For New Yorkers who want to buck the tradition of escaping into a cool movie theater but still beat the muggy, oven-like heat of the city’s concrete and glass buildings, there are always movies under the stars.
Join friends and family for largely free outdoor movie screenings around some of New York City’s most famous parks and coolest destinations. Here’s a list of offerings across the city:
The city’s park system offers free outdoor music across the park system in every borough. Most screenings are family-friendly, but some offer a parental discretion warning. Seating is first come first serve and the feature film generally begins around 8. Concessions and beverages vary by park. Check the Parks Department website, nycgovparks.org, for details.
Paramount+ Movie Nights at Bryant Park
Each year, the lawn at Bryant Park in Midtown is flooded with moviegoers for the Movie Nights at Bryant Park series presented by Paramount+. Beginning in mid-July and continuing through September, the massively popular free movie series fills up quickly.
The small park’s lawn will open at 5 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, and movies are set to start at 8 p.m. Guests are welcome to bring blankets and picnics, but pets, chairs, tables, and plastic coverings are strictly prohibited. On the bright side, the movies boast arguably the nicest public bathroom in the city, even if the line takes half an hour or more.
Each summer, the Central Park Conservancy typically hosts a weeklong film festival near Sheep Meadow, combining movies with local programming ahead of the feature film beginning around sundown with preshow events starting around 6:30 p.m. The lineup typically includes a mix of film styles, including classics, documentaries, and family-friendly features. Viewers are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics.
Movies With a View at Brooklyn Bridge Park
For movies with a Manhattan skyline backdrop, head to Movies With a View at Brooklyn Bridge Park. On Thursday nights in July and August, at Pier 1 on Harbor View Lawn, the park screens movies—again encouraging picnicking—but also cautioning parents that some movies may be rated PG-13 or R.
Free Movie Night series at the Intrepid
Friday evenings in the summer, the historic Intrepid Museum screens free movies on the deck of the West Side military ship at sundown. The deck opens at 6 p.m., but guests are encouraged to get there early to claim their spot. Outside food is allowed, but alcohol is not. The movie will begin at sundown.
Movie Nights in the Square: Domino Square
Domino Square is doing double duty with two showings this summer, featuring one family-friendly movie around 4 p.m. and another showing around 7.p.m., presented by Nitehawk Theater. Viewings will be every other Tuesday beginning July 7. The square will open around 3:30 p.m. for the first screening and 6 p.m. for the later screening.
This organization promotes independent filmmakers, screening films on rooftops, parks, and public spaces across the city to show indie films—often free when you RSVP. Members get priority access to film screenings. Some screenings, such as the World Cinema Nights at Fort Greene Park in Brooklyn, represent a public-private partnership that brings cinema to NYC communities.