If you’re looking to find a safe, socially distant form of entertainment—or just want to feel like you’ve time-traveled back to the ’50s—drive-in movie theaters are the way to go.
And luckily, NYC now has tons of options. There are multiple pop-up summer drive-in movie series taking place across the boroughs, plus, if you don’t mind a long drive, there are a bunch further upstate outside the city as well.
Just don’t forget the popcorn!
1. Movies in Your Car in Jamaica, Queens
- Thursday, July 30 at 8pm: Girls Trip
- Thursday, July 30 at 11pm: Training Day
- Friday, July 31 at 8pm: Minions!
- Friday, July 31 at 11pm: Belly
- Saturday, August 1 at 8pm: Sonic the Hedgehog
- Saturday, August 1 at 11pm: Harlem Nights
- Sunday, August 2 at 8pm: Trolls
- Sunday, August 2 at 11pm: Transformers
Where: York College Performing Arts Center, 94-45 Guy R Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY
When: Weekends throughout summer
2. Bel Aire Diner Drive-In: Astoria, Queens
The Bel Aire Diner in Astoria, Queens, which originally opened in 1965, started hosting movie nights in their large (or large for NYC standards) shared parking lot this month at 31-91 21st St. They showed “Grease,” and even had themed food like “The Ones That I Want Mozzarella Sticks” and “Greek-ed Lightning” Greek food platters.
Where: 31 91 21st St, Queens
When: Most weekends, stay on up to on their Instagram here.
3. Tribeca Drive-In Series: Orchard Beach, The Bronx
Tribeca Enterprises, which organizes and hosts the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC every year, has announced the dates and locations of their brand new “Tribeca Drive-In” experience, a drive-in entertainment series that will take place throughout July in cities all across the U.S. And they’re coming to Orchard Beach in NYC (located at Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx)! They will show over 30 iconic movies coast to coast, every single weekend in July. And they’ll also have special screenings for healthcare and frontline workers and concessions from local businesses to support the local community. Screenings in NYC start July 9.
Where: Orchard Beach, Pelham Bay Park, The Bronx
When: Weekends on July, get tickets here.
4. Skyline Drive-In NYC: Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Skyline Drive-In recently opened in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, at 1 Oak Street to be precise. The prime spot, with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline, is also a popular photo and filming location (so you know it’s gorgeous!). They’re also hoping to add walk-in seating and bicycles soon so you don’t even need a car to enjoy.
They plan on having NYC food trucks at their showings, so you can grab a bite while catching a flick. You can always bring your own food as well.
Where: 1 Oak Street, Brooklyn
When: Most night at 9pm, see full schedule here.
5. Queens Drive-In by Rooftop Films, Flushing Corona Meadows Park
Rooftop Films — which, as you can guess, normally hosts rooftop film screenings around the city — has just announced a new drive-in film festival series in the outer boroughs. It’s part of a partnership between Astoria’s Museum of the Moving Image, the New York Hall of Science in Flushing, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The Queens Drive-In, which will be located in Flushing Corona Meadows Park on the grounds of the New York Hall of Science, will open in August (the official date will be announced soon).
Where: Flushing Corona-Meadows Park, Flushing, Queens
When: Weekends August-October, stay updated here.
6. Uptown Drive-In Experience: Yankee Stadium, The Bronx
MASC Hospitality Group, which also puts on the Bronx Night Market and the Bronx Beer Festival, plans to host the “Uptown Drive-In” each weekend in July in a Yankee Stadium parking lot. They want the experience to serve as a “social distancing playground” and “the first step to normalization made right here in our beloved Bronx,” according to the sign-up page. It will include live performances from local musicians, street vendor dining and drinks that will be served right to your car, games, raffles, and of course, movie screenings. It’s said to be opening in July.
Where: Yankee Stadium, 161st Street Bronx, NY
When: Starting in July 2020, sign up here to be the first to know.
7. Warwick Drive-In: Warwick, NY
If you can’t snag tickets to some of these pop-up drive-in movie theaters, there is an actual drive-in move theater in Warwick, New York, just past the northern border of New Jersey. Google Maps says the drive will take about an hour and fifteen minutes from NYC. Warwick Drive-In, which was built in 1950 and has a rich history as a family business throughout all its opening years, officially opened back up on May 15.
Where: 5 Warwick Turnpike, Warwick, NY
When: 7 days/week. Find showtimes here.
8. Fair Oaks Drive-In Theatre: Middletown, NY
Fair Oaks plays a lot of oldies and classic cinema like Dirty Dancing, Scarface, Footloose, Jaws, and more. It originally opened in 1970 and also boasts made-to-order food!
Where: 365 Bloomingburg Rd, Middletown, NY 10940
When: Fridays-Wednesdays, see showtimes here.
9. Overlook Drive-In: Poughkeepsie, NY
This drive-in has been family owned and operated since 1955, and can fit up to 750 cars. Their ticket booth opens one hour before the scheduled showtime of the first movie (you get two movies for the price of one). They do accept debit/credit cards in their full service Snack Bar–which has funnel cake!
Where: 126 De Garmo Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
When: Weekends, see showtimes here.
10. Hyde Park Drive-In: Hyde Park, NY
Hyde Park Drive-In has also been family owned and operated, since 1950! It’s actually now run by the same people as Overlook (#7). Enjoy double feature showings and special advanced screenings for only $10 per adult.
Where: 4114 Albany Post Rd, Hyde Park, NY 12538
When: Weekends, see showtimes here.
Still feeling that drive-in lifestyle? Check out this retro drive-in restaurant just outside of NYC!
featured image source: Instagram / @skyline_drivein_nyc