Hello NYC Lover!

The season for movies under the stars has begun and we are here to share with you the locations and dates, so you won’t miss out. 😉 One of the greatest summer activities in New York is definitely watching one of your favorite movies outside under the summer sky. We have great news for you: The city offers a ton of options and even better news - most are completely free. Let's dive in and have a look at the best outdoor venues across the 5 boroughs. We’ll give you a short list first before we look at each location in more detail.

Bryant Park's Movie Nights
Rooftop Cinema Club
Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movies With A View
Brooklyn’s Movie Nights
Intrepid Free Movie Nights
Oculus Summer Movie Screenings
NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars
Open Air Cinema in Central Park

Bryant Park's Movie Nights

Located centrally in Manhattan, Bryant Park must be the most popular location for a summer movie night without any entrance fees. With that being said it’s recommended to come early to get a good spot! The lawn opens at 5pm, and the movies start at 8pm. So maybe think about bringing something to read or play to pass the waiting time. Another fantastic fact we love - food and drinks from outside are allowed - so no overpriced popcorn. 🙂 If you do prefer to get something onsite, food items are curated by Hester Street Fair on the Fountain Terrace and available for purchase. You can also get alcoholic beverages like beer and wine from Stout NYC on the eastern end of the lawn beginning at 5pm.

Here’s the program:

June 9: Pretty in Pink
June 16: The Wood
June 23: Kinky Boots
June 30: Stand by Me
July 7: Good Will Hunting
July 14: Interstellar
July 21: Ghost
July 28: Pulp Fiction
August 4: Blades of Glory
August 11: The Godfather

Rooftop Cinema Club

If you want to take outdoor movie nights in NYC to the next level, the Rooftop Cinema Club could be exactly what you are looking for! It is located on the 3rd floor Skylawn rooftop of the Embassy Suites Hotel near Bryant Park (60 W 37th St, 3rd floor). As the name already tells, you’ll spend the night on a rooftop and you´ll do so in comfy chairs instead of the ground. Of course, this comes with a little price tag. Prices range around $12 to $31 per ticket depending on seat type and time of day. Please keep in mind outside food and drinks are NOT allowed here. They offer food, snacks and drinks on site, and they also have a variety of cocktails on the menu for the next girls night out. 😉 Movies run every day all through June, July and August. They include classics like Dirty Dancing, Good Will Hunting or Pretty Woman but also more recent movies and movies for kids. This is an event for the whole family, so grab your popcorn, lean back and Lights, Camera Action!

Find the schedule here.

Brooklyn Bridge Park's Movies With A View

Another great outdoor movie night location with spectacular views and no costs is Brooklyn Bridge Park. They do have a smaller selection of films but you get rewarded with amazing views of the Downtown skyline. At this location you can also bring your own food and drinks (gotta love that!), but please keep in mind that outside alcohol and glass bottles are always prohibited. In addition there will be beverages and light movie concessions available for purchase on-site along the Pier 1 Promenade. The movies run Thursday evenings in July and August and seating is on a first come, first served basis. The lawn always opens at 6pm and the movie begins at sunset. Fun fact: The movie nights have a theme and this year's theme will be “Woman in Hollywood”. 🙂

Here’s the complete schedule for this summer:

July 10: Bottoms
July 17: Alien
July 24: Waitress
July 31: The Matrix
August 7: The Wizard of Oz
August 14: Trainwreck
August 21: Hidden Figures
August 28: Public Choice Night (Pretty in Pink, Julie & Julia or Marie Antoinette)

Brooklyn’s Movie Nights

The Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn offer a great selection of movies at four different locations in Brooklyn: McCarren Park, Fort Greene Park, Coney Island, and Prospect Park. Entrance is free at all locations and BYO food and drinks are absolutely allowed. All movies start at sunset and you can find a nice spot to sit on a first come, first served basis. You can RSVP to every movie you would like to watch on the website. This is not required but recommended since there will be complimentary popcorn and candy for RSVP holders (first come, first served, while supplies last) and who does not love some free snacks?! 😋

Here’s the program for all 4 locations:

McCarren Park (Fridays)

June 7: Zoolander
June 14: Empire Records
June 28: But I'm a Cheerleader

Prospect Park (Wednesdays)

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

Coney Island Beach (Thursdays)

July 11: New Release to be Announced
July 18: Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One
July 25: Everything Everywhere All At Once
August 1: Love & Basketball
August 8: The Warriors

Fort Greene Park (Thursdays)

August 15: Past Lives
August 22: School Daze
August 29: Bob Marley: One Love
September 5: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

Intrepid Free Movie Nights

Known for their famous Top Gun Movie Night during Fleet Week the Intrepid Museum also hosts a small but very popular list of movies. The location is truly unmatched as you’ll sit on an original aircraft carrier deck. Movies start at sunset and you are encouraged to bring your own food and drinks, only alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Doors open at 6pm but we recommend coming earlier because space is limited and it’s first come, first served.

Here is the schedule for 2025:

June 27: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
July 25: The Abyss
August 22: Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Oculus Summer Movie Screenings

The Oculus at the World Trade Center might be best known for its striking architecture, but its North Plaza also transforms into a unique open-air movie theater during summer. Friday nights feature blockbusters for the whole family starting at 7pm (seating opens at 6pm), while Saturday matinees are perfect for kids, starting at 2pm. You’re welcome to bring your own blankets or chairs, and while limited seating is available, it’s first come, first served. Bring your own food and drinks (alcohol is prohibited) or grab a snack or beverage from the nearby Oculus Beer Garden. Keep an eye out for fun surprises like photo ops or giveaways! Walk-ups are welcome, but an RSVP on Eventbrite is recommended.

Here is this summer's schedule:

June 13, 7pm: The Birdcage
June 14, 2pm: The Parent (Postponed due to weather)
July 11, 7pm: A League of Their Own
July 12, 2pm: Space Jam (1996)
July 12, 7pm: Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History of Popular Music
August 15, 7pm: Dirty Dancing
August 16, 2pm: Lilo & Stitch (2002)
September 26, 7pm: Twilight
September 27, 2pm: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone

NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars

When you’re not located in the middle of Manhattan, NYC Parks’ Movies Under the Stars could be a great choice for you. They have 63 locations across all 5 boroughs and all of them are free! Movie nights are planned all the way till the end of October and they show everything from great new movies to all-time classics. Especially for families with kids, these events are great, since they have many movies in their program which are fun for all ages - from Toy Story to Mufasa to Inside Out 2 (our personal favorite 😍). Grab a blanket and all your favorite snacks, because outside food and drinks are absolutely allowed for these events!

Find the complete schedule for the different locations here.

Open Air Cinema in Central Park

Central Park between Sheep Meadow & the 72nd Street Cross Drive

Every year, the Central Park Conservancy presents the Central Park Film Festival - a weeklong series of evening movie screenings under the stars. The movie nights will take place on the landscape between Sheep Meadow & the 72nd Street Cross Drive. This year's schedule hasn’t been published yet, but we’ll keep you up to date and add the information here as soon as it becomes available! As a reference, last year’s festival was from August 12th to 16th.

And finally: Pumps or Sneakers?

For most locations, we’d definitely recommend sneakers but if you’re heading to the Rooftop Cinema Club, pumps are totally fine. You won’t feel overdressed, and there’s no grass to sink into. 😊

Whether you're catching a classic under the stars or enjoying a family favorite with city views as your backdrop, outdoor movie nights in NYC offer a summer experience like no other. So grab a blanket, pack some snacks, and make the most of these unforgettable evenings across the city!

Best Locations To See Outdoor Movies In NYC - Schedule For Summer 2025