Outdoor movies are a quintessential NYC summer experience. Here, the best places in the city to catch your favorite big-screen blockbusters under the stars. —
It’s easy to enjoy the summer sunshine, but outdoor movies around the city let you and your family enjoy the summertime stars, too. So many parks and other locations host movie nights this season, making it easy to stay outside into the evening hours. To top it off, most are free!
Movies start at dusk around 8 or 8:30 p.m. (unless otherwise noted), though coming early is a good idea considering how quickly spots fill up. Check out these locations for movies and showtimes.
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series
Free, July 19, 21 and August 22
At a variety of locations in the area, the NYC Parks Summer Movie Series plays. See Happy Feet 2 at Grover Cleveland Park Thursday, July 19 and The Smurfs at Bayswater Park Saturday, July 21. Winnie The Pooh plays at Pomonok Playground on Wednesday, August 22.
Upper West Side
Movies Under the Stars, Pier I in Riverside Park, 70th Street at the Hudson River
Free, Wednesdays, July 11-August 15
Many films being screened this summer are great for adults and a select few are foreign films. The best options for kids are Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure (Wednesday, August 8) and Triplets of Belleville (Wednesday, August 15).
Summer Movie Night, Swindler Cove Park
Free, Tuesday, July 3
The Muppet Movie will be playing on the eve of Independence Day. The light-hearted film will take parents back to earlier times, while the kids might enjoy it as something brand new.
Midtown West
Bryant Park Summer Film Festival, Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets
Free, Mondays, June 18-August 20
Kiddos can enjoy The Wizard of Oz playing July 2 while teens and tweens may enjoy The Adventures of Robin Hood (August 6) or Raiders of the Lost Ark (August 20). Be sure to arrive when the lawn opens at 5 p.m. to get a good view.
Intrepid Summer Movie Series, Intrepid Air & Space Museum, Pier 86
Free, Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, July 13, 20, 27 and August 3 and 17
Watch movies on the flight deck of a giant ship! Films being shown this summer include Spider-Man (July 13), the latest Star Trek (July 20), The Muppets (July 27), Jurassic Park (August 3) and a favorite from the ’80s, The Goonies (August 17).
West Village
RiverFlicks for Kids, Pier 46 in Hudson River Park
Free, Fridays, July 13-August 24
To catch up on the greatest kid films of last year, make sure to mark your calendar for one of these movies: Kung Fu Panda 2 (July 13), Hugo (July 27), Puss in Boots (August 3), Rango (August 10) or The Smurfs (August 24).
Kips Bay
RCN Movie Nights, Waterside Plaza
Free, Mondays, August 6-27
Sit atop a high-rise apartment complex and watch one of these family favorites: The Goonies (August 6), Hook (August 13), Peter Pan (August 20) or Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Pearl (August 27). With limited seating, come early and bring your own chairs and blankets.
Brooklyn
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series, Alfred Smith Park, 80 Catherine Street
Free, Wednesday, July 11
Relax to a movie in the Alfred Smith Park playground area this summer. Families can enjoy Hoodwinked Too, a tale of Red Riding Hood solving the disappearance of Hansel and Gretel.
Syfy Movies with a View, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, Harbor View Lawn
Free, Thursdays, July 5- August 30
At the Brooklyn Bridge Park summer movie series, you get a great view and pre-movie entertainment. E.T: The Extra Terrestrial plays July 5 and truly captures children’s hearts. Take advantage of free valet bike parking, which is courtesy of Transportation Alternatives.
Narrows Botanical Gardens Movie Nights, 7200-7398 Shore Road
Free, Fridays, June 29, July 13, August 3 and September 7
Though it’s less well-known, Bay Ridge has a beautiful botanical garden with green space for you and your family to watch films. This summer, one family-friendly movie you can catch is The Adventures of Milo & Otis on Friday, July 13.
Movies Under the Stars at Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton Street
Free, Sundays, May 20-October 28
As a regular hot spot for free community activities, Habana Outpost does it again. This time with movies. The selection is varied and has some great options for kids and parents like Princess Bride (July 22), Mary Poppins (September 2), Superman II (September 9) and Ghostbusters (October 28).
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series, Betsy Head Memorial Playground
Free, Friday, July 6
Chill out to the silly movie, Kung Fu Panda 2, on a Friday night following Independence Day. The best part is it’s friendly for any age.
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series, Highland Park
Free, Fridays, July 13 and August 3
Hop jumps across the screen on July 13 and Zookeeper plays August 3–both are perfect selections for young children and families.
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series, Jackie Robinson Park
Free, Wednesday, July 18
Grab a blanket and watch Puss In Boots with the little ones July 18.
Queens
Movie Night in Astoria Park, Shore Boulevard between Hell Gate Bridge and the Pool
Free, Mondays, August 6-27
Children’s classic The Lion King plays at Astoria Park August 6. Also playing are Cars (August 13) and Footloose (August 27).
Summer Movie Night, Pembroke Avenue and 254th Street
Free, Tuesday, July 10
Enjoy complimentary popcorn while laughing your backside off to Despicable Me at this Queens movie showing.
Movies Under the Bridge, Little Bay Park
Free, Tuesdays, August 14, 21 and 30
In the outdoor amphitheater near the Throgs Neck Bridge, families can watch The Muppets (August 7) Dolphin Tale (August 14), The Adventures of Tintin (August 21).
Roosevelt Island
Outdoor Summer Movie Series, South Point Park
Free, Saturdays, June 30, July 7, 20, 21, August 4 and 11
In a place of old architecture, vistas and peace, families can sit back and relax to a number of movies showing this summer at South Point Park: Captain America (June 30), Grease (July 7) and The Lion King (August 4).
The Bronx
Rooftop Films at Bronx Terminal Market, 610 Exterior Street
Free, Tuesdays, July 10, 24, August 7 and 21
Atop the market’s parking deck, enjoy movies such as Rango (July 10), Ratatouille (July 24) and Kung Fu Panda (August 21) with special related events preceding each film.
NYC Parks Summer Movie Series
Free, July 7 and 25
At St. Mary’s Park near 145th Street and St. Ann’s Avenue, Transformers is showing Saturday, July 7. Next up on the roster at Joyce Kilmer Park is Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer on Wednesday, July 25.
