Moonlight Flicks open-air cinema returns to the North West for a blockbuster summer of films

Storyhouse’s Moonlight Flicks returns this summer with 50 screenings of movie magic.

The 2022 programme of big screen entertainment opens Friday 1 July and will take place at four venues across the region.

Open-air cinema is back in the stunning setting of Chester Cathedral’s Dean’s Field for a third year. There are also screenings every Friday in July and August at Claremont Farm in Wirral. The popular Snugburys Ice Cream at Park Farm near Nantwich is once again joining the Moonlight Flicks film family. It will host cinematic favourites on Saturday evenings in July and August.  And brand new for 2022 The Lambing Shed in Knutsford joins the bill.

Almost 50 separate screenings are taking place between July and September with more dates and titles set to be added in coming weeks. Films start as the sun sets.

Moonlight Flicks opens with a weekend of popular favourites. On Friday 1 July the season launches at Claremont Farm with the Elton John biopic Rocketman, then on Saturday 2 July Dean’s Field will host Mamma Mia! and Snugbury’s Dirty Dancing. 

New titles this year include Spielberg’s Oscar and BAFTA award winning West Side Story, Lady Gaga fashion-world epic House of Gucci, Disney’s origin story Cruella and Marvel blockbuster Spiderman No Way Home.

Other big screen treats planned over the summer months include family, cult, comedy and musical film favourites.

Films for all the family include Encanto, and Jurassic Park The Lost World which marks its 25^th anniversary. Sister Act will also be celebrating a 30-year anniversary and the classic Singin’ In The Rain reaches 70 years, both films can be seen at the Dean’s Field.

Cult and retro choices include Pulp Fiction, Stand By Me, and 10 Things I Hate About You. Plus, 80s favourites Pretty Woman and When Harry Met Sally.

Each location will have refreshments on offer including delicious pre-ordered pizzas available at Dean’s Field.

Nicky Beaumont, Film and Digital Programme Manager at Storyhouse, said: “Every year Moonlight Flicks just seems to get bigger, we have more film choices than ever before this summer. It’s such a fun way to catch a classic or revisit a favourite with friends, colleagues, or family, watching films together and sharing a memorable experience”. 

“And it’s also fantastic to be partnering with new organisations like The Lambing Shed near Knutsford, enabling film fans across the whole region to enjoy the magical experience of late-night cinema under the stars.” 

Snugburys’ Director Hannah Goodwin said: “We’re so excited to be welcoming back Moonlight Flicks to Snugburys this summer. We can’t wait to see the huge cinema screen amongst our beautiful wildflowers and huge straw bee sculpture”. 

Andrew Pimbley from Claremont Farm said:

We couldn’t be happier to be partnering up again with the wonderful Storyhouse, to bring our audiences an incredible line up of films to Claremont.  

 Moonlight Flicks was launched in 2013 and was initially held in the surroundings of Chester’s historic Roman Gardens.

Tickets are on sale now at moonlightflicks.co.uk