There’s the surround sound, the darkness, the salty popcorn and sweet choc tops, and of course, the star of the show- the giant silver screen. Nothing quite beats the magic of the movies, and here are the Gold Coast’s best.
In 1895, the “talkies” arrived in Australia and, while moving pictures had been projected before, this was the first time an audience could watch a film with sound thanks to a kinetophone. Those there were given an earpiece made from a wax cylinder to hear the sound from a phonograph, synchronised with images projected from an Edison kinetoscope.
From 1915 onwards, Hollywood’s Golden Age dawned, launching stars like Cary Grant, Ingrid Berman, Clark Gable and Audrey Hepburn shining bright on the silver screen.
It was the go-to Saturday night date night, from holding hands in the back row to getting cosy in the car, radio hanging on the door, at the drive in.
And the Gold Coast has had its share of the pie. Award-winning director Baz Luhrman nicknamed the city “Goldiewood” thanks to the growing number of big-budget blockbusters being filmed here, including Elvis, Thor, Pirates of the Caribbean and Aquaman.
For children, as it has done for more than 100 years, the smell of buttery, salty popcorn will forever be tied to cinemas with quirky carpet, plush seats and being cocooned in a dark cavern with surround sound and a screen bigger than a school bus.
Create new memories – and relive old ones – with a trip to a Gold Coast cinema, where there’s everything from the latest blockbusters to nostalgic screenings of cult classics, right through to arthouse and indie flicks and touring international film festivals.
YATALA DRIVE IN
Relive the glory days like Danny and Sandy and take your crush to the drive-in cinema at Yatala. Top tier is a ute that you can back in for prime viewing, but for those in a sensible sedan, simply fold the back seat up and make a love-nest out of pillows and blankets. Failing that, deck chairs or beach loungers spread on the grass will work just as well. There are three cinemas operating at once, which fan out from a central 1950s style candy bar featuring a life-sized Elvis and Marilyn. Yatala features new releases but also hosts special screening nights of retro films. Tune in your car stereo - or portable radio - to your screening’s audio and enjoy. Limited old-fashioned radios to hang on your car door are available to hire on Field 1. Dogs are welcome (must be kept on a lead).
100 Stapylton-Jacobs Well Road, Stapylton
HOTA CINEMA
The Home of the Arts Cinema has long been the beating heart of the Gold Coast’s film scene. Hosting the annual 10-day Gold Coast Film Festival - whose red carpet has attracted the likes of Lincoln Lewis, Leah Purcell and Catherine Martin - screenings range from foreign films to new release blockbusters.
The licensed bar allows patrons to take their favourite tipple into the cinema, and the cafe outside is the perfect meeting place to grab a bite before or after the show. For the romantics, squeeze in a drink at the sky-high bar The Exhibitionist at the nearby art gallery.
135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
DENDY CINEMAS
The independent cinema chain opened on the former Gold Coast Hospital site in 2022 with 11 screens that show everything from recent releases to art-house films. Dendy Southport has also hosted various overseas film festivals, including the Chinese Film Festival and the Indian Film Festival. The cinema is fully licensed - so you can enjoy an alcoholic beverage with your popcorn - and the small bar is the perfect place to catch up before the curtains open. Queen Street Village boasts a number of food options if you’re wanting a bigger bite before or after showtime.
Queen Street Village, 129 Queen Street, Southport
MOVIES UNDER THE STARS
Pack a picnic, grab a rug and pillows and take in a movie under the stars. From the Broadwater Parklands to beachside parks, family friendly films are beamed from special outdoor screens. Movies range from recent releases to nostalgic classics - think School of Rock and Air Up There to Mario Bros and Spider-Man. On site are food trucks (and ice cream trucks) if you can’t be bothered bringing your own hamper. And the best part? The screenings are free, thanks to the City of Gold Coast.
Various locations | cityofgoldcoast.com.au/movies
OVER THE BORDER
Known in the 1950s as the Victory Theatre, Brunswick Head’s cinema was abandoned in the 1990s. After sitting dormant for 30 years, it was given a much-needed facelift and has been lovingly restored as the Brunswick Picture House. It is cosy and quaint, with a licensed original bar and snacks and doubles as a home to cheeky cabaret and comedy shows.
In all her art deco regalness, The Regent stands proud in Murwillumbah as it has done since it was built in 1947. Upgraded with air conditioning, surround sound and state-of-the-art production the cinema shows blockbusters, cult classics and arthouse films.
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