If you're up for surrendering your evening (and, realistically, your entire night) to the unknown, the Prince Charles Cinema has you covered. Its Mystery Movie Marathon is exactly what it sounds like: five completely unannounced films, screened back-to-back from 11.30pm until the early hours, with zero clues given in advance. Upcoming dates include Saturday 28 March (11.30pm start), Saturday 25 April (10pm start) and Saturday 30 May (11.30pm start).
There's no theme, no genre hint, and no guarantee you'll like everything you see, which is sort of the point. The line-up is deliberately random, bouncing between styles, eras and tones. You might get a cult classic followed by something obscure, then a blockbuster, then something you've never heard of. It's a gamble, but one that regulars seem happy to take.
Part of the appeal is the shared experience. Everyone's going in blind, and reactions tend to ripple through the room as each new film begins. It's less about curating the perfect watchlist and more about letting someone else take the wheel for the night — for better or worse.
There are a few practicalities to keep in mind. This is strictly 18+, there's no entry after midnight, and the bar shuts at that point too, so if you're planning on snacks or drinks, sort that early. The whole thing runs for around eight hours, wrapping up at roughly 9am, so pacing yourself (and maybe embracing the odd power nap) isn't a bad idea.