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NEW FOR 2025: Nine handpicked films will hit the big screen under a giant canopy at Calderstones Park this October half term as national Shared Reading charity The Reader brings Spooky Cinema to the Mansion House.
Liverpool’s biggest open-air cinema returns to the historic Calderstones Mansion for spooky season after a summer of sell-out screenings.
Nine hand-picked Halloween favourites from children’s storybook animations to top family-friendly picks, an iconic Hitchcock mystery thriller and cult classics will be screened under canvas in a giant canopy during October half term from Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November.
Jen Chapman, Associate Director of Marketing, Communications & Digital at The Reader, the UK’s largest Shared Reading charity, said: “It’s been a joy this summer to welcome thousands of people to our beautiful garden for our first ever season of cinema. We’ve been absolutely blown away with how successful it’s been, so we’re creating more movie magic for the spooky season.
“This time we’re installing a giant canopy in the garden to help audiences stay cosy, and we’ll of course be bringing back our gorgeous homemade food, cocktails and hot drinks to enjoy in the autumnal atmosphere.”
This autumn’s film selection has been carefully selected to suit everyone from early years to families and adults and will be showing at three different times during the day: morning for toddlers, afternoon for family-friendly films and evening for grown-ups.
The season starts with a half-hour animation of Julia Donaldson’s beloved picture book, Room on the Broom, about a witch, a broomstick and a jealous cat aimed at the youngest of cinema-lovers. It will be showing indoors in the cosy Mansion House Theatre Room on Tuesday 28 October and Wednesday 29 October, at 11.30am.
Four family-friendly films will each be screened outdoors under the cover of a canopy in the Mansion House Garden at 4pm – Hocus Pocus (PG) Disney’s beloved Halloween comedy starring Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker on Tuesday 28 October and Friday 31 October, and Hotel Transylvania (U) the first in the animated vampire series will be showing on Wednesday 29 October.
Fans of Netflix’s Wednesday will enjoy the dark humour of witty 1990s movie sequel, The Addams Family Values (PG), on Thursday 30 October, starring Anjelica Huston and Christina Ricci.
As we say goodbye to Halloween and start to look ahead to the festive season, the family ‘Spooky Cinema’ ends with The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG) – Tim Burton’s 1993 stop-motion masterpiece on Saturday 1 November.
In the evenings there will also be five films for grown-ups showing under canvas on the big screen at 8pm. The week opens with Hocus Pocus (PG) on Tuesday 28 October, and continues with Practical Magic (12) on Wednesday 29 October, based on Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel, this funny, mischievous film turned cult classic sees Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters from a line of witches bound by a family curse – with a killer soundtrack.
See Hitchcock’s classic 1954 thriller Rear Window (PG), for the ultimate masterclass in tension and suspense starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly, on Thursday 30 October, followed by Tim Burton’s offbeat afterlife comedy Beetlejuice (15) with Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder, on Friday 31 October.
Dig out your fishnets and get ready to time warp for the grand finale on Saturday 1 November, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (15), which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
TREATS & SEATS
Doors will open 30 minutes before Room on the Broom at 11am for a 11.30am screening in the Mansion House Theatre Room. For all other films gates to the Mansion House Garden will open an hour before screening, except for The Rocky Horror Picture Show when gates will open 90-minutes before the film.
Doors open 3pm for 4pm screenings Practical Magic and Beetlejuice gates to Mansion House Garden and canopy will open at 7pm for an 8pm screening, and 6.30pm for an 8pm screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Arrive early and soak up the atmosphere with music, food and drinks. Pre-orders will be taken for Hot Dogs (VE available) £8, Nachos with cheese, salsa, and guacamole, sour cream and optional jalapenos, (VE available), £8, and Pizzas (Margherita or Pepperoni, VE available), £14.
Treat yourself to a bottle of fizz for £25 or a bucket of Peroni beers (six bottles) for £20. Book a deckchair for £5 or bring your own picnic blanket.
Tickets cost £14.50 for adults and £9.50 for under 16s. Calderstones members will be able to save 10% and receive priority booking from today (Thursday 28 August) at 5pm. General sale will open from Tuesday 2 September. All bookings can be made here.
All profits will support The Reader’s charitable work transforming lives through literature in Liverpool and beyond. The new outdoor cinema has been made possible thanks to a grant by social investor Livv Investment, part of Livv Housing Group, based in Prescot.
For further information and film bookings please visit thereader.org.uk/cinema
FULL LIST OF FILMS:
11am for 11.30am screenings 3pm for 4pm screenings 7pm for 8pm screening
MINI MOVIES
Short and sweet morning screenings will take place for the littlest cinema lovers inside The Reader’s cosy Mansion House Theatre Room. Doors open: 11am for 11.30am screening
Room on the Broom (U)
Tuesday 28 October & Wednesday 29 October, 11.30am
“There’s always room on the broom for my friends and me!” Soar away with this beautiful, animated film of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s charming story about a kind witch, friendship and making space for others.
2012 / 25min
FAMILIES
Hocus Pocus (PG)
Tuesday 28 October & Friday 31 October, 4pm
“Come little children, the time’s come to play. Here in my garden of magic.” Be spellbound with the iconic Halloween adventure for all the family. Expect crafty witches, talking cats, a race against the clock and a cauldron full of Disney magic.
1993 / 1h 36min
Hotel Transylvania (U)
Wednesday 29 October, 4pm
“Ok honey, be safe! Bring warm clothes and a sword.” Take a trip to Hotel Transylvania in this heartwarming and gorgeously animated film about family, growing up and embracing difference.
2012 / 1h 31min
The Addams Family Values (PG)
Thursday 30 October, 4pm
“I’m not perky.” This mischievous and perfectly cast big screen outing for spooky seasons’ most famous family is packed with hilarious moments and unforgettable lines.
1993 / 1hr 34min
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Saturday 1 November, 4pm
“I could conquer the world with one hand, as long as you are holding the other.” As we say farewell to Halloween for another year, join Jack Skellington the Pumpkin King, as he schemes to steal Christmas in Tim Burton’s darkly heartwarming masterpiece.
1993 / 1h 16min
GROWN UPS
Hocus Pocus (PG)
Tuesday 28 October, 8pm
“Come little children, the time’s come to play. Here in my garden of magic.” Be spellbound with the iconic Halloween adventure for all the family. Expect crafty witches, talking cats, a race against the clock and a cauldron full of Disney magic.
1993 / 1h 36min
Practical Magic (12)
Wednesday 29 October, 8pm
“There’s a little witch in all of us.” Part romance, part thriller, this cosy classic celebrates sisterhood, magic, and iconic 90s style. Immerse yourself in autumnal scenery and get ready to embrace your inner witch.
1998 / 1h 44min
Rear Window (PG)
Thursday 30 October, 8pm
“Right now, I’d welcome trouble.” Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece of suspense is a tightly woven tapestry of human relationships and slow building tension. This classic will have you on the edge of your seat.
1954 / 1h 50min
Beetlejuice (15)
Friday 31 October, 8pm
“Let’s turn on the juice and see what shakes loose.” Tim Burton’s brilliantly bizarre comedy horror features an all-star cast, a heady dose of 80s nostalgia and an unforgettable, offbeat soundtrack. Day-O!
1988 / 1h 32min
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (15)
Saturday 1 November, 8pm
“Don’t dream it, be it.” Dig out your fishnets and get ready to time warp as the ultimate cult movie turns 50 this year. A wildly theatrical celebration of self-expression and liberation.
1975 / 1h 40min
TICKET LINK HERE: thereader.org.uk/cinema