Courtesy of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, by Reist Photography
Warm nights in New York City are best enjoyed outdoors and one of the best ways to appreciate a pleasant spring or summer evening is with an outdoor movie screening. Luckily for New Yorkers, there are tons of places to enjoy a film while also taking in amazing city views and delicious food. Whether you’re looking for new releases, classics, or foreign language films, here are some of the best places in the city to catch an outdoor screening:
Open in May: 1. Rooftop Films
Photo courtesy Rooftop Films, Photo by Emily Hawkes
Rooftop Films just kicked off their 2019 season with a screening in Green-wood Cemetery. This outdoor film company screens movies in exciting locations all over the city and has done so for more than twenty years. Previous locations where screenings have taken place include Roosevelt Island and The Old American Can Factory, which serves as Rooftop Films’ main office. The films, which include documentaries, indies, and film festival favorites, are accompanied by live musical performances, Q&A sessions and after-parties. This summer, films will be screened in locations like The William Vale, and the New Design High School.
Schedule:
May 25th: Running with Beto
New Design High School, Lower East Side, Manhattan
May 30th: Sweet Sweetback’s Baadassss Redux, Remix & Requiem
Fort Greene Park, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
May 31st: Dangerous Documentaries, Short Film Program
MetroTech Commons, Downtown, Brooklyn
June 5th: Trapped:Uncanny Mindbenders, Short Film Program
MetroTech Commons, Downtown, Brooklyn
June 7th: Goldie
New Design High School, Lower East Side, Manhattan
June 11th: The Edge of Democracy
The William Vale, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
June 13th: Well Groomed
Fort Greene Park, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
June 14th: New York Non-Fiction, Short Film Program
Green-Wood Cemetery, Greenwood, Brooklyn
June 19th: The Big Muddy, Short Film Program
MetroTech Commons, Downtown, Brooklyn
June 22nd: Strange Negotiations
Green-Wood Cemetery, Greenwood, Brooklyn
June 26th: My Days of Mercy
The William Vale, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
June 28th: The Sound of Silence
New Design High School, Lower East Side, Manhattan
July 1st: Pink Wall
The William Vale, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
July 11th: Sister Aimee
Fort Greene Park, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
July 19th: The Pine Barrens
Green-Wood Cemetery, Greenwood, Brooklyn
July 23rd: Love is Short, Short Film Program
The William Vale, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
July 31st: Yes, God, Yes
The William Vale, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
August 17th: August Youth: NYC and Beyond
Murmrr Theatre, Brooklyn
August 21st: Greener Grass
The William Vale, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
2. Films on the Green
Courtesy of the Cultural Services French Embassy, Photograph by N. Charles
This season, the Cultural Services French Embassy’s Films on the Green outdoor summer film series will focus on the work of female directors in French and Francophone cinema. Screenings, which start on May 31st, take place a different green spaces around New York City including Cedar Hill in Central Park, Washington Square Park, Transmitter park in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and others. Now in its 12th season, the series will show thirteen films made by female filmmakers in honor of Agnès Varda, a feminist filmmaker and pioneer of the French New Wave who passed away earlier this year. Films featured come from Lebanon, the Ivory Coast, Mexico and Turkey. This series is free and open to the public.
Schedule:
May 31st: Coco Before Chanel
Central Park Cedar Hill
Fifth Avenue & 79th Street
New York, NY
June 7th: Where Do We Go Now
Washington Square Park
June 10th: Miniscule, Valley of the Lost Ants
McGolrick Park
June 14th: In Safe Hands
Washington Square Park
New York, NY
June 21st: Peppermint Soda
Transmitter Park
2 Greenpoint Ave
Brooklyn NY
June 28th: Mustang
Transmitter Park
July 5th: Tomboy
Tompkins Square Park
New York, NY
July 10th: Amazing Catfish
J. Hood Wright Park
351 Fort Washington Ave
New York, NY 10033
July 12th: Aya of Yop City
Tompkins Square Park
New York, NY
July 19th: Sequins
Riverside Park Pier I
500 West 70th Street, New York
July 26th: Chocolat
Riverside Park Pier I
August 31st: Jacquot de Nantes
Jack Alter Fort Lee Community center
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
September 3rd: Olivia
Columbia University, Rotunda, Low Memorial Library
535 w. 116th Street
New York, NY 10027
3. Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum
Courtesy of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, by Reist Photography
Starting this week, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum will hosts movie nights atop the historic ship’s flight deck. Surrounded by views of the Hudson River and city skyline, the movies screened are just as epic as the location including titles like Top Gun, Dunkirk, and First Man. Admission is free and spots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis when the flight deck opens at 5:00pm. The movie begins at sunset.
Schedule:
May 24: Top Gun (1986)
May 31: Dunkirk
June 21: APOLLO 11 Documentary
July 19: First Man
August 16: Community choice pick
4. Habana Outpost, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
A great spot for dinner and a movie is Habana Outpost in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Movie Nights at this Cuban and Mexican restaurant take place in an outdoor courtyard filled with picnic tables so you can enjoy some grilled corn and other dishes while watching 90s throwbacks like Liar Liar or Never Been Kissed. Movie Nights run all the way through October, ending right before Halloween this year with a screening of Hocus Pocus.
Schedule:
May 26: Love Jones PG
June 2: The Wedding Singer PG (1998)
June 9: El Cantante R (2006)
June 16: Bad Boys R (1995)
June 23: What Women Want PG (2000)
June 30: Tyson R (1995)
July 7: Cliffhanger R (1993)
July 14: Liar Liar PG (1997)
July 21: The Professional R (1994)
July 28: He Got Game R (1998)
Aug. 4: Never Been Kissed PG (1999)
Aug. 11: Step Up PG (2006)
Aug. 18: The Super R (1991)
Aug. 25: Notorious R (2009)
Sep. 1: Jurrasic Park PG (1993)
Sep. 8: Fifth Element PG (1997)
Sep. 15: Fight Club R (1999)
Sep. 22: Wild Wild West PG (1999)
Sep. 29: Paid In Full R (2002)
Oct. 6: Goodfellas R (1990)
Oct. 13: Sister Act R (1992)
Oct. 20: Scream R (1996)
Oct. 27: Hocus Pocus PG (1093)
5. Movie Nights at Randall’s Island
Courtesy of Randall’s Island Park Alliance, Photograph by Toby Tenenbaum
Randall’s Island Park Alliance will present a selection of family friendly films screened outdoors on at Field 81 through August 18th. The free movie events will feature games and crafts before the screening begins at 8:30pm. There is even free popcorn, but you’ll have to get there early to get some before it runs out.
Schedule:
May 24th: Incredibles 2
June 8th: Mary Poppins Returns
June 15th: Black Panther
July 14th: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
July 28th: Tangled
August 11th: Crazy Rich Asians
August 18th: Ralph Breaks the Internet
6. CinemaLIC
Photograph Courtesy of Hunters Point Parks Conservancy
CinemaLIC screens some of the best classic and independent movies on the waterfront in Long Island City’s Hunters Point South Park. 2019 marks the 6th season of this outdoor movie series set against the backdrop of New York City’s skyline. Films featured this season include Mary Poppins Returns, Jaws and Dirty Dancing. The series ends on September 3rd.
Schedule:
May 18th: Sing
June 22nd: Crazy Rich Asians
July 18th: Dirty Dancing
August 15th: Jaws
September 7th: Mary Poppins Returns
Opening in June: 7. Moonlight and Movies at the Museum of the City of New York
In conjunction with the museum’s new exhibition City of Workers, City of Struggle: How Labor Movements Changed New York, the Museum of the City of New York will be presenting for films al fresco on the museum’s terrace. As part of the Moonlight and Movies series, the films this summer will showcase portraits of workers challenging business as usual, from Dolly Parton in 9 to 5 to Marlon Brando in On the Waterfront. Each film is preceded by an introduction by a notable guest.
Schedule:
June 20th: 9 to 5
July 16th: En el Séptimo Día
August 21st: Modern Times
September 10th: On the Waterfront
8. MOCA Cinema at Columbus Park
The Museum of Chinese in America will present a series of films at the Columbus Park ball fields in partnership with the NYC Parks Department. MOCA Cinema free outdoor screenings will include Kung Fu Panda, The Professor: Tai Chi’s Journey West, The Joy Luck Club, and Crazy Rich Asians. Chairs are prohibited so guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or towel. Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are also not allowed.
Schedule:
June 7: Kung Fu Panda
June 14: The Professor: Tai Chi’s Journey West
June 21:The Joy Luck Club
June 28: Crazy Rich Asians
9. Movie Nights at Bryant Park
Courtesy of Bryant Park, by Angelito Jusay Photography
Movie Nights at Bryant Park presented by Netflix will begin on June 10th with the classic Tom Hanks film Big. In between favorites like Goodfellas, and Anchorman, visitors can vote for a Fan Choice screening, picking a winner out of a list of films curated by Vulture. Moviegoers are encouraged to bring a blanket to sit on the lawn, as no chairs are allowed. The lawn opens at 5pm and the movie starts around sunset. Food is available for purchase from vendors at the Hester Street Fair on the park’s fountain terrace. Beer and wine are also available for purchase.
Schedule:
June 10: Big
June 17: Big Daddy
June 24: Fan Choice TBD
July 1: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
July 8: Carrie (1976)
July 15: Bad Boys
July 22: Coming To America
July 29: Goodfellas
August 5: Anchorman
August 12: Fan Choice TBD
10. Rooftop Cinema Club at Embassy Suites Hotel in Midtown
Located at the Skylawn Rooftop at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Midtown, the Rooftop Cinema Club shows a mix of new releases and classic films. The Rooftop Cinema club experience includes wireless headphones, adjustable deck chairs and access to the Skylawn Rooftop Bar. Films released with this summer’s line-up so far include 2018’s A Star is Born, Baz Luhrman’s Romeo and Juliet, and Dirty Dancing. Some days have special screenings which recognize a holiday or film anniversary. This June, Rooftop Cinema Club will screen Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion in honor of Best Friend’s Day. One thing to note, this location is cashless, so bring your credit/debit card.
Schedule (sold out shows not listed):
June 2nd: Coming to America
June 8th: Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
June 25th: Love Jones
June 28th: Dirty Dancing
11. Narrows Botanical Garden
One of New York City’s largest and longest lasting all-volunteer gardening initiatives, the Narrows Botanical Garden in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn hosts free movie nights on select Fridays from June 21st through August 23rd. The films screened are a mix of family friendly fare like Ralph Breaks the Internet, Black Panther and Wonder Woman along with cinematic classics like Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo.
Schedule:
June 21st: Black Panther
July 12th: Wreck-It Ralph
July 26th: Vertigo
August 16th: Wonder Woman
August 23rd: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
12. Governors Island
Courtesy of The Trust for Governors Island, Photograph by Timothy Schenck
For the second year, The Trust for Governor’s Island and Film at Lincoln Center have partnered to present a series of three outdoor screenings on the island. Theme is “Escape in New York,” and all three films celebrate the ways in which our city provides an escape, whether from the routine or pain of the past. Screenings are free and open to the public with pre-show entertainment starting at 6:00PM. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at each screening, including a beer garden by Threes Brewing, food by Perros y Vainas, People’s Pops, Melt Bakery and more.
Schedule:
June 14: Men in Black, preceded by Mr. Yellow Sweatshirt (Pacho Velez & Yoni Brook, 2017, 8m)
July 12: After Hours, preceded by Ada (Eleanore Pienta, 2018, 11m)
August 9: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, preceded by To the Unknown (Michael Almereyda, 2018, 6m)
13. Opening in July: Coney Island Flicks on the Beach
Coney Island Flicks on the Beach will bring four classic films to the Coney Island waterfront this summer. Every other Monday from July 9th through August 20th, head to the beach at West 12th Street to watch films like Back to the Future, The Greatest Showman and Coco, just steps away from the legendary Wonder Wheel and Luna Park.
Schedule:
July 9th: The Greatest Showman
July 30th: Back to the Future
August 6th: Coco
August 20th:
Black Panther
14. Pier I Picture Show
Courtesy of Riverside Park, Photograph by Kamel Lahmadi
Every Wednesday at 6:30PM Pier I at Riverside Park opens for guests of the Pier 1 Picture Show, a free outdoor movie series presented by Street Easy with stunning views of the Hudson River. The screenings are free and open and chairs are provided but seating is limited. Films that will be shown this summer include Life of Pi, O Brother Where Art Thou?, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
Schedule:
July 10: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
July 17: The Darjeeling Limited
July 24: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 31: Little Miss Sunshine
August 7: Kubo and the Two Strings
August 14: Life of Pi
August 21: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
15. Hudson RiverFlicks
Courtesy of Hudson River Park, Photograph by Max Guliani for Hudson River Park
Hudson RiverFlicks, Iconic NYC Films at Pier 63 Lawn Bowl in Hudson River Park will kick off on July 10th with a screening of The Warriors with a remixed soundtrack produced live by DJ 2-Tone Jones. All of the films screened in the series, like When Harry Met Sally, Moonstruck, and Do the Right Thing, are set in New York City. The screenings are free an open to the public starting at 8:30pm.
Schedule:
July 10th: The Warriors – Can I Kick It? Presented in partnership with Shaolin Jazz
July 17th: When Harry Met Sally
July 24th: Moonstruck
July 31st: Do The Right Thing
August 7th: Tootsie
August 14th: The Last Dragon – Can I Kick It? Presented in partnership with Shaolin Jazz
August 21st: Big
16. Movies with a View at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Courtesy of Brooklyn Bridge Park, © Etienne Frossard
Movies with a View is celebrating twenty years of Brooklyn Bridge Park. This summer movie series has been running since 2000 and has welcomed more than 1,700,000 visitors. The eight week film series is free and open to the public and includes amazing views of the New York City skyline. The series, which takes place at Pier 1 on Thursday evenings, will begin on July 11th and run until August 29th. This year, the series will show popular film from throughout its twenty year history in fitting with the theme “Better the Second Time Around.” Titles that will be screened include The Big Lebowski, Crooklyn, and Selma. The final film of the series will be chosen by a public vote. The choices are: The Adventures of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert (1994), Groundhog Day (1993) and Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971).
Schedule:
July 11th: Pariah
July 18th: Girlfight
July 25th: It Happened One Night
August 1st: Crooklyn
August 8th:The Big Lebowski
August 15th: An American Tail
August 22nd: Selma
August 29th: Movies with a View Public Vote
17. Socrates Sculpture Park
Photo Courtesy Socrates Sculpture Park
If you’re looking to catch a film with more international flare, check out the diverse foreign language films screened at Socrates Sculpture Park on Wednesday between July 3rd and August 21st. The Outdoor Cinema international film festival is presented in partnership with Film Forum and in collaboration with Rooftop Films. All of the films are accompanied by pre-movie music and dance performances and cuisine from the film’s country of origin. The festivities begin at 7:00PM and the film starts when night falls. These screening are free of charge and no RSVP is required, however you can make a donation and become a CinemaStar grants you access to reserved VIP lounge chairs and having a message displayed on the big screen.
Schedule:
July 3rd: Cielo (Canada/Chile)
July 10th: Purple Moon (France/Italy)
July 17th: Anbessa (Ehtiopia/Italy)
July 24th: The Story of the Weeping Camel (Germany/Mongolia)
July 31st: En el Séptimo Día (United States)
August 7th: Dark Toons (Europe)
August 14th: La Ciénaga (Argentina)
August 21st: March of the Penguins (France)
18. Open in August: Central Park Film Festival
Courtesy of the Central Park Conservancy
Every August, the Central Park Conservancy hosts a week of evening film screenings that are free and open to the public. Located between Sheep’s Meadow and 72nd Street Cross Drive, the festival will run from August 14th through August 17th. Films have not yet been released for the 2019 season.
August 13: Back to the Future (1985, PG)
August 14th: Moonstruck (1987, PG)
August 15: Black Panther (2018, PG-13)
Next, check out 14 Drive-In Theaters Across New York State
