Summer is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to kickback, grab some friends, and spend some time in one of NYC’s finest parks. With the weather in the perfect state and the sun setting later and later, what could be better than catching a free movie on the big screen!
You heard us right, for free! No matter if you’re if in Midtown to Brooklyn, there are hundreds of free outdoor movies you can enjoy in your local park. Well, let’s get into it. Here are some of the parks hosting free movies this summer!
1. Brooklyn Bridge Park
Showing movies on one of NYC’s favorite big screens for over 20 years, Brooklyn Bridge Park’s free outdoor movie series “Movies With A View” returns for its 24th season in 2024!
This season’s run takes place back on the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn every Thursday night starting in July. With movies starting at sundown (around 8 – 8:30 pm), movie goers can arrive as early as 5 pm to set up blankets, chairs, and picnic arrangements before the big showing. See the lineup below:
- July 11 – Past Lives
- July 18 – Pulp Fiction
- July 25 – Mean Girls
- August 1 – Creed
- August 8 – But I’m A Cheerleader
- August 15 – Bram Stroker’s Dracula
- August 22 – The American President
- August 29 – Public Choice
2. Bryant Park
Bryant Park is home to tons of fun events throughout the year, and back again this summer is their outdoor movies series in the park. Sponsored by Paramount+ and in collaboration with Vulture, screenings will take place every Monday evening from June until August! See the full lineup below and learn more about Bryant Park Movie Nights here:
- June 17 – The Talented Mr. Ripley
- June 24 – Boomerang
- July 1 – The Gladiator
- July 8 – Old School
- July 15 – Funny Face
- July 22 – Cinema Paradiso
- July 29 – How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
- August 5 – Arrival
- August 12 – Titanic
3. Washington Square Park, Tompkins Square Park, + More
To celebrate this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, a sports-themed film festival called Films on the Green is taking over NYC parks, showcasing a mix of classic and contemporary French films with English subtitles. The 11 films will be curated into the theme “Sports in Film” and aims to celebrate human achievement, cinema, and the outdoors. Check out the full lineup with locations below!
- June 14 – Washington Square Park: The Odyssey by Jérôme Salle
- June 21 – Transmitter Park, Brooklyn: My Donkey, My Lover & I by Caroline Vignal
- June 28 – J. Hood Wright Park: The Triplets of Belleville by Sylvain Chomet
- July 5 – Seward Park: Marinette by Virginie Verrier
- July 12 – Seward Park: Air of Paris by Marcel Carné
- July 19 – Riverside Park, Pier I: Les Cinq Tulipes Rouges by Jean Stelli – US PREMIERE
- July 26 – Riverside Park, Pier I: The Golden Ball by Cheik Doukouré
- TBA: Ride Above by Christian Duguay
- September 6 – McGolrick Park, Brooklyn: Racetime by Benoît Godbout
4. Randall Island’s Park
In a park that boasts some of the best views of NYC, Randall’s Island Park is a must-hit spot for their free movie nights this summer. It’s the perfect place to bring kids or event a big group of friends! Grab some chairs and come early for their limited amount of free snacks too. Check out the full schedule of movies below and stay tuned for more announcements:
- June 30: Migration
- July 13: Barbie
- August 9: Elemental
Learn more about Randall’s Island Movie Nights here.
5. Prospect Park
Prospect Park in Brooklyn is hosting Paramount+ Movie Nights once again this year, with screenings happening on Wednesdays during June and July. Check out the lineup below:
- June 26: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
- July 3: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
- July 10: School of Rock
- July 17: Clueless
6. Hunter’s Point South Park
Last year was the ninth summer of movies in Long Island City is CinemaLIC, a series of movies that took place in Hunter’s Point South Park. Organized by the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, the experience is top notch, with a 30′ inflatable screen and state of the art sound system. Info hasn’t been released yet for this year, but typically movies begin at sunset and there are even food and beverages available for purchase.
7. Fort Greene Park
As a part of Paramount+ Movie Nights, catch a flick in Fort Greene Park on Thursdays during August and early September! Check out the full lineup of dates and movies below:
- August 15: Past Lives
- August 22: School Daze
- August 29: Bob Marley: One Love
- September 5: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem
8. McCarren Park
McCarren Park in Williamsburg will host a full lineup of June screenings, happening on select Fridays during the month. Check out the movie lineup and dates below:
- June 14: Empire Records
- June 28: But I’m a Cheerleader
9. Union Square Park
As a part of Union Square Partnership’s Summer in the Square, they’ll be hosting a serires of family-friendly movie nights on select Thursdays throughout the summer! Check out the full lineup of movies coming to Union Square Park below:
- July 18: Moonstruck
- July 25: Little Shop of Horrors
- August 1: Jurassic Park
10. Movies Under the Stars (Multiple Locations)
No matter where you are in New York City, you’re sure to find one of the 150 free movie screenings part of the “Movies Under the Stars” series happening this summer. Organized by NYC Parks and the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, these different viewings will happen across all 5 boroughs of New York all summer long.
Movies will range from family-friendly feel goods to all-time classics. Plus, most parks will have accessible seating for seniors and ample space for your whole crew!
View the 2024 schedule for Movies Under the Stars here.