💌 Want MORE events sent directly to you? SIGN UP HERE for our FREE weekly newsletter featuring NYC pop-ups, guides, exclusive giveaways, and discounts!
Summer in NYC is made for outdoor movie nights. Get the crew or fam together to enjoy blockbuster hits, cult classics, and fan-favorite films under the stars. Don’t forget a blanket and your favorite snacks! Set against waterfronts, parks, and some of the city’s best skyline views, many also feature food and drink, and pre-show entertainment. Whether you’re planning a laid-back date night or a fun group outing, these experiences are a must-add to your NYC summer calendar.
Loving this Guide? Don’t forget to TAG US @nycplugged in your Instagram Stories & Posts! We will be resharing our favorites😍
As always, SHARE this and BOOKMARK this GUIDE to your home screen and check back for updates. Also, join our NYC Plugged Broadcast Channel as well for more time-sensitive updates.
Are we missing anything that should be in this Guide? Shoot us an email!
Update 7/23/26
View this post on Instagram
BROOKLYN
Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies with a View
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s most popular series, Movies With A View presented by Persol shows free outdoor movies on the waterfront. As part of the partnership, Persol will bring the spirit of the Italian Riviera to the experience through immersive activations inspired by the brand’s Spring/Summer 2026 collection and campaign and longstanding connection to cinema.
📍 Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn
📅 Thursdays, July 9th- September 18th, 6pm-11pm, Movie at sunset
🎬 July 9th: Hamilton, July 16th: Bend it Like Beckham, July 23rd: The Talented Mr. Ripley, July 30th: Clueless, August 6th: Jurassic Park, August 13th: Do the Right Thing, August 20th: Bridesmaids, August 27th: Public Choice (Challengers), September 3rd: When Harry Met Sally, September 18th (*Friday): How to Train Your Dragon
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Vale Cinema Series returns with six dive-in screenings at the Sephora Summer Club. This season’s lineup of cult favorites, camp classics, and iconic films sets the scene for unforgettable summer nights in Brooklyn. Plus, our special Sephora Presents series will feature three screenings inspired by beauty icons, big hair, and unapologetic self-expression. Take in the sunset, settle in poolside, and enjoy your favorite films under the stars with popcorn, specialty cocktails, and light bites.
📍 The William Vale, 111 North 12th Street, The Turf Club at Westlight (23rd Floor)
📅 Select Mondays, July 13th- August 24th, Doors 7pm, Movie at 8pm (after sunset)
🎬 July 13th: Grease, July 27th: Jaws, August 10th: Legally Blonde. August 24th: Mean Girls
🎟️ From $30
SummerSTARZ at Transmitter Park
SummerStarz is a series of free, family-friendly movies at Transmitter Park presented by Town Square, a local nonprofit organization.
📍 Transmitter Park, Greenpoint Avenue, and East River Waterfront
📅 Select Fridays in July and August
🎬 July 24th: The Princess Bride, July 31st: Michael, August 7 – Ford v Ferrari, August 14th: Project Hail Mary, August 21st: Zootopia 2
🎟️ Free, with RSVP
Domino Park: Movies in the Square
Domino Square transforms into an outdoor cinema playing double billings at 4pm and 7pm. Framed by the unparalleled backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, join at 4 pm for family-friendly showings with art activities led by A Rosie Day and at 7 pm for main features with drinks from Other Half and snacks from Frita Batidos and Stretch Pizza, and a DJ Set.
📍 Domino Park, Domino Square, 15 River Street
📅 Select Tuesdays in July, August & September. July 7th- September 15th, Movie at 4pm (Doors 3:30pm) and 7pm (Doors 6pm)
🎬 July 7th: The Sandlot and Bend It Like Beckham, July 21st: Luca and The Warriors,
August 4th: Enchanted and Mamma Mia!, August 18th: Honey, I Shrunk The Kids and Before Sunrise, September 1st: A Bug’s Life and To Catch a Thief, September 15th: High School Musical 2 and Fame
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public. RSVPs welcomed
Prospect Park + Fort Greene Park Summer Movies in the Park
Prospect Park Alliance, Fort Greene Park Conservancy, and Rooftop Films announce Summer Movies in the Park, presented by NewYork-Presbyterian. This year’s screenings feature special anniversary commemorations. Attendees are welcome to come early to picnic and for pre-movie entertainment.
📍 Prospect Park (North End of Long Meadow at Grand Army Plaza Entrance) and Fort Greene Park (Central Lawn at Washington Park and DeKalb Avenue Entrance)
📅 Select Wednesdays in August & September. Movie at sunset.
🎬 August 5th (Prospect Park): Shrek 2, August 12th (Prospect Park): Akeelah and the Bee: 20th Anniversary Screening, August 26th (Fort Greene): Space Jam: 30th Anniversary Screening, September 9th (Fort Greene): The Namesake (PG-13): 20th Anniversary Screening
🎟️ Free with RSVP
QUEENS
Movie Nights at Queens Botanical Garden
Movie nights are back for the summer! Come early for snacks, drinks, and activities.
📍 Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street
📅 Select Fridays and Saturdays in June and August, Doors 6:30pm, Movie at 8pm
🎬 July 10th: The Neverending Story, July 17th: Zootopia 2, August 8th: The Matrix, August 15th: Crazy Rich Asians
🎟️ Adult Non-Member: $6 (included Garden Admission), Child Non-Member (4-12): $2, Senior Non-Member and Students w/ ID: $4, Member and Children under 3: Free.
Astoria Park Movies Under The Stars
Astoria Park Alliance will be screening a classic throwback movie, with the title selected by their followers on Instagram. Choose between: Back to the Future, E.T., Independence Day, or Sister Act 2. Come early, bring a picnic, and grab a spot on the Great Lawn.
📍 Astoria Park, 24-02 19th Street, Great Lawn
📅 July 10th, 8:15pm-10:30pm. Movie at sunset
🎬July 10th: E.T (Audience Vote)
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Hunters Point Park Movies on the Waterfront
Movies in the park return for the 12th year! This summer, they’ll be showing 4 family-friendly movies on the oval in Hunter’s Point South Park!
They’re kicking off the movie season with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on July 25th as a 40th anniversary screening. Also, the original Jurassic Park on August 22nd, sponsored by TF Cornerstone, How to Train Your Dragon (Animated Version) on September 5th, sponsored by Shibley Day Camp, and bringing Halloween on the Waterfront back on October 31st with Nightmare Before Christmas!
📍 Hunter’s Point South Park, Borden Avenue & Center Blvd.
📅 Select monthly days, July – October. Movie at sunset, 8:30pm
🎬July 25th: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, August 22nd: Jurassic Park, September 5th: How to Train Your Dragon (Animated), October 31st: Nightmare Before Christmas
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Central Astoria Movies on the Waterfront
Screening free movies on the great lawn at Astoria Park. Be sure to bring a blanket as you soak in the summer evening.
📍 Astoria Park, The Great Lawn, Between the Hell Gate Bridge and Pool
📅 Mondays, July 27th- August 17th, Movie at sunset
🎬 July 27th: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, August 3rd: Ratatouille, August 10th: Superman, August 17th: Hamilton
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
MANHATTAN
Intrepid Museum Free Movie Nights
Join for the Museum’s monthly summer Free Fridays. Each and every day residents of New York City receive a 50 percent discount on admission to the Intrepid Museum. For free Movie Nights, only the flight deck will be accessible to the public. Light concessions will be sold onsite, and you are encouraged to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages
📍Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Flight Deck
📅 Select Fridays, June- August. 7-10pm, Doors at 6pm. Movie at sunset
🎬 July 31st: National Treasure, August 28th: An American Tale: Fievel Goes West
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Paramount+ Movie Nights at Bryant Park
The 33rd season of summer movies in Bryant Park! Bring a blanket and a friend, and grab your spot on the lawn to watch a feature film on the big screen under the stars. Paramount+ Movie Nights at Bryant Park are supported by Time Out and Sour Patch Kids. Food items for sale curated by Hester Street Fair are available 4pm-8:30pm on the Fountain Terrace, and beer and wine can be purchased on the western end of the lawn beginning at 5pm.
📍 Bryant Park, 40th Street and 6th Avenue
📅 Mondays, July 13th – September 14th. Doors 5pm, Movie at 8pm
🎬 July 13th: Wayne’s World, July 20th: Good Morning, Vietnam, July 27th: The Truman Show, August 3rd: Bridget Jones’s Diary, August 10th: Catch Me If You Can, August 17th: City Of God, August 24th: King Creole, August 31st: , No Country For Old Men, September 7th: Galaxy Quest, September 14th: Shakespeare In Love, September 15th (*Tuesday, Added Date): The Truman Show
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Lincoln Center Summer for the City Outdoor Film Series
Film at Lincoln Center’s free Summer for the City Outdoor Film Series: Penalty Flicks, part of Lincoln Center’s campus-wide series celebrating the global spirit of soccer and the intersections of arts and sports. Lincoln Center will provide high-fidelity headphones to borrow for the duration of the event. Food and beverages will be available for purchase on Lincoln Center’s campus. Refillable water station available in David Geffen Hall lobby.
📍 Lincoln Center, Hearst Plaza
📅 Select Days July 9th-18th. Doors 30 minutes before showtime. Movie at 8pm
🎬 July 9th: Pele, July 14th: Offside, July 15th: Diamantino, July 16th: Shaolin Soccer, July 17th: Infinite Football, July 18th: She’s the Man
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public or Fast Track opening the Monday before the event at noon.
Riverside Park Pier I Picture Show
Pack a picnic, bring a friend, and settle in for a night of premier movies on the Pier. Film begins at dusk. Open Captioned. Theme: It Belongs in a Museum!
📍 Riverside Park, Pier I at West 70th Street & West Side Highway
📅 Select Wednesdays, July – August
🎬July 8th: Raiders of the Lost Ark, July 15th: The Great Muppet Caper, July 22nd: Loving Vincent, July 29th: The Maltese Falcon, August 5th: The Good Dinosaur, August 12th: La Chimera, August 19th: National Treasure
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Come experience Oculus Outdoors – free, outdoor movie screenings. This year, they are featuring family-friendly movies with key anniversaries. Each movie screening will have a special surprise activation, photo opportunity, or freebie to create a memorable experience for attendees. Bring your own blankets or portable chairs and enjoy your very own one-of-a-kind, cinematic experience under the wings of the Oculus. Limited seating will be provided on a first come, first serve basis, with or without a ticket.
📍 Oculus Plaza, at Church Street & Fulton Street
📅 Select Thursday & Friday evenings in July, August & September. Doors 6pm, Movie at 7pm
🎬 Thursday, July 23rd: Bridget Jones’s Diary, Friday, July 24th: She’s the Man, Thursday, August 13th: Pretty in Pink, Friday, August 14th: Spy Kids, Thursday, September 17th: Zoolander, Friday, September 18th: Addams Family
🎟️ Free with RSVP
Wollman Rink: Movie Night on the Overlook
Grab your loved ones and join us for Movie Nights in the Park! These free community events will bring people together for evenings of fun, laughter, and classic family-friendly films on a big inflatable movie screen!
📍 Central Park, Wollman Rink Overlook, 830 5th Avenue
📅 Select Thursdays, July 30th- September 24th, Movie at 8pm
🎬 July 30th: Captain America: A Brave New World, August 11th (*Tuesday): The Time Traveler’s Wife, September 24th: Captain America: Brave New World
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Outdoor movies and special events under the stars. Bring a blanket, gather your friends and family. On the Town screening will include special surprises, giveaways, and a live musical tribute inspired by the film.
📍 The Battery, Seaglass Carousel, across from 17 Battery Place
📅 Select Days in July. Movie at 7:30pm (8:30pm on July 18th)
🎬 July 8th: On the Town, July 9th: By George, July 10th: West Side Story, July 13th: Muppets Take Manhattan, July 14th: Ghostbusters 2, July 17th: Little Fugitive, July 18th: Once in a Lifetime
🎟️ Free, RSVP Recommended
Roosevelt Island Summer Movie Series
Roosevelt Island Summer Movie Series is shown on a 40-foot screen, and includes food vendors selling on-site, pre-film music and on-screen slide presentations.
📍 Roosevelt Island, 36th Avenue & Vernon Blvd, Southpoint Park
📅 Select Fridays, July & August. Doors 7pm, Movie at sunset
🎬 July 17th: How To Train Your Dragon, July 24th: Wicked: For Good, July 31st: Superman (2025), August 14th: Zootopia 2
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Uptown Film Center Tales of Summer Outdoor Screenings
Uptown Film Center is inviting all New Yorkers to gather under the stars for three free outdoor movie nights celebrating music, community. The three featured films span music, documentary, and beloved musicals, each capturing the spirit of summer while celebrating the diversity of Upper Manhattan.
📍 Morningside Park, Amsterdam Ave between 109 and 110th Streets and, Riverside Park
📅 Select Days in August & September
🎬 August 6th: Summer of Soul, August 22nd: Mamma Mia!, September 18th: In the Heights
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Elizabeth Street Garden Movie Night in the Garden
Bring a blanket and some popcorn.
📍 Elizabeth Street Garden, Elizabeth Street between Prince & Spring Streets
📅 Select Wednesdays, July & August, 8pm
🎬 July 15th: The Princess Bride, July 29th: The Apartment, August 12th: Kiki’s Delivery Service, August 26th: North by Northwest
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Lower East Side Film Festival Movies on the Park
The Lower East Side Film Festival is heading back outdoors for a summer series of FREE community screenings in the East Village’s historic Tompkins Square Park at the Bandshell. All events will feature free refreshments + surprises from our LESFF sponsors.
📍 Tompkins Square Park, Bandshell
📅 Select Wednesdays, July & August, 8/8:30pm
🎬 July 22nd: Little Miss Sunshine, August 5th: Super Troopers, August 19th: Beasts of Southern Wild
🎟️ Free w/ RSVP
Seaport Cinema is returning for the season with new movies, new bites! Catch your favorite films on the Heineken Riverdeck. Come early to grab a bite, sip a beverage, and soak in the waterfront views. Seaport Cinema is supported by Heineken and Unreal Snacks. UPGRADE YOUR NIGHT: Leave your chairs at home and enjoy reserved seating in the Heineken Zone. Plus, enjoy a bucket of 3 Heineken beers. Choose from Heineken Original, Heineken Silver, or Heineken 0.0.
📍 Pier 17, The Heineken Riverdeck
📅 Tuesdays, July- September. Movie at sundown
🎬 August 4th: Legally Blonde, August 6th (*Thursday, rescheduled): She’s the Man, August 11th: 13 Going on 30, August 18th: Crazy Rich Asians, August 25th: Dirty Dancing, September 1st: King Richard, September 8th: National Treasure
🎟️ Free, with RSVP or Heineken Zone: $25 + Fees
Bring a blanket and settle in under the stars for an outdoor movie night in the Park. Enjoy sweeping views of the Hell Gate Bridge and the city skyline.
📍 Randalls Island, Field 62/Urban Farm. 8-11pm
📅 August 1st
🎬 August 1st: Zooptopia 2
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Union Square Park: Movies in the Square
Grab your friends, pack a picnic, and get ready for a cozy night under the stars. Recommend to bring your own blanket or mat to sit on and get comfortable. A limited number of chairs will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
📍 Union Square Park, North Plaza. 7:30-10pm. Movie at 8:30pm.
📅 Select Thursdays, July and August.
🎬 July 23rd: Addams Family Values, August 13th: Black Panther, August 20th: Shrek (Look-Alike Contest)
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Join for upcoming outdoor movie screenings of Cult classics, new releases, and special events. Before that you can order from the bar — cocktails, New York beer and wine, popcorn and snacks — find your seat, and play a lawn game while the light drops behind the skyline. Seating is by type — a single Adirondack chair or a Loveseat for two — with seating first-come, first-served by seat type. Come with a pair of wireless headphones. Family matinées are open to all ages. Evening screenings are 16+ for cinema admission and 21+ for the bar.
📍 60 West 37th Street
📅 Daily, All Summer
🎬 Lineup Above
🎟️ From $21.75
Movie Nights at Bella Abzug Park
Enjoy movies in the park. Adirondack chairs are first come, first served. This year, they have doubled the amount of chairs available! BYO chair or blanket. There is no grass area in the park.
📍 Bella Abzug Park Fountains, between W 34th + W 35th Streets
📅 Tuesdays in August, Movie at 8pm
🎬 August 4th: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, August 11th: Jaws, August 18th: National Treasure, August 25th: Clueless
🎟️Free, with RSVP
CITY WIDE
NYC Parks’ Movies Under the Stars
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment and NYC Parks bring more than 150 film screenings to parks throughout the five boroughs. Enjoy family-friendly entertainment in the city’s parks and playgrounds, ranging from great new movies to all-time classics. movies have chairs reserved for seniors and people with disabilities. Pack up the picnic chair, bring some food, find a great spot.
📍 City Wide, All Five Boroughs
📅 Various Days and Times, All Summer
🎬 Lineup Above
🎟️ Free, Open to the Public
Its landmark 30th season of screenings. This year’s festival includes over 40 events, featuring new independent feature films, short film programs, free community screenings, live performances, and special enhanced events.
📍 City Wide, All Five Boroughs
📅 Various Days and Times, May 15th- August 21st
🎬 Lineup Above
🎟️ Free with RSVP and Ticketed ($)
This year’s Summer Series will include over 40 events, featuring new independent feature films, short film programs, family screenings, and live performances. For the ninth consecutive year, the Rooftop Films Summer Series will be presented by AMC Networks and its portfolio of iconic brands. Rooftop Films will be presenting exclusive advance screenings in New York with AMCN this summer.
