During the long winter lockdown, the idea of being among friends to enjoy a film on a summer evening, sipping drinks in the intimate surroundings of a Royal Palace was the stuff of dreams.

Now, The Luna Cinema, in partnership with American Express, is back to make those dreams a reality with a summer programme that promises to be its best yet – with over 175 screenings at more than 50 stunning locations, including the first ever cinema screenings to be held at the exclusive grounds of the Sandringham Estate.

Other exclusive new locations in the 2021 summer season include grand stately homes such as Longleat in Wiltshire, Ragley Hall in Warwickshire and Wollaton Hall in Nottingham, urban parks such as London’s Clapham Common and Brockwell Park, alongside regal settings such as the Sandringham Estate, which this year joins existing Luna venues such as Hampton Court Palace, Warwick Castle, Blenheim Palace, Leeds Castle and Westminster Abbey, amongst many others.

The screenings list is just the ticket to banish the lockdown cobwebs and mark a return to feelgood fun: recent favourites like Bohemian Rhapsody, Joker and The Greatest Showman; classics like Casablanca and Some Like It Hot; as well as all the popular perennials, from Top Gun to Dirty Dancing and Jurassic Park to Harry Potter feature in the list.

Tickets go on general release this Friday 7th May, and the season runs from 29th June until 3rd October, launching in uniquely royal style at the Sandringham Estate. Tickets are available to buy from thelunacinema.com, and prices start from £15.50 including booking fees. Audiences can choose to upgrade their general admission ticket with an optional seated upgrade ticket to include use of a Luna director’s chair, or for the ultimate VIP experience guests can opt for the Luna Luxe ticket, which offers two people the chance to watch the film from luxury sofa seating with blankets, heaters, a sharing hamper of food, a bottle of bubbles and a mini cup of luxury ice cream Häagen-Dazs, to complete the cinematic experience.

The Luna Cinema is also this year launching its “Summer of Surprise” initiative where guests who are celebrating a special occasion at Luna, or just want to treat someone they are attending with, can nominate themselves to receive a surprise treat at the screening. From a complimentary drink to a VIP upgrade, it’s all about making this summer as fantastic as possible.

The Luna Bar with Moretti will be present at all screenings serving a full selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as the famous Italian beer itself of course; and there will delicious hot food available at all screenings. Audiences are also welcome to dig out their hampers and pack a picnic (though the bringing of alcohol to the events is restricted). Both food and drink at Luna’s screenings will be available to order using a handy “click and collect” service to avoid time spent queuing.

American Express, the headline partner for 2021, is proud to partner with The Luna Cinema to give people across the UK access to elevated Cinema experiences this Summer. Co-sponsors for the season include Cocio, and Häagen-Dazs, who as “exclusive ice cream partner” will be offering a selection of luxury ice creams to provide a touch of extraordinary indulgence as the perfect movie accompaniment.

George Wood, founder of The Luna Cinema, said “There could hardly be a more anticipated summer than this 2021, post-lockdown, season; every outing we arrange is set to feel special and unique after so long away from the people and activities we love. Cinema has provided the magic of escape through the decades, and we know that The Luna Cinema can bring joy and respite to the lives of movie-goers across the country this summer, more than ever before.

After so many months spent watching films at home, we are delighted to be inviting the country to return to the big screen, with our brand of socially spacious, open air cinema experiences.

So picture this: your favourite film; the people you’ve missed (or just missed spending quality time with); a starry summer sky above, and all around you the most inspiring and beautiful settings: castles, Royal Parks, abbeys, palaces and stately homes. We are promising our guests an outing worthy of the wait – and we are counting down the days to welcoming Britain back to the movies.”