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Where to See Free Summer Movies in New Jersey for an Outdoor Movie Night

Enjoy a beachfront movie night in Margate. Photo courtesy of Margate City
Enjoy a beachfront movie night in Margate. Photo courtesy of Margate City
6/15/23 - By Laurie Rein

Looking for FREE summer outdoor movies for New Jersey families? Here are some to add to your list.

See your favorite flicks under the stars this summer as beaches and parks throughout the state host FREE outdoor movies on supersized screens. Bring a blanket or beach chair (and maybe a little bug spray), and enjoy all the hits you may have missed during the school year. Or, check out some of your family's favorite flicks for a second or third time, minus the ticket fee. Some venues offer food vendors, and some provide pre-show fun.

For more FREE fun in the sun, check out our exhaustive list of 100+ Free Things To Do in New Jersey This Summer with Kids, and round out your summer plans with our Ultimate New Jersey Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

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Check individual venues for movie listings and alternate rain plans.  

More Free Activities in New Jersey this Summer

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Atlantic County

Thrilling Thursdays in Margate

Margate–FREE
Thursdays, July 6-August 31, 2023
Get a head start on the weekend with this busy Thursday roster of activities in Margate. Start your day with a visit to the farmers market, shop at local sidewalk sales, play free cornhole, and visit the beach free of charge. Top it off with a beachfront movie night. READ MORE

Bergen County

Ridgewood Movies in the Park

Ridgewood–FREE
Select Wednesdays, June 14-August 9, 2023
The Ridgewood Guild presents a roster of oldies but goodies every other Wednesday at Memorial Park.  READ MORE

Bergen County Movies in the Park

Paramus–FREE
Select dates from Friday, July 14-Friday, August 25, 2023
Head over to Van Saun County Park after sunset for free movies, such as Top Gun: Maverick and Ghostbusters: Afterlife. Bring chairs and blankets. READ MORE

Camden County

Camden County Movie Night

various parks–FREE
select Fridays from June 2-September 1, 2023
Camden County hosts Friday night fun, with free movies in various parks.  READ MORE
Family-friendly movies will be shown at the Excursion Park Bandshell in Sea Isle. Photo courtesy of Sea Isle
Family-friendly movies will be shown at the Excursion Park Bandshell in Sea Isle. Photo courtesy of Sea Isle

Cape May County

Free Family Movie Nights in Downtown Wildwood

Wildwood–FREE
Tuesdays, June 27-August 22, 2023
Head over to Byrne Plaza on Tuesday nights for a free family movie, with animated titles like Minions: The Rise of GRU. Bring blankets or beach chairs, and take advantage of free parking. READ MORE

Avalon Beach Movies

Avalon–FREE
Tuesdays, June 27-August 29, 2023
Bring a beach chair or blanket to 30th Street Beach for a big-screen movie every Tuesday. Titles include Top Gun: Maverick.  READ MORE

Sea Isle City Free Movies Under the Stars

Sea Isle City–FREE
Wednesdays, July 5-Monday, August 30, 2023
The Bad Guys and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are a couple of the great movies scheduled to play at Excursion Park on Wednesday nights.  READ MORE

Gloucester County

Deptford Family Movie Night

Various Deptford parks–FREE
Select dates through Friday, October 13, 2023
The Township of Deptford presents free movies in the park on select summer Fridays, including hits like "Minions: Rise of Gru" and "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish." READ MORE

Gloucester County Movies in the Park

County parks–FREE
Select dates through Friday, September 1, 2023
Screenings are held throughout the county on select Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights through August.  READ MORE
Catch an al fresco flick in Hoboken this summer. Photo courtesy of Hoboken
Catch an al fresco flick in Hoboken this summer. Photo courtesy of Hoboken

Hudson County

Jersey City Movies in the Park

Various locations–FREE
Select dates, Friday, June 9-Thursday, August 10, 2023
Jersey City hosts family-friendly movies, such as Lightyear and Soul, under the stars throughout the city this summer. Movies begin at sunset. READ MORE

Hoboken Movies Under the Stars

Hoboken–FREE
Wednesdays, June 7-August 30, 2023
The NYC skyline provides the perfect summer backdrop for free films on the Hoboken waterfront. For the best seating, arrive early and bring a blanket or chair. READ MORE
Gather the family for a screening of
Gather the family for a screening of "Luca" on August 4th in Princeton. Photo courtesy of Disney/Pixar

Mercer County

Palmer Square Movie Nights

Princeton–FREE
Select Fridays, July 14-August 4, 2023
Enjoy a family-friendly outdoor movie under the stars on Palmer Square. Come early for upscale shopping and enjoy al fresco dining before the show or pick up a meal to bring to the Green. READ MORE

Middlesex County

The Highland Park Outdoor Movie Theater

Highland Park–FREE
Select Saturdays, May 27-September 2, 2023
Enjoy an evening of vintage cartoons followed by the main feature at Highland Park's municipal parking lot. Some chairs are available, but feel free to bring your own. READ MORE
Bring a beach blanket to Belmar Movies on the Beach this summer. Photo courtesy of the event
Bring a beach blanket to Belmar Movies on the Beach this summer. Photo courtesy of the event

Monmouth County

Freehold Family Movie Night

Freehold–FREE
Wednedays, June 21-August 23, 2023
Bring a blanket to the lawn outside Hall of Records every Wednesday night for a showing of a new or classic movie. Grab a bite from a downtown eatery while you're there.  READ MORE

Pier Village Summer Movie Series

Long Branch–FREE
Wednesdays, July 5-August 2, 2023
Pier Village hosts free flicks every Wednesday night on Festival Plaza. Catch hits like Top Gun Maverick while enjoying the adjacent shops and restaurants. Movies begin at dusk. READ MORE

Belmar Movies on the Beach

Belmar–FREE
Wednessdays, July 5-August 30, 2023
Enjoy an evening under the stars with your feet in the sand. Free screenings take place every Wednesday night. While you're there, grab dinner at Belmar's many casual or fine-dining establishments.  READ MORE

Keansburg Movies on the Beach

Keansburg–FREE
Tuesdays, August 1-August 29, 2023
Spend Tuesday evenings at Keansburg beach for free movie screenings. Catch classics like Moana and Jaws. READ MORE

Ocean County

Jenkinson's Movies on the Beach

Point Pleasant–FREE
Tuesdays, June 27-August 29, 2023
Roll out your beach blanket for Jenkinson's summer movie series on the sand. All films begin at dusk, weather permitting. READ MORE

Seaside Heights Movies at the Beach

Seaside Heights–FREE
Sundays, July 2-August 27, 2023
Bring a beach chair, towel and plenty of munchies for this summer movie series on the beach in Carteret. Movies play Sundays. Showtime starts at sunset. READ MORE

Somerset County

Starlit Cinema Somerville

Seaside Heights–FREE
Thursdays, July 6-August 10, 2023
Bustling Division Street Plaza provides the backdrop for outdoor movies on a big screen. This year's screenings will include classics like Finding Nemo and Jaws.   READ MORE

Union County

Fanwood Summer Movie Series

Fanwood
Tuesdays, June 27-August 15, 2023
Fanwood's LaGrande Park presents movies, such as Inside Out, under the stars every Tuesday evening on a 16 feet wide outdoor screen. Bring a blanket or beach chair. READ MORE
Enjoy an indoor showing of
Enjoy an indoor showing of "Puss in Boots–The Last Wish" at the Mayo PAC. Photo courtesy of Universal/Dreamworks

Bonus Indoor Freebie

Free Movie Tuesdays at MPAC

Morristown
Tuesdays, August 1 and August 15, 2023
Mayo Performing Arts Center presents hit movies on the big screen as part of its free Arts in the Community series, generously supported by ADP. Free tickets are available online.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Laurie R
Laurie Rein is thrilled to have made a career of digging up activities (especially free ones!) for her twin daughters. Prior to working with Mommy Poppins NJ, Laurie wore many hats in the television industry including gigs as an NBC page, NBC copywriter, affiliate liaison for The Rosie O'Donnell Show and research manager for CBS. She is currently the Events Editor for Mommy Poppins NJ and can be reached at njevents@mommypoppins.com
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