 2023. The soon-to-be-built mecca for Harry Potter fans would take up part of the now closed Toshimaen Amusement Park in Nerima Ward.
Similar to London’s Harry Potter Studio Tour, the Tokyo version will provide a variety of unique experiences with original costumes, props, and movie sets from the series on display. Visitors will be able to see scenes from the films up close and discover how the world’s favorite book series was brought to life. After all, the real magic of the movies lies in production, not just onscreen.