I Paid $150 to See a Movie at the Opera House: Was it Worth it?

⛰️ Key Details:

📍 Location: Sydney Opera House

🚗 Getting There: 3 minute walk from Circular Quay Train Station or Circular Quay Ferry Wharf

🎟️ Entry Fees: $150

🎟 Why I Spent $150 on a Movie Ticket

The Opera House is one of my favourite venues for live music. Even though it definitely attracts a slightly older, more ‘advanced age’ crowd I find myself drawn to events hosted in this iconic venue.

So naturally, when I found out that Wong Kar Wai’s cinematic masterpiece In The Mood For Love was playing live in concert, I had to cop tickets. Booking last minute, the only seats left were the Premium $149.90 tickets, so I reluctantly paid and got ready for the concert.

Of course, the price tag wasn’t just for the movie screening—it was primarily for the live performance by a 39-piece orchestra led by award-winning conductor Guy Noble. The evening began with a short medley before transitioning into a full screening of the film, concluding with an encore performance after the credits rolled.

If you haven’t seen the movie, one thing to know is that Yumeji’s Theme plays nine times throughout its runtime—a signature Wong Kar Wai touch, where music serves as a central motif in the film’s pacing and storytelling. Normally, hearing the same song on repeat might feel tedious, but experiencing it live gave me a new perspective. Each time the orchestra played Yumeji’s Theme, I found myself reflecting more deeply on its significance within the scenes and the overall story.

I also gained a newfound appreciation for the score by watching the orchestra remain eerily still—like NPCs in a video game—until their next cue. Seeing their discipline and patience, only to spring into motion for those familiar notes, made me respect their artistry in a strangely fascinating way.

💰 Was It Worth the Price?

Yes… and kinda no. I actually google searched this before buying the tickets and now writing about it, it is hard to answer. If you’re simply after a movie screening, then $150 is definitely not worth it, even if you want to check out the Opera House from the inside.

I have been to many other events in the Opera House, from dining in the restaurant to performances by Alfa Mist and Hiatus Kaiyote. With some of the performances, especially during Vivid Sydney (an annual festival of light, music, and ideas in May-June) costing only around $50-$100.

If you did just want to see inside the Opera House, I recommend having a look at some of their guided tours here, which can cost < $50.

So back to the movie experience, the live orchestra is definitely the main selling point. As it adds emotional depth to Yumeji’s Theme in a way that a standard soundtrack never could. The grandeur of the Sydney Opera House also contributed to the atmosphere, making it feel like a special occasion rather than just another night at the movies. It really is one of those “dress up and have a nice dinner kind or night”.

That said, if you choose to do the same event with a different film, I really recommend choosing a film that has a score you genuinely love.

🤔 Final Verdict: Would I Do It Again for Another Film?

It depends on the film. In the Mood for Love is a classic, and hearing its score performed live added a depth that made the experience feel special. The setting, the orchestra, and the overall ambience made it worth it for me —at least once.

However, $150 is a lot for a movie ticket, even with a live orchestra. If it were another film with an equally stunning score and a strong emotional connection, I’d consider it. But for a random blockbuster or a film where the music isn’t as integral? Definitely not.

So while I’m not rushing to do it again with another film, in the much later future, for the right film — yes, I’d do it again.

Thanks for reading! If you are interested in this event or any other events at the Opera House, you can view their What’s On page here.