In collaboration with The Grounds*
The Grounds is back for its fourth season of outdoor movie screenings against the stunning backdrop of Hong Kong’s iconic skyline. This year’s film schedule includes cinematic hits from the past year, beloved classics from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, and landmark film franchises. Read on to get the lowdown on everything you need to know about The Grounds, from the ticket tiers and the movie line-up, to the seating options and food and drinks selection.
What is The Grounds?
The Grounds is Hong Kong’s most popular outdoor cinema, which typically opens around the end of the year so that movie buffs can enjoy their favourite films under the city’s starry skies.
The event features a curated selection of movies that audiences can watch from the comfort of premium seating, with state-of-the-art audio systems on a giant LED screen, all while they treat themselves to sought-after food and beverages. And since The Grounds is located on the vibrant Central Harbour, the entire experience is set against the towering skyscrapers and rolling hills of Hong Kong Island.
When and where is The Grounds?
This year’s edition of The Grounds will return to AIA Vitality Park at Central Harbourfront, and will run from November 8-December 22, 2024. The organisers have released the first line-up of films that will be screened from November 8-December 1, 2024. Movies will be screened every Wednesday through Sunday during this time, except for the first weekend, when audiences can book tickets for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
What movies will be screened at The Grounds?
The November schedule of The Grounds will feature an eclectic mix of movies — from blockbuster films and ’90s classics, to musicals and local favourites. We suggest that you turn up early to choose your seats within your ticketing tier as there is no assigned seating.
Show start times will vary, depending on the films being screened, but will broadly follow this schedule:
- Weekday evenings: 5pm-10pm/11pm
- Weekends (daytime shows): 3pm/4pm-6pm/7pm
- Weekend (evening shows): 7pm/8pm-10pm/11pm
Here’s the first line-up of films for The Grounds 2024:
DAY & DATE | FILM |
Friday, November 8 | Chef |
Saturday, November 9 | Barbie Oppenheimer |
Sunday, November 10 | Jurassic Park Chungking Express |
Wednesday, November 13 | Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring |
Thursday, November 14 | Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain |
Friday, November 15 | Titanic |
Saturday, November 16 | Dune: Part 1 Dune: Part 2 |
Sunday, November 17 | La La Land Pretty Woman |
Wednesday, November 20 | Lord of the Rings: The Two Tower |
Thursday, November 21 | Kung Fu Hustle |
Friday, November 22 | Oppenheimer |
Saturday, November 23 | Star Wars: A New Hope Dirty Dancing |
Sunday, November 24 | The Sound of Music The Lunch Box |
Wednesday, November 27 | Lord of the Rings: Return of the King |
Thursday, November 28 | The God of Cookery |
Friday, November 29 | Grease |
Saturday, November 30 | Jumanji Dune: Part 2 |
Sunday, December 1 | Mamma Mia! Crazy Rich Asians |
This is only the first movie line-up release, and the schedule until December 22 will be announced later. Follow The Grounds on Instagram for the latest developments, which we will also keep updating in this article.
How much are tickets for The Grounds?
Tickets for The Grounds will vary depending on the seating options. There are three tiers — a Classic Pod costs HK$500 upwards, Prime Pods are priced starting at HK$1,400, and tickets for Luxe Pods start at HK$2,000. All three tiers include two- and four-person options, and there are solo seats as well. Each four-person pod can accommodate up to six seats, while two-person pods have a maximum of two seats. If you need more than six seats, you may need to purchase an additional pod.
In addition, children under three years old can enter for free, but if you want a seat for a child in this age group, you’ll need to buy a ticket. The Grounds has partnered with American Express as its Preferred Payment Partner, so eligible cardholders can enjoy a 15% discount on all movie screenings. General ticket sales begin at 12pm on October 23, 2024.
What are seating options at The Grounds?
This year, cinephiles can choose from a variety of seating options, such as signature deck chairs, cosy paired bean bags, and plush ‘love seats’, as well as the event’s iconic private pods.
Film screenings will be immersive in every sense of the word, as audience members will get the benefit of state-of-the-art surround sound speakers and high-fidelity headphones for a personalised experience.
What can I eat and drink at The Grounds?
If you’re a regular at The Grounds, you’re no doubt familiar with offerings from BaseHall, the multi-concept food hall in Jardine House with diverse culinary offerings. Order food from the comfort of your seat or pod via QR codes and it’ll be delivered directly to you.
This year, the BaseHall line-up includes Italian from Nocino, traditional cha chaan teng food by CCT by Shop B, spicy Sichuan bowls from Twins Liangpi, handmade pastries from Pinky Bakery, Japanese fusion from Victuals by The Arcane Collective, and more Japanese goodies from Don Bowls & Rolls. Want to round things off with dessert? Gelato Messina has got you covered with movie-themed gelato just for the occasion! Drinks will come from The Grounds bar.
How do I get to The Grounds?
There are several ways to get to AIA Vitality Park, which is the venue for The Grounds:
- MTR: Head to the Hong Kong Station (Exit A2) or Central Station (Exit A), walk towards the Central Star Ferry Pier, and follow the promenade along the harbour to reach The Grounds entrance near the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.
- Ferry: Board a ferry to any of Central Ferry Piers (No.s 2-7). Walk to the entrance, keeping Pier 7 on your left.
- Taxi: Alight at the Star Ferry taxi drop-off point and walk straight ahead to reach the gates.
- Bus: Take a bus to the Central Ferry Piers and walk towards the entrance.
- Car: There is no parking at the venue, but you can park your car at IFC, which is the closest car park.
Join The Grounds 2024
EVENT | The Grounds |
VENUE | Hong Kong Observation Wheel and AIA Vitality Park, 33 Man Kwong Street, Central |
WEBSITE | www.thegroundshk.com |
TICKETS | www.zicket.co/organisers/the-grounds |
Image credits: The Grounds
*This article is the result of a media partnership. To know more, read our Ethics & Transparency statement.