Updated 8/15/21
From drive-in lots to movies on the lawn, at museums, and more, we’ve rounded up where you can catch an outdoor movie in NYC this summer. While some are year-round, others are part of a summer series, so be sure to check back for new additions as the season ramps up!
Seaport Cinema
Seaport Cinema returns this summer with dinner and a movie at The Greens on The Rooftop at Pier 17, Movies are those the public voted for and now they’re putting them up on the big screen.
Location: The Greens at The Rooftop at Pier 17, 89 South Street, New York, NY 10038.
Days & Times: Select Mondays May through August. Entry begins at 8pm and movies start at 8:30pm.
The Lineup:
May 31st – The Parent Trap
June 7th – The Birdcage
June 14th – Dirty Dancing
June 28th – Moonlight
July 19th – Toy Story
July 26th – Miracle
August 2nd – Remember the Titans
August 9th – School of Rock
August 16th – Dazed and Confused
August 23rd – Moana
Pricing: Each lawn has a reservation fee of $20 and can accommodate up to 8 guests.
What You Should Know: As a Seaport Cinema ticket holder if you head to the Heineken Riverdeck before the movie, show your reservation at the Heineken kiosks from 7-8pm and receive $3 off your Heineken beer purchase. No external food or drinks are permitted inside The Greens, but food and drink are available for purchase on-site. Reservations for each movie are released one week before the show date at 10am. Tickets go pretty quickly, but a waitlist is available. Book your lawn here!
Moonlight & Movies at the Museum of the City of New York
Moonlight & Movies summer screenings are inspired by the Museum of the City of New York’s current exhibition, New York, New Music: 1980–1986, and explore some of the dazzling cultural movements, fashion trends, unexpected events, and exceptional artists that defined New York’s music scene of the 1980’s and captivated the world, in addition to their upcoming Puppets of New York exhibition, opening in August.
Location: Museum of the City of New York, 1220 5th Ave at 103rd Street, NY 10029
Days & Times: Monthly on Thursdays, June through September. Start times vary between 6-7:30pm
The Lineup:
June 17th- After Hours
July 15th- Krush Groove
August 12th- The Muppets Take Manhattan
September 30th- Smithereens
October 14th- Wild Style
November 11th- Behind the Summer of Soul
December 2nd- Stop Making Sense
Pricing: $15 per person, $45 per a pod
What You Should Know: Screenings take place on the museum’s South Terrace. Tickets are sold in groups or “pods” of up to 3 people. If you are attending with a group larger than 3, you must purchase additional pods separately. Drinks (including adult bevies) will be available for purchase at the beginning of the screenings. Get your tickets here!
Skyline Drive-In
Located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn along the East River, Skyline Drive-In is the only drive-in with a Manhattan skyline view!
Location: 1 Oak Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222
Days & Times: Daily, 9pm and midnight screenings, check their site for future shows.
The Lineup: Ongoing throughout the year, but for the month of June we might grab tickets for Black Panther on the 12th, Spider-Man: Homecoming on the 13th, Slumdog Millionaire on the 15th, Wonder Women 1984 on the 18th, Bad Boys for Life on the 19th, Sex and the City on the 27th and West Side Story on the 30th.
Pricing: Each car (up to 7 passengers) is $55, a Single Outdoor Seat is $22, Motorcycle is $35, and a
VIP Car Experience is $80, which includes a movie ticket for one car, a VIP parking spot, one free small popcorn, and fast track at the concession line.
What You Should Know: You can drive, bike, or walk in. With their brand new seating area, outdoor seating is also an option, so you can sit back and enjoy a movie even if you don’t own a car. The Skyline Drive-In has a concessions stand full of drinks, treats, and eats available through your theater experience. Book your tickets here!
Rooftop Films Summer Series
Rooftop Films is turning 25 and their 2021 Summer Series will include more than 40 outdoor screenings featuring new independent feature films, short film programs, and episodic events.
Location: Green-Wood Cemetery 500 25th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232; New York Hall of Science, Queens 47-01 111th Street, New York, NY 11368; and Fort Greene Park, 17 S Oxford Street Brooklyn, NY 11217, and SummerStage in Central Park (Rumsey Playfield (accessible via the 5th Avenue and 69th).
Days & Times: Select days, Mid June- Mid September. Screenings begin at 7:45pm
The Lineup: The kick-off on June 17th features an evening of unforgettable new short films under the stars.
Pricing: Free and ticketed. Membership from $25-$250. Special anniversary pricing of $25 gets you two free tickets to any in-person Summer Series screening, early access to all events, exclusive member access to select in-person events, and access to members-only, year-round virtual programming.
What You Should Know: Features drive-in and walk-up admission to more than 40 outdoor screenings featuring new independent feature films, short film programs, and episodic events.
Queens Drive-In
Co-presented by Rooftop Films, Museum of the Moving Image, and NYSCI, the Queens Drive-In is bringing film, culture, togetherness, and joy back to the people of Queens. The drive-in will be donating a portion of every ticket sale to non-profit organizations that serve the hardest-hit communities in the borough.
Location: New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, 47-01 111th Street
Corona, New York 11368.
Days & Times: Varies, check their site for future shows.
The Lineup:
Wednesday, June 9 -Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse FREE
Friday, June 11 -Carrie
Saturday, June 12 -Goodfellas
Sunday, June 13- Jaws
Wednesday, June 16 -Coming to America FREE
Thursday, June 24 -Monsoon Wedding FREE
Pricing: Ticket prices start at $35 per car.
What You Should Know: Check-in will begin 90 minutes before and doors will open 60 minutes before the start of the film. Concession vendors include Dilena’s Dolcini for snacks, cookies, popcorn, and drinks and C Bao who sells a variety of bao buns, pork dumplings, and bubble tea.
Queens Botanical Garden Movies Night at the Garden
Queens Botanical Garden’s first-ever Movie Nights series is turning the urban oasis in Flushing into an outdoor cinema! Experience big-screen magic with the beautiful backdrop of golden hour in the evening.
Location: Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street, Flushing, NY 11355
Dates & Times: Select Fridays and Saturdays, June through October. Screenings begin at 7:30pm.
The Lineup:
Saturday, June 12th- Zootopia
Friday, June 25th- Dirty Dancing
Friday, July 9th- Alice in Wonderland
Saturday, July 24- Raya and the Last Dragon
Friday, August 6th- Wonder Woman 1984
Friday, August 20- Abominable
Friday, September 10th- Footloose
Friday, September 24th Monsters, Inc.
Sunday, October 3rd- Hocus Pocus
Friday, October 8th-Beetlejuice
Saturday, October 16th-Nightmare Before Christmas
Friday, October 22nd- Dead Silence
Saturday, October 30th- Coco
Pricing: Non-members: $15 per adult, $12 per child, student, senior, & individual with disabilities. Members: $10 per member adult, $8 per child, student, senior, & individual with disabilities. Find additional pricing here.
What You Should Know: Each ticket comes with after-hours admission to the Garden, a $5 food voucher, and a complimentary craft or performance. There is a $10 fee for parking. Ticketholders are encouraged to bring their own blankets and/or lawn chairs as the movie screening will take place on the Oak A llée. Outside food and beverages are NOT allowed.
Bryant Park Movie Nights
Bryant Park Movie Nights return this summer! Ten movies, selected in collaboration with Vulture, will be screened. Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and a feature film.
Location: Bryant Park, 40th and 42nd Streets, between 5th Ave and 6th Avenues
Dates & Times: August 23rd- September 28th, Monday and Tuesday Evenings. Films begin at sunset.
The Lineup:
Monday, August 23rd- Clueless (1995)
Tuesday, August 24th- Hustlers (2019)
Monday, August 30th- The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984)
Tuesday, August 31st- Inside Man (2006)
Monday, September 6- Uncut Gems (2019)
Tuesday, September 7th-Love & Basketball (2000)
Monday, September 13th- Moonstruck (1987)
Tuesday, September 14th-MOULIN ROUGE! (2001)
Monday, September 27th- The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Tuesday, September 28th- Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Pricing: Free
What You Should Know: Lawn and food and wine concessions open 5pm. ALSO! The first of its kind, a Broadway to Film series will also show during this summer’s Bryant Park Movie Nights featuring Moulin Rouge, Phantom of the Opera, and Mrs. Doubtfire with special guest appearances.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies With A View
Join Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for a 4-week limited run with Movies With A View! This season will return for its 21st season with the theme “Grit,” featuring heartwarming, irreverent, hilarious, and uplifting underdog stories that celebrate human perseverance and resilience, and overcoming adversity.
Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn
Dates & Times: August 5th- 26th, Thursday evenings. Doors at 6pm, Movies at sundown.
The Lineup:
August 5th- Shaun of the Dead
August 12th- Patti Cake$
August 19th- Akeelah and the Bee
August 26th- Karate Kid (1984)
Pricing: Free
What You Should Know: Smorgasburg will provide food and drinks all evening along the Pier 1 promenade, featuring a selection of NYC’s favorite food vendors. Beer and wine concessions will be available for purchase for adults 21+. The pre-movie lineup includes a DJ brought to you by Brooklyn Radio, and a short film by local filmmakers, selected by BAMcinématek. Free bike valet will also be available.
Films on the Green
The outdoor French Film Festival, Films on the Green is returning this summer with a special hybrid edition and an exciting lineup of international cinema. The festival’s 13th edition includes eight films and a recorded concert and is centered on the theme of “Music & Cinema.”
Location: NYC parks and online
Dates & Times: July 9th-30th
The Lineup:
July 9th- La Boum in Central Park
July 9th- Virtual Cinema: La Boum
July 12th- Virtual Cinema: Elevator to the Gallows
July 16th- Interstella 5555 in Washington Square Park
July 16th- Virtual Cinema: Interstella 5555
July 19th- Virtual Cinema: Chavela
July 21st- Virtual Cinema: Akounak Tedalat Taha Tazoughai
July 23rd- Satin Rouge in Seward Park
July 23rd- Virtual Cinema: Satin Rouge
July 26th- Virtual Cinema:Concert Les Amazones d’Afrique
July 28th- Virtual Cinema: Vengo
July 30th- Black Orpheus in Riverside Park
July 30th- Virtual Cinema: Black Orpheus
Pricing: Free
What You Should Know: Films on the Green will take place in four different Manhattan parks AND online for the first time!
FAB Flicks
This summer, BAM Film is partnering with FAB FULTON to present FAB Flicks, a series of free outdoor screenings.
Location: Brooklyn Plaza Medical Center, 650 Fulton Street Brooklyn, NY 11217
Dates & Times: Select Thursdays July 22nd- September 9th. Screening begins at 8:30pm
The Lineup:
July 22nd- Crooklyn
August 5th- Coco
Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest- August 26th
Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell- September 9th
Pricing: Free
A Summer Movie Under the Stars at Prospect Park
Summer is back in Prospect Park with the return of its annual outdoor movie series, A Summer Movie Under the Stars. This year, the series dives into nostalgic classics and feel-good fan favorites for all ages. The themes throughout deal with connectivity, perseverance, friendship, self-empowerment, creativity, and fantasy—exactly what everyone needs right now. This year is presented by SHOWTIME and hosted by Brooklyn Magazine, Prospect Park Alliance, and the office of the Brooklyn Borough President.
Location: North end of the Prospect Park Long Meadow, 95 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Located nearest to the Grand Army Plaza entrance.
Dates & Times: Thursdays, July 29th- August 19th. Films will begin shortly after sundown. You can RSVP here although not required for entry.
The Lineup:
July 29th- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
August 5th-The Goonies (1985)
August 12th-Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
August 19th- Black Panther (2018)
Pricing: Free
Movie Nights at Hudson Yards
Watch your favorite shows on the Big Screen with WarnerMedia for Hudson Yards Movie Nights. Grab your crew and kick back in a lounger, order food and drink to your pod and take in a movie outside while the sun sets.
Location: Hudson Yards, in the Public Square & Gardens, 20 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001
Dates & Times: Saturdays through October 31st, 7-9pm.
The Lineup:
August 7th-Wonder Woman 1984
August 14th- Goonies
August 21st- Friends: The Reunion
August 28th- RBG
September 4th- The LEGO Batman Movie
September 11th- SCOOB!
September 18th- Romeo Santos Utopia Live From MetLife Stadium
September 25th- Love Life (Episode 1) *8pm Showing
Pricing: Free
What You Should Know: Seating PODs for 1-4 people in cabana-style lounge chairs. PODS 1-6, are reserved for Wells Fargo customers.
Check back for new additions! Outdoor movie screenings hosted at restaurants or bars will be listed on NYC Plugged EATS.
