There’s a moment in Los Angeles, just after sunset, when the light fades behind the palms and the city exhales. Blankets stretch across the grass, wine bottles are uncorked, and a screen flickers to life against the mausoleum wall. For 25 years, Cinespia has turned moviegoing into a shared ritual—part cinema, part community, part summer memory. In 2026, that tradition hits a milestone, opening its season where it all began: Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Founded in 2002 by John Wyatt, what started as a single screening has grown into one of the city’s defining cultural gatherings, drawing thousands each night across venues like the Greek Theatre and the Rose Bowl. But the core remains unchanged—people, films, and the quiet electricity of watching something together under the open sky.
Opening Weekend: A Landmark Season Begins
Saturday, May 23, 2026 – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Spielberg’s story of friendship lands as the season opener, a film built for collective emotion. Expect DJ sets before the screening, a free photobooth, and a crowd that leans into nostalgia as bikes fly across the moonlit screen.
Sunday, May 24, 2026 – Moulin Rouge!
Baz Luhrmann’s maximalist love story transforms the cemetery lawn into a Parisian fever dream. Guests arrive dressed for the occasion—sequins, velvet, and theatrical flair—while music, drinks, and the spectacle carry through the night.
Saturday, May 30, 2026 – Mulholland Drive
A Los Angeles story told through David Lynch’s fractured lens, screened in a place that holds the city’s cinematic past. It’s eerie, layered, and fittingly disorienting—one of those nights that lingers long after the credits.
More Than a Screening
Cinespia’s staying power comes from its atmosphere. Each night blends film with live DJ sets, themed photo installations, and a crowd that treats the experience like a ritual. Partnerships, like this year’s collaboration with See’s Candiescelebrating its 105th anniversary, extend the night into something tactile—limited-edition candy boxes, shared treats, small details that anchor the memory.
“What started as a simple idea… has grown into something much bigger,” Wyatt said. “At its core, Cinespia has always been about shared experience and connection.”
That connection is visible on the lawn—groups of friends returning year after year, couples on first dates, families introducing films across generations. It’s Los Angeles in one frame.
Plan Your Night
Tickets move quickly, especially for opening weekends. Arrive early to claim space, bring blankets or low chairs, and lean into the setting—it’s as much about the people around you as it is the film on screen. For more information and to buy tickets, visit cinespia.org
Location: Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hours: Gates typically open early evening; screenings begin at sunset (exact times vary by date).
Photo credits: Photo courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
