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Summer is here and it is movie season in the park. Grab a blanket and some friends and head to one of these NYC parks for a free movie night!
Corey Fuller - Staff Writer
Summer is in full swing, 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!
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” is back for 2022! 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 6pm to set up blankets, chairs, and picnic arrangements before the big showing.
If you’re hungry or thirsty, be sure to stop by the promenade before the viewing as well where there will be plenty of Smorgasburg food options for you to enjoy! Check out more details on their website here.
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!
Complete with food and beverage options curated by Hester Street Fair, and beer and wine available from Stout, the food service begins at 4pm while drinks start just an hour later at 5pm. As for the movies, they begin at 8pm sunset! If you plan on attending, remember that chairs are prohibited on the lawn and pets are not allowed.
Check out more information on the Bryan Park site for what you can and can’t bring!
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. Starting in July and flowing into August, there are currently four screening dates showing everything from Disney movies to last year’s hit film “Dune.”
This is 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. The event starts at 6pm and the movie begins at 8pm.
Learn more on their events page here.
Originally launched in 2008, the annual French film festival “Films on the Green” has returned to Washington Square Park and 9 other parks across the city. These free outdoor screenings are organized by Villa Albertine, The French Embassy, NYC Parks, and FACE Foundation with the mission of “providing free access to high-quality, diverse film programming throughout New York City.” Over the course of the summer, the 12 free screenings will take place across 9 different parks in the city. If you’re looking for a film far from the ordinary, give this free park show a try!
Learn more about all the festival and the different parks here.
Running every Wednesday in August, the “Summer Movies Under the Stars” series will move to Prospect Park. Similarly to Fort Greene Park, caffeine lovers will be able to enjoy a free coffee in the park at the CoffeesUp and Abbotsford Road Coffee Specialists pop up cafe during the movie! Check out August’s lineup below!
Back for its eighth summer of movies in Long Island City is CinemaLIC, a series of movies taking place in Hunter’s Point South Park. Organized by the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy, the park is proud to welcome back a series of movies through the dog days of summer. The experience is set to be top notch, with a 30′ inflatable screen and state of the art sound system. Movies begin at sunset and there are even food and beverages available for purchase. Check out the lineup below!
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!
While there’s too many showings to list all here, be sure to check out the NYC Parks page to find the nearest showing to you!
Central Astoria LDC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing Astoria as a vibrant, affordable, and desirable community, is hosting Movies on the Waterfront at Astoria Park this year. Head to the park’s Great Lawn during any of the times below to enjoy a movie al-fresco with sweeping views of the city. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair or blanket so you can get comfy!
Elizabeth Street Garden nestled in between SoHo and Little Italy is showing movies in their green space every other Wednesday during August. Bring a friend and blanket and enjoy a movie that starts at sundown! The outdoor space can be found at 211 Elizabeth St.