Cinema in Manchester and the North

Tom Grieve, Cinema Editor

You might have noticed, but it’s getting warm out there. We’re big proponents of escaping to a cool, air conditioned cinema during the summer months. But increasingly, film lovers are being invited to indulge their passion in the great outdoors.

Pop-up outdoor cinemas are everywhere these days, and why not? Often set in atmospheric locations, these outdoor options are set up for memorable evenings — often with added extras like bars, street food, or as is the case at Kenwood Hall this year, silent discos.

We’ve rounded up a few of the North’s best open-air cinemas. From early season events set in a Peak District cave (perhaps necessary given the northern weather) to films in parks, gardens and epic landmarks.

Of course, that’s not to say we’ve given up on traditional cinema spaces. This month we’re also highlighting a brand new horror film festival with laudable aims, a Godzilla double bill and revival screenings of a couple of our favourite ever flicks.

Our top picks

Kai-June Double Bill: Godzilla & Shin Godzilla at Cultplex

Kai-June Double Bill: Godzilla & Shin Godzilla at Cultplex, Manchester, 10 June 2023, from £10.58 - Book now

Cultplex goes back to the source with this earth shaking Japanese movie double bill.

Shin Godzilla

GASP! Horror Festival at CultPlex

GASP! Horror Festival at Cultplex, Manchester, 17–18 June 2023, from £5.00 - Book now

GASP! Horror Festival arrives in Manchester this June for an inaugural edition dedicated to showcasing diversity in horror.

GASP! Film Festival

MIF23: Jenn Nkiru

Jenn Nkiru, online, 29 June 2023, free entry - Find Out More

Visionary filmmaker Jenn Nkiru turns her attention to Manchester with a brand new short film.

Sight & Sound Top 10/ Beau Travail at Picturehouse at FACT

Beau Travail at FACT, City Centre, 24 June 2023, from £8 - Book now

Recently voted as one of the greatest films ever made,  Claire Denis’ staggering reworking of Herman Melville is one of our favourites too.

FACT

Moonlight Flicks at Chester Cathedral

Moonlight Flicks at Chester Cathedral, Cheshire, 14 July–2 September 2023, from £13.50 - Book now

Moonlight Flicks up camp in the picturesque surrounds of Chester Cathedral this summer with a range of films for all the family.

Jurassic Park

The Village Screen Pop-Up Cinema at Kenwood Hall, Sheffield

The Village Screen Pop-Up Cinema at Kenwood Hall at Kenwood Hall Hotel, Sheffield, 24 August–10 September 2023, from £14.00 - Book now

Kenwood Hall hosts its own set of outdoor screenings — with a twist.

The Village Screen

Adventure Cinema at Stanley Park, Blackpool

Adventure Cinema at Stanley Park at Stanley Park Blackpool, Blackpool, 22–24 September 2023, from £15.50 - Book now

Watch the stars under the stars at Blackpool’s Stanley Park this September.

Adventure Cinema

The Bay International Film Festival at Reel Cinema Morecambe

The Bay International Film Festival at Reel Cinema Morecambe, Morecambe, 27–29 October 2023, from £5.00 - Book now

Brand new this year, The Bay International Film Festival is set to delight movie buffs from Morecambe and beyond.

The Bay International Film Festival

More cinema events

Cinema
MIF23: Jenn Nkiru

Visionary filmmaker Jenn Nkiru turns her attention to Manchester with a brand new short film.

free entry
Things to Do in Liverpool
Spotlight on

Things to Do in Liverpool

Our guide to the thriving city of Liverpool, where new creative futures are written against the backdrop of a unique history.

Take me there

Cinema in Manchester and the North

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Now back open with a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

The Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield
Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield

Winner of the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, The Hepworth in Wakefield is easily one of the leading cultural highlights of the North.

The Whitworth
Manchester
Gallery
The Whitworth

This much-loved gallery-in-a-park is open for business, showcasing some of the city’s finest contemporary and historic exhibitions.

Salford
Restaurant
Black Friar

Salford’s Black Friar has one of the most impressive Sunday roast options in the North.

Velvet Hotel
Canal Street
Hotel
Velvet Hotel

Velvet Hotel is a 4* boutique hotel on Canal Street, the heart of Manchester’s famous Gay Village.

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

There's no rest for the art lover - this month brings outdoor sculpture, musings on water, political drawings and Liverpool Biennial 2023!

Music

We look towards a summer filled with quality festivals, from cultural behemoths to grassroots gems.

Winnie the Pooh at Manchester Opera House
Families

The sun has finally got his hat on! Enjoy our top picks of family-friendly events and activities, both indoors and outdoors.

Classical Music

Summer's classical music calendar is filling up nicely! Read our top picks of concerts happening in Manchester and the North.

Gerry Potter (credit Lee Baxter)
Literature

Books are big this summer, with festival readings, poetry slams, creative writing activities and famous faces all putting in an appearance.

Food and Drink

All signs point toward June being a scorcher of a month, so let’s take a look at all things summery food and drink.

Tours and Activities

From literary activities to brilliant independent shops, keep your minds and homes filled with the good stuff this month.