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

Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
5/21/23 - By Drew Kristofik

New York City screens tons of FREE outdoor movies each summer, and many of them are just for kids and families. We keep an eye on these special outdoor summer movie screenings all season long, including the Movies Under the Stars series, which offers screenings in some of our favorite parks and playgrounds, Bryant Park Movie Nights, and Sidewalk Cinema.

Movies usually begin when evening falls, but plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot. Even if your local park is screening a flick you've watched a dozen times before, it's a totally different experience viewing it in the open air alongside other fans. It's a thrilling, communal event, and a summer rite of passage for New Yorkers of all ages. Speaking of summer, find all our seasonal must-dos in our Summer Fun Guide for NYC Kids.

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Note: Movies Under the Stars, hosted by NYC Parks Department, requires online registration so be sure to click through to the website for the movies you want to see and secure your spot.

Bookmark this page, because we update it constantly.

More Free Activities in NYC this Summer

Free NYC Summer Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals

Best Street Fairs and Summer Festivals in NYC in August

100 Free Things To Do in NYC this Summer with Kids

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Pack up the picnic chair, and watch a flick in the great outdoors with Movies Under the Stars. Photo courtesy of Marvel
Pack up the picnic chair, and watch a flick in the great outdoors with Movies Under the Stars. Photo courtesy of Marvel

Free Outdoor Movie Nights in Manhattan During Summer 2023

Movies Under the Stars: Manhattan

Various locations in Manhattan
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Stars onscreen and in the sky! Cuddle up on a blanket with a pizza or picnic and catch a free kid-friendly flick. NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Manhattan parks all summer long. READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Pier 1 Picture Show

Upper West Side
Wednesdays from July 5-August 16
Settle in for a movie night on the pier! Bring a blanket and a picnic and watch family-friendly flicks with the Hudson River as a backdrop. Seating opens at 6:30pm. The movies start after sunset, at around 8:30pm. READ MORE

Film Works Alfresco at Morris-Jumel Mansion: Vivo

Inwood
Thursday, July 6
Inwood Art Works is screening Vivo on a giant screen at Morris-Jumel Mansion. Relax, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the warm summer night! READ MORE

Movie Night: In the Heights (PG-13)

Randall's Island
Sunday, July 16
Movie night is back on Randall's Island! Catch a screening of In the Heights, and arrive early for games, crafts, and snacks. READ MORE

Sunset Film Festival

Upper East Side
Wednesdays August 2 and 9
Carl Schurz's all-too-brief foray into outdoor evening films includes two family-friendly favorites this summer. READ MORE

Films on the Green

Multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn
Fridays, June 2 - July 28
Also on July 12; September 6; September 8
A French film on a summer night! Films on the Green is a free outdoor French film festival in New York City parks READ MORE

Intrepid Summer Movie Series–CANCELED

Midtown West
Last Friday of the month in May, June, July, and August
Watch a movie on the ship’s flight deck under the stars! Enjoy views of the Hudson River and city skyline while you watch some old and new favorites on the big screen. READ MORE

Film Works Alfresco at Haven Plaza

Inwood
Fridays, July 14 & August 18
Inwood Art Works presents summer movies on a giant screen at Haven Plaza. Relax, connect with neighbors, and enjoy the warm summer night! READ MORE

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Midtown West
Mondays, June 12 - August 21
Classic films under the stars on the big screen are back in Bryant Park, and this summer the series celebrates its 30th anniversary. Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and entertainment.  READ MORE

Movie Night: Puss in Boots- The Last Wish (PG)

Randall's Island
Sunday, August 13
Movie night is back on Randall's Island! Catch a screening of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, and arrive early for games, crafts, and snacks. READ MORE

Central Park Conservancy Film Festival

Central Park
2023 dates TBA
A beloved summer tradition, the Central Park Conservancy Film Festival has screened critically acclaimed films in Central Park each August since 2002. This year, it's all about documentaries and ecology. READ MORE
Enjoys a night with rides, food and a film at Coney Island Flicks on the Beach. Photo by Alexander Thompson/NYCGo
Enjoys a night with rides, food and a film at Coney Island Flicks on the Beach. Photo by Alexander Thompson/NYCGo

Free Outdoor Movies in Brooklyn in Summer 2023

Movies Under the Stars: Brooklyn

Various locations in Brooklyn
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Nothing says summer in NYC quite like watching a movie outdoors just after sunset. NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Brooklyn parks all summer long. READ MORE

Coney Island Flicks on the Beach

Coney Island
Every other Monday, June 26-August 7
A giant 40-foot inflatable screen turns the beach at West 12th Street into an outdoor movie theater on select Mondays through August. READ MORE

Movies With a View

Dumbo
Thursdays from July 6-August 24
Brooklyn Bridge Park brings back Movies with a View for its 23rd season. This season's theme is "We Are Family." READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn: Fort Greene

Fort Greene
Thursdays, June 29 - July 20
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn offers nostalgic classics and feel-good fan favorites for all ages. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

SummerStarz Family Movie Nights

Greenpoint
Fridays, July 7 - August 11
Town Square's SummerStarz free family movie nights are back by popular demand. Six wonderful Friday evenings are planned for Transmitter Park on the gorgeous Greenpoint waterfront. Bring a picnic blanket, friends, and family. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn: Prospect Park

Prospect Park
Wednesdays, July 26 - August 16
Snuggle up under the stars for an evening of nostalgic classic cinema and feel-good fan favorites for all ages. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn: McCarren Park

Williamsburg/Greenpoint
Sunday, August 20
Wednesdays, August 30 - September 13
Movies glow on the big outdoor screen for Paramount+/Brooklyn Magazine's free summer screenings. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE
Puss in Boots has nine lives to find in the Shrek spin-off. Photo courtesy Universal Pictures
Puss in Boots has nine lives to find in the Shrek spin-off. Photo courtesy Universal Pictures

Free Summer 2023 Outdoor Movies in Queens

Rooftop Films: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (PG-13)

Elmhurst
Tuesday, June 20
Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars: Queens

Various locations in Queens
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Queens parks all summer long. Bring a blanket and a picnic READ MORE

Movies on the Green

Rego Park
Alternate Wednesdays, July 5 - August 16
Catch some of your all-time favorites on Wednesdays at the Center Green. Bring the family, a blanket or chair, and enjoy. Movies start at dusk, but come early to enjoy periodical entertainment.  READ MORE

Cinema LIC

Long Island City
Various dates, July 13 - September 8
Catch a summer film outdoors at Hunters Point South Park and settle under the stars with a gorgeous view. READ MORE

Movies on the Waterfront

Astoria
Mondays, July 31-August 21
Catch a family-friendly outdoor screening, with a gorgeous view of Manhattan and a cool breeze off the river. READ MORE

Movie Night at Alley Pond Park: Minions: Rise of Gru (PG)

Fresh Meadows
Friday, August 11
Alley Pond Park projects a kid-friendly flick under the stars! Please bring your own lawn chair or blanket. READ MORE
Disney and Pixar flicks abound. Lightyear photo courtesy Pixar.
Disney and Pixar flicks abound. Lightyear photo courtesy Pixar.

Free Outdoor Movies in Staten Island in Summer 2023

Movies Under the Stars: Staten Island

Various locations on Staten Island
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Catch a classic or a recently released kid-flick at one of NYC Parks' Movies under the Stars screenings, lighting the night sky in Staten Island parks all summer long. READ MORE
Sink your teeth into Jurassic World - Dominion at Movies Under the Stars. Photo courtesy Universal Pictures
Sink your teeth into Jurassic World - Dominion at Movies Under the Stars. Photo courtesy Universal Pictures

Free Summer 2023 Outdoor Movies in the Bronx

Movies under the Stars: Bronx

Various locations in the Bronx
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Pack a picnic and head to a local park to watch a favorite kid-friendly flick as the sun goes down. NYC Parks' Movies under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Bronx parks all summer long. READ MORE

Starlight Cinema: Outer Space!

South Bronx
Tuesdays, July 11 - August 8
Explore the universe on the Van Cortlandt Park Parade Ground with Starlight Cinema's free outdoor movie series. Seating beings at 7pm with music that matches the release date of the night's movie, followed by movie-themed crafts and, at dusk, the film. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various locations
Multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn
Various locations
Various locations
Various locations
Various locations