Some
tasty treats, a cozy blanket and your favorite family film under the stars —what better way to spend a breezy NYC night? One of the
quintessential summer adventures for city kids, outdoor movie screenings, most of which are free, are
happening throughout the summer and all over the city, so you’re bound to find the perfect show for your family’s ages, interests and schedule. We’ve compiled a list of the best screenings for families, but made sure to include some adults-only options, perfect for a laid-back night on the town. Now all you need to do is pack your favorite popcorn. Enjoy the show!
Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Perhaps the most famous outdoor movie series in the city, the Bryant Park
Summer Film Festival is
famous for its excellent taste in movies (and sometimes
large crowds.) The movies aren’t specifically geared towards children, though,
so either bring along your tweens or save this one a night out on the town.
Time: Lawn
opens at
begin at
Location:
Ave
Movie
Dates:
Mon Jun 28 –“ Carousel”
Mon Jul 12 – “My Man Godfrey”
Mon Jul 26- “Monty Python And The Holy Grail”
Mon Aug 9 – “The Goodbye Girl”
Mon Aug 23 – “Bonnie and Clyde”
Make flicks on Fridays a
tradition and head on over to
like “The Wizard of Oz” and new hits such as “Monsters vs. Aliens,” there’s
something for everyone. And when the kids are a sleep, have some grown up fun
with RiverFlicks for Grown-Ups on Wednesday nights, showing the biggest
blockbusters of 2009 at Pier 54.
Time: Movies
start at dusk; Free
Location:
Movie Dates:
Jul 9 – “The Wizard of Oz”
Jul 16 – “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”
Jul 23 –“ The Great Muppet Caper”
Jul 30 – “Monsters vs. Aliens”
Aug 6 – “Big”
Aug 13 – “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs”
Aug 20 – “Annie”
Spend Thursday nights in
July at
from the Discovery Channel’s Planet Earth and
Project, which also provides guests with a delicious salty and buttery treat,
popcorn! Don’t forget to bring a
blanket, some drinks, and the whole family for an entertaining and educational
night.
Time:
pm
Free
Location: Swindler Cove Park, 10th Avenue and Dyckman Street at Harlem River
Drive,
Movie Dates:
July
8th- “Caves”
July 15th- “Ocean Deep”
July 22nd- “Seasonal
Forests”
July 29th- “From Pole to
Pole”
Treat your kids to one
of their favorite movies in one of four beautiful community gardens around
cause, these animated classics are worth the trip and will leave you and your family
smiling.
Time:
pm
Location: Varying locations; visit nyrp.org
Movie Dates:
Aug.
6th- “Fern Gully” at the
Aug.
13th- “Chicken Run” at the
Aug. 20th- “Madagascar” at the Willis Ave Community%uFFFDGarden, 401 East 143rd Street , 378-382 Willis Avenue,
Bronx
Aug. 27th- “Over the Hedge” at the
(between
Place
and
Street
This movie series is dedicated to classic cinema,
as old favorites like ” Auntie Mame” fill up take the screen at The Elevated
Acre. While most of the movies are better suited for a more mature audience (
teens and older) the final film of the summer season, “The Muppets Take
Manhattan,” is perfect for children. Featuring Kermit, Miss Piggy and the rest
of the gang exploring
this film is sure to bring the laughs. Tickets are required and are given out
on a first-come, first-served basis starting at
on the day of the screening.
Time:
Location:
The Elevated Acre at 55 Water Street,
rivertorivernyc.com
Movie
Dates:
Jul 29- “Broadway Danny Ros”
Aug 5- “Auntie Mame”
Aug 12- “The Country Girl”
Aug 19- “The Muppets Take Manhattan”
Only in New York City can you take your kids to a movie
screening on the flight deck of an air craft carrier—and not just any air craft carrier, but the USS
Intrepid. So grab your tween or teen and board the Intrepid to watch some cult
favorites like “Rocky” and “The Goonies.” Doors open at 7:30 and space is
limited, so make sure to come early.
Time: Begin at
sunset; Free
Location: Intrepid’s
Flight Deck, Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, 877-957-SHIP(7447),
intrepidmuseum.org
Movie Dates:
Jul 9- “Ghostbusters”
Jul 23- “The Goonies”
Aug 6- “Raiders of the Lost Ark”
Aug 20- “Rocky”
This summer movie series is geared especially for
children and includes an activities hour and live music. Kids can get creative
with the various arts and crafts activities, get moving and dancing to the live
music and sit back and relax during the feature film presentation. With so much
fun to be had, there’s no doubt your little one will finish the evening with a
good night’s sleep.
Time:
Kids Hour(Activities) begin at
Music begins at
Location:
East River State Park, Kent Ave at North 8th
Street.
Movie
Dates:
Jul 8- Activities by the French Embassy, Music by Marie
Martin, “Azur & Asmar”
July 15- Activities by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum,
Music by The Click Clack Boom, “Bolt”
Jul 22- Activities by the New York Road Runners, Music by
The Backroad, “Night at the Museum”
Jul 29- Activities by El Puente, Music by New York’s
Finest Jazz Ensemble, “Finding Nemo”
Aug 5- Activities by Rock City Theatrics, Music by Opus
Ditty, “Aladdin”
Aug 12-
Activities by New York Creative Arts Therapists, Music by Grand Street
Community Band, “The Lion King”
Central Astoria’s Movie Nights in
If you
love movies with some impressive soundtracks, this Queens series at Astoria Park is the one for
you. Family friendly and featuring several movies that have gone on to be
impressive Broadway hits, this series will have you singing along in no time. Time:
Location:
Aug 2 – “West
Side Story”
Aug 9 – “Fame”
Aug 16 – “The Lion King”
Aug 23 – “March of the Penguins”
RCN Movie Nights at
It’s hard to go wrong with movies about seemingly average
people who have extraordinary powers, which is why this year’s theme for
Nights is superheroes. Grab a lounge chair or blanket and walk, ride, or maybe
even fly over to
as some of our favorite superheroes take over the big screen.
Location: Waterside
Plaza, East River between 25th
and 26th.
Time: Begins at dusk (8:30 pm); Free
Movie Dates:
August 2: “Spiderman”
August 9: “Superman: The Movie”
August 16:”Spy Kids”
August 23: “The Incredibles”
In honor of the 40th anniversary of the signing of
Roosevelt Island’s General Development Plan, all the movies shown as a part of
Roosevelt Island’s Outdoor Summer Movie Series were filmed on the island
itself, including favorites like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “Spiderman.”
Some of the movie selections, however, are suited for an older audience, so
make sure to check the schedule before you go.
Time: Movies start
at dusk (8:30 pm); Free
Location: Firefighters
Field on Roosevelt Island, rioc.ny.gov,
Movie Dates:
June 26- “Spiderman”
July 10- “Zoolander”
July 24- “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
Aug. 7- “Conspiracy Theory”
Aug. 21- “Nighthawks”
“The Movies with a View” series at the newly constructed
Brooklyn Bride Park doesn’t just include a great movie; it also boasts an
unbelievable view of the New York City waterfront, a short film presentation
prior to the feature film, and a performance by a talented DJ to start the
evening off right. Not all the films are kid-friendly, so
make sure to consult the schedule to find the perfect selection for your
family.
Time:
Music begins at
Location: Pier 1 at Brooklyn Bridge Park, 2 Old Fulton Street, Brooklyn,
Movie
Dates:
July 8- Feature Film: “Annie Hall,” Short: “Abbie Cancelled” by Dumb Bunny
July 15- Feature Film: “Monsters vs. Aliens,”
No short this night
July 22- Feature Film: “The Big Lebowski” Short: “Dock Ellis and the LSD No-No” by
Christopher Isenberg
July 29- Feature Film:
“Rear Window,” Short: “Sketches
from Great Gull” by Nicholas Laviola
August 5- Feature Film:
“Brokeback Mountain,” Short: “Last Address” by Ira Sachs
August 12- Feature Film: “Dreamgirls,” Short: “S From Hell” by Rodney Ascher
August 19– Feature Film: “The Blues Brother,” Short:
“Mr. Okra” by T.G. Herrington
August 26- Feature Film: “Indiana Jones and the Last
Crusade,” Short: “Jerrycan” by Julius Avery
Gaze at the stars in the sky and on the big screen during
the Narrows Botanical Garden Movie Nights. Sit on the grass, indulge in some
snacks and refreshments, and don’t forget to take part of the raffle. While all
the films are enjoyable for the whole family, some do include mature subject
matter.
Time: Begin at
sundown, Rain date is the following day
Location: Shore Rd
between Bay Ridge Ave and 72nd St, Brooklyn,
Movie Dates:
July 8th- “Mildred Place”
July 22- “Finding Nemo”
Aug. 12- “The Blind Side”
