Sunset Cinema in Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza

Sunset Cinema is a series of free outdoor movies that take place in the plaza outside Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Wednesday evenings in the summer.

In 2025 the free outdoor movies took place in the plaza on August 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. Dates for the movies in 2026 are to be confirmed.

See our article about Free Vancouver Outdoor Movies for a list of free films showing in different communities around the Lower Mainland. Other articles that might be of interest include Vancouver on a Budget, Free Events in July, and Free Lower Mainland Outdoor Concerts. Continue reading to learn about the films that screened outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this past summer.

Vancouver’s Sunset Cinema

Sunset Cinema is hosted by Vancouver Civic Theatres which is owned and operated by the City of Vancouver. The organization manages the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Orpheum, Vancouver Playhouse, ANNEX and šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn (formerly known as the Queen Elizabeth Theatre Plaza).

Three free movies showed in the plaza in front of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre this past summer. Organizers cancelled the scheduled fourth movie. The theatre is located at 630 Hamilton Street. The plaza itself is on West Georgia Street across from the CBC Building and kitty-corner to the main Vancouver Public Library.

A film showed every Wednesday in August, 2025. This year’s schedule is listed below. The shows started at dusk and the times given below were approximate.

August 6th, 2025 – Shrek at around 9:00 pm (Cancelled)
August 13th, 2025 – The Wild Robot at around 8:45 pm
August 20th, 2025 – Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark at around 8:30 pm
August 27th, 2025 – Mean Girls at around 8:15 pm

The films are shown on a large inflatable screen. Bring your own blankets or chairs to sit on, and pillows too if you want. Pre-show entertainment begins at 7:00 pm.

Sunset Cinema Video

Check out the video below to get an idea of what the Sunset Cinema event looks like. The video shows scenes of the event from 2022. There was also free face painting and live music before the film.

Tips & Advice

Below are some suggestions and things to know to help you make the most of your outdoor movie experience.

TIP #1: Take public transit if you can. The Stadium-Chinatown SkyTrain Station is close, and Vancouver City Centre Station isn’t too far either.

TIP #2: Take a blanket or warm sweater. It can get cool in the evenings, especially in the second half of August. Bring your own chair too if you can.

TIP #3: Arrive early to get a good seat.

TIP #4: In the past, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre has sometimes (but not always) set up a bar and licensed area outside prior to the show. Be sure to take photo ID if you want an adult (19+) beverage.

TIP #5: If your hearing is an issue, sit close to one of the speakers.

TIP #6: Another free series of events outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in the summer is Dance Dance Dance. If you like dancing and want to learn new steps, check it out too.

Movie Night at Queen Elizabeth Plaza

Other Information

See the Vancouver Civic Theatres website for more information about the movies and other events.

See our article about Free Vancouver Outdoor Movies for details about other similar film opportunities.

Free live music performances take place all over the Lower Mainland too. Click Free Outdoor Concerts to learn about them.

Other articles that might be of interest include the following:

The plaza where Summer Cinema takes place is officially called šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn which means “a place where a cultural gathering occurs” in the Coast Salish language. It is pronounced (very approximately) as Hoot-lacken or Hoot-awe-shen.