Events Every Free Outdoor Movie Playing in NYC This Summer

The winter of our discontent has passed.  Now, spring and summer’s majesty bring delights to pass away the time.  So give Netflix a rest and put Hulu on hold.  If you’re going to watch anything during these hot days and warm nights, you should watch it under the sun and stars.  Parks across all five boroughs host free screenings pretty much every night of the week, so you can cut your A/C bill and enjoy the balmy breeze while shouting out the lines to Dirty Dancing and A Star Is Born with your fellow New Yorkers.  Unfurl your blanket, crack open a clandestine can of wine, unwrap a homemade brownie, and bask in these free outdoor movie screenings. 

Aquaman | Courtesy of Warner Bros.

MANHATTAN

May 22

Aquaman (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Happy Warrior Playground

Not a regular man -- an aqua man.  May 23

Green Book (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Playground 89

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  May 24

Top Gun (1986)

Intrepid Movie Series, Intrepid Museum

A screening’s battleship venue is on point.  May 24

Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Cherry Tree Park

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  May 24

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, J. Hood Wright Park

Bring a spoonful of sugar and a chair or blanket to this family-friendly screening. 

Christopher Robin | Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

May 25

Christopher Robin (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, William F. Passannante Ballfield

An origin story without any fight scenes.  May 30

Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)

Movies Under The Stars, Seward Park

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  May 31

Dunkirk (2017)

Intrepid Movie Series, Intrepid Museum

Watch a war film aboard a real battleship.  May 31

Bumblebee (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Chelsea Park

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  May 31

Coco Before Chanel (2009)

Films on the Green, Cedar Hill, Central Park

Break out that Canal Street quilted bag for this screening.  June 1

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Carl Schurz Park

Pack a magic nanny bag with a picnic for this family-friendly screening. 

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald | Courtesy of Warner Bros.

June 4

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Samuel N. Bennerson Playground

A magic spell may not get you very far, so bring a picnic and seating just in case.  June 6

Green Book (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Carmansville Playground

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  June 6

A Star Is Born (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Tony Dapolito Recreation Center

Try not to sing too loudly on your picnic blanket (tip: bring lots of cheese).  June 7

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America) Cinema, Columbus Park

Chairs and alcohol are prohibited, but a cozy blankets are encouraged.  June 7

Where Do We Go Now? ( 2011)

Films on the Green, Washington Square Park

Bring a blanket to cushion the pavement, plus snacks. 

Avengers: Infinity War | Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

A Dog's Way Home | Courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group

June 15

A Dog’s Way Home (2019)

Movies Under The Stars, Playground 89

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  June 15

The Little Mermaid (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, White Playground

Pack a (seafood!)  picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  June 17

Big Daddy (1999)

Bryant Park

The lawn opens at 5pm and beer and wine is for sale.  June 19

Aquaman (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Thomas Jefferson Park

The Shape of Water it ain’t.  June 20

BlacKkKlansman (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Wright Brothers Playground

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this screening.  June 20

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994)

Movies Under The Stars, Tony Dapolito Recreation Center

Drag is optional, seating and picnic are highly encouraged. 

Coco | Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

June 21

Coco (2017)

Pride Movie Night, Hudson River Park’s Pier 45

Bring the whole family for this annual inclusive celebration of NYC Pride.  June 21

The Joy Luck Club (1993)

MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America) Cinema, Columbus Park

Chairs and alcohol are prohibited, so bring a cozy blanket.  June 22

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Corporal John A. Seravalli Playground

Poppins’ revenge.  June 24

Fan Choice: Vote on Twitter @vulture starting June 3

Bryant Park

The lawn opens at 5pm and beer and wine is for sale.  June 27

Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Tony Dapolito Recreation Center

Pack a picnic and a chair or blanket for this family-friendly screening.  June 27

Cléo from 5 to 7 (1962), 6pm; and The Portrait of a Lady (1996), 9pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

A double feature means bring double treats. 

Crazy Rich Asians | Courtesy of Warner Bros.

June 28

Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

MOCA (Museum of Chinese in America) Cinema, Columbus Park

All the dumplings in this movie should convince you to just bring your own.  June 29

If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Martin Luther King Jr. Playground

Pack a picnic, seating, and some tissues for this family-friendly screening.  July 1

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

Bryant Park

Invite your high school crush, just because.  The lawn opens at 5pm.  July 5

Tomboy (2011)

Films on the Green, Tompkins Square Park

Bring a blanket for the grass, and stop by Tompkins Square Bagels for an easy picnic.  July 8

Carrie (1976)

Bryant Park

The lawn opens at 5pm, beer and wine is for sale and we hope you don’t see your high school nemesis rising up out of the grass. 

The Warriors | Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

July 10

The Warriors (1979)

Hudson Riverflicks NYC Films, Pier 63, Chelsea

See the sun set over the Hudson on your picnic blanket.  July 10

O Brother, Where Art Thou? ( 2000)

Summer on the Hudson Pier I Picture Show, Riverside Park (at West 70th Street)

Head back to Y2K with this iconic comedy.  July 10

The Amazing Catfish (2013)

Films on the Green, J. Hood Wright Park

Don’t get catfished and bring a friend to this film.  July 11

Two English Girls (1971), 6pm; and Mulholland Dr. (2001) 8:45pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

A double feature means bringing double treats. 

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse | Courtesy of Sony Pictures

July 12

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)

Hudson Riverflicks Family Fridays, Pier 46, Greenwich Village

Friendly neighborhood radioactive arachnid.  July 12

Aya of Yop City (2010)

Films on the Green, Tompkins Square Park

Bring a blanket and whatever you think is appropriate for an East Village screening.  July 15

Bad Boys (1995)

Bryant Park

The lawn opens at 5pm and beer and wine is for sale.  July 17

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Hudson Riverflicks NYC Films, Pier 63, Chelsea

No one will judge if you pick up some Katz’s to eat during this screening.  July 17

The Darjeeling Limited (2007)

Summer on the Hudson Pier I Picture Show, Riverside Park (at West 70th Street)

Watch the sunset and escape to India.  July 18

Come Drink with Me (1966), 6pm; and The Assassin (2015) 8pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

A double feature means bring double treats (and comfortable seating). 

First Man | Courtesy of Universal Pictures

The Lego Movie 2 | Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Anchorman | Courtesy of DreamWorks Pictures

Nocturama | Courtesy of Wild Bunch

August 15

Nocturama (2016), 6pm; and Burning (2018), 8:45pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

Two free movies, one Metrocard swipe to get here -- what a deal!  August 16

Audience Choice

Intrepid Movie Series, Intrepid Museum

Intrepid Movie fans will vote for what they want to screen in the summer heat.  August 16

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019)

Hudson Riverflicks Family Fridays, Pier 46, Greenwich Village

It’s family night!  August 21

Big (1988)

Hudson Riverflicks NYC Films, Pier 63, Chelsea

See New York City through an 80s-era child-adult’s eyes [Millennial joke goes here].  August 21

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

Summer on the Hudson Pier I Picture Show, Riverside Park (at West 70th Street)

Comedy, drama and adventure all come to life on the pier.  August 22

Demonlover (2002), 6pm; and Elle (2016), 8:45pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

A lazy late summer double feature is much better than blasting the window unit A/C at home. 

Trolls | Courtesy of 20th Century Fox

August 23

Trolls (2016)

Hudson Riverflicks Family Fridays, Pier 46, Greenwich Village

Neon wigs not required, but encouraged.  August 29

Velvet Goldmine (1998), 6pm; and Her Smell (2018), 8:30pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

Two films about fame and failure in different eras.  September 3

Olivia (1951)

Films on the Green, Columbia University

The kids are back on campus and so are the boarding school girls in this film.  September 5

Three Times (2005), 6pm; and Moonlight (2016), 8:30pm

The 50th Mixtape, Lincoln Center

Three romantic tales in various eras are complimented by this Academy Award winner’s longform storytelling. 

Miniscule: Valley of the Lost Ants | Courtesy of Le Pacte

BROOKLYN

Crooklyn | Courtesy of Universal Pictures

August 1

Crooklyn (1994)

Movies with a View, Brooklyn Bridge Park

Anything Spike Lee is perfect on an August night.  August 8

The Big Lebowski (1998)

Movies with a View, Brooklyn Bridge Park

Viewers will be in bathrobes.  Trust.  August 15

An American Tail (1986)

Movies with a View, Brooklyn Bridge Park

Old school but timely.  August 22

Selma (2014)

Movies with a View, Brooklyn Bridge Park

An important film to watch.  August 29

Audience Choice

Movies with a View, Brooklyn Bridge Park

Whatever it is, we guarantee the views will be perfect. 

Mary Poppins Returns | Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

QUEENS

Dirty Dancing | Courtesy of Vestron Pictures

The LEGO Ninjago Movie | Courtesy of Warner Bros.

STATEN ISLAND

May 24

The LEGO Ninjago Movie (2017)

Movies Under The Stars, Ocean Breeze Park

Pack a picnic and cozy seating for this family-friendly screening.  May 25

Jaws (1975)

Movies Under The Stars, Franklin F. Roosevelt Boardwalk

Look out for sharks on the ferry ride over.  May 31

Creed II (2018)

Movies Under The Stars, Corporal Thompson Park

Pack a picnic and cozy seating for this family-friendly screening. 

The Incredibles 2 | Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

RANDALL'S ISLAND

Ralph Breaks the Internet | Courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

August 18

Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)

Outdoor Movie Nights at Randall’s Island Park, Field 81

Parents may be relieved that there is indeed internet service on Randall’s Island.  September 8

Creed II (2018)

Outdoor Movie Nights at Randall’s Island Park, Field 42

Fit in one last outdoor movie before it gets too cold. 

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