CASTAIC LAKE — Already, summertime LA moviegoers can watch films at rooftop restaurants and in cemeteries. Now Castaic Lake is getting in on the action with Boat Cinema — a film series that lets people take in big screen favorites from the water with their own personal electric mini boat.
Boat Cinema partnered with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation to offer what it says is LA’s first and only on-the-water film experience. The screenings start over Memorial Day weekend in Castaic, 45 minutes north of downtown LA.
This weekend’s films include “Boyz N the Hood,” “Avatar” and “A Perfect Storm.” June’s roster includes “Jaws,” “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl,” “Jurassic World,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Clueless” and “ET,” among others. Boat Cinema will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights through June 26. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Screenings start at 8 p.m. Twenty boats are available per movie.
Each electric mini boat ($279) seats up to five people, or a maximum of 850 pounds. VIP tickets ($329) guarantee front-row seating. But boat phobes don’t need to miss out on the fun. There is also beach seating ($20) for people who prefer their movie watching from land.
Those who reserve a boat can enjoy pizza delivered to their mini boat with a Canoe Concessions service. Twelve-inch made-to-order pizzas, including delivery, cost $25.
Prepared picnics are also available to bring on board. A picnic for two, with sandwiches, sides, chips, desert and sparkling water, is $99. A picnic for four costs $189. Vegan and non-vegan charcuterie boxes are also available at Boat Cinema Beach. Bring your own picnic, and Boat Cinema charges a $30 corkage fee.
Don’t know how to drive a boat? No problem. Boat Cinema says all general admission and VIP ticket holders will get a safety orientation before boarding. Ticket holders then drive their boat with an escort that guides them to their movie watching spot. Once in place, the boats are hooked into a mooring system so they won’t float away. Each boat is equipped with life jackets, including for dogs, who are permitted as long as they weigh less than 30 pounds.