Summer days can be long, hot, and tiring. What better way to end them than with a relaxing movie viewing in the great outdoors? New York City boasts a myriad of diverse film screening series all outside, so you can sit back and watch your favorite flicks while surrounding yourself with nature and still feeling that warm summer breeze. Better yet, all films listed in this weekly schedule are completely free and open to the public. Grab a blanket, popcorn, your family and friends, and check out these movie viewings this season.
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Sundays
Habana Outpost Movie Night
Habana Outpost, 757 Fulton Street, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Enjoy eco-friendly food while watching one of your favorite classics on the big screen! Located in the heart of Brooklyn, Mexican and Cuban restaurant Habana Outpost will screen movies every Sunday night outside its Fort Greene eatery starting now until October 25.
Mondays
Coney Island Flicks on the Beach
1001 Boardwalk West, Brooklyn
Modern, classic, and indie films all get a chance to take center stage in this screening series. Watch your favorite flicks right on the boardwalk, whether it’s “Big Hero 6,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” or one of the many other movie offerings.
HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Bryant Park, 40th-42nd Streets in between 5th and 6th Avenues
Bryant Park is adapting to the beautiful weather and every Monday, from June 22 to August 24, will transform into an outdoor summer movie theater. The lawn opens for blankets and picnicking at 5pm, and films begin at sunset (typically around 8 or 9pm). A classic Warner Brothers Cartoon will kick off each screening.
Movies on the Waterfront
Astoria Park Great Lawn, Queens
Settle down on the lawn for this set of outdoor movie screenings overlooking the waterfront. Films include family-friendly hits like “The Incredibles,” “Ghostbusters,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and more.
RCN Monday Night Movies at Waterside Plaza
25 Waterside Plaza, Manhattan
Outside on the plaza, enjoy free popcorn and films with your family. Movies are preceded by an interactive visit by the FDNY Education Unit with a fire truck at 6pm, and a family fire safety presentation at 7:30pm. Afterwards, check out showings like “Finding Nemo” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” Older kids might tune in for “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” or “The Dark Knight.”
Tuesdays
Rooftop Films Free Summer Movie Series at Bronx Terminal Market
610 Exterior Street, Bronx
Simply seeing a movie could lack adventure. Good thing Bronx Terminal Market’s Rooftop Films hosts not only film showings but also pre-film activities provided by local organizations. If you’re looking to spice up your movie-going experience, head out to this summer series and get free giveaways, games, and snacks. The series will start off with “Big Hero 6” on June 30, followed by “The Lego Movie” on July 14, and finally, “Home” on August 11. Showtimes TBD.
Wednesdays
Red Hook Flicks
Valentino Pier, Red Hook, Brooklyn
Take your kids down to the pier to catch screenings of “The Incredibles” on August 18 and “The Bad News Bears” on August 25. Just make sure to keep an eye on the schedule every week and see what’s playing — a few of the films aren’t as kid-friendly.
Summer on the Hudson: Pier 1 Picture Show
Pier 1 in Riverside Park South (at 70th Street)
Every Wednesday from July 1 to August 12, Summer on the Hudson is hosting movie viewings right on Pier 1 in Riverside Park South. Bring blankets or chairs, pack a picnic, and cuddle up to watch your favorite films alongside the river. Seating opens at 6:30pm.
A Summer Movie Under the Stars
Long Meadow North, Prospect Park, Brooklyn
On August 5, take your Hunger Games fans and head over to Prospect Park to see a showing of “The Hunger Games: MockingJay Part 1.” On August 12, you can take kids both young and old to see the classic animated penguin tale, “Happy Feet.” Pre-movie entertainment begins at 7pm.
SummerScreen: Brooklyn’s Free Film and Concert Series at McCarren Park
Corner of North 12 Street and Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
In the center of Williamsburg, SummerScreen’s series will open to the public on July 8 with cult classic “Clueless,” and will continue to show movies each Wednesday at 6:00pm, including “Wet Hot American Summer,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Dazed and Confused,” “Jurassic Park,” and closing with an audience pick on August 12.
RiverFlicks Big Hit Wednesdays in Hudson River Park
Pier 63 at West 22nd and 24th Streets and 12th Avenue
Enjoy last year’s hit films once again this summer outdoors in Chelsea. Beginning July 8 at 8:30pm and ending on August 19, Big Hit Wednesdays will feature your favorite movies like “The Imitation Game,” “Neighbors,” “Selma,” “St. Vincent,” “The Hunger Games: Part 1,” “Boyhood,” and “Interstellar.”
Thursdays
Intrepid Free Summer Movie Series at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum Flight Deck
Pier 86 at West 46th Street and 12th Avenue
This year, the Intrepid Museum will be hosting its seventh annual Summer Movie Series to showcase classic space movies under the stars. The films will be played every Thursday from July 9 to August 6 and include “October Sky,” “Moon,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Apollo 13,” and “Wall-E.” Doors open at 7:30pm, and will close promptly an hour later.
Summer in the Square
North Plaza of Union Square Park
Union Square Park is hosting two nights in August of family film fun. Watch the old classics, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” and “The Wizard of Oz” on August 6 and 13. Bring a blanket or mat, because seating is limited. Seating starts at 6:30pm and movies start at dusk.
Syfy Movies with a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park
Brooklyn Bridge Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn, at Furman Street, Brooklyn
For the 15th summer in a row, Syfy Movies with a View will be showing movies Thursday nights from July 9 to August 27 along the East River. Cozy up with your family underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, where you will be able to not only look out to the breathtaking Manhattan skyline, but also delve into the flicks being played before you. High Noon will kick off the series on July 9, followed by “Sharknado 2,” “Attack the Block,” “Clue,” “Friday,” “Dr. Strange Love,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Die Hard” each week after the next, respectively. The movies will begin at dusk.
Fridays
Hudson RiverFlicks Family Fridays
Hudson River Park, Pier 46 in between Perry and Charles Streets
Sit back and relax right on the water and take advantage of Hudson River Park’s free movie showings every Friday night from July 10 to August 21. All movies featured are family-friendly, so bring the whole gang and enjoy. “SpongeBob: Sponge Out of Water,” “The BoxTrolls,” “PeeWee’s Big Adventure,” “Annie” (2014), “Jumanji,” “Paddington,” and “Hook” will be played. Movies will begin around 8:30pm.
SummerStarz
Transmitter Park, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
This August series puts family favorites at the forefront. There are plenty of more movies like “Frozen” (August 14) and “Guardians of the Galaxy,” (August 28) as well as classics like The Sound of Music” (August 21).
Tuesday, August 25-Saturday, August 29
Central Park Conservancy Film Festival
Landscape between Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street Cross Drive
Mark your calendar for this year’s Central Park Conservancy film festival, coming up on August 25-29. This year’s theme is “1980.” Family-friendly screenings include “Airplane!” on Thursday, August 27, and “Superman II” on Saturday, August 29. Gates open at 6:30pm, and films begin at 8pm.
Various Days
NYC Parks Free Movie Screenings-Various Locations
If you crave more entertainment and want a greater selection of films, NYC Parks is hosting other free, outdoor movies in various locations multiple days a week. Hits include “101 Dalmations” on June 12 at Columbus Park in Chinatown (presented with the Museum of Chinese in America), and “Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax on August 12” at Pier 1 in Riverside Park South. You can view the comprehensive schedule here.
