Since films were first shown in Bryant Park in 1992, free movie screenings have become a summertime tradition in the City. All kinds of films—Hollywood classics, current blockbusters and indie gems—are screened at outdoor venues throughout the five boroughs, with stunning backdrops like the Manhattan skyline and the Coney Island Cyclone.
This season’s offerings include recent hits like Barbie, ’80s classics Raiders of the Lost Ark and Do the Right Thing, and family-friendly flicks such as The Little Mermaid. Below is a schedule of free film screenings throughout New York City, organized by day of the week. Unless otherwise noted, all screenings start at dusk, typically around 8:30pm. Check the listings for details and then grab a blanket, bring some snacks and enjoy cinema alfresco, NYC style.
NYC Parks Movies Under the Stars
Citywide, May 14–September 6
The far-reaching outdoor movie program is a film buff’s delight, with dozens of screening options in public green spaces throughout the five boroughs. Enjoy family-friendly flicks like Barbie and The Wiz; cultural entries like the Public Theater’s Free Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing; and action movies such as Godzilla vs Kong. Reserved chairs are available at each site for seniors and people with disabilities.
Courtesy, Rooftop Films
Rooftop Films
Citywide, May 17–August 23
Don’t let the name of this popular movie series fool you—screenings take place in every manner of outdoor arena throughout NYC, from cemeteries to high schools to factories to, yes, rooftops. Their yearly lineup of over 40 independent films (with a few blockbusters scattered in) is always hotly anticipated. Just a few of this summer’s offerings include short film programs with themes as varied as romance, Pride and the truly strange; blockbusters like The Little Mermaid; and cult classics such as Little Miss Sunshine. Note that some of the individual Rooftop Film events are ticketed.
Films on the Green. Photo: N Charles
Villa Albertine: Films on the Green
Citywide, May 31–September 6
If you’re not heading to Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, allow Villa Albertine’s Films on the Green summer programming to get you as close as possible with their sports-themed features. The festival screens 11 movies in eight Brooklyn and Manhattan parks and covers subjects such as swimming, boxing and biking.
Courtesy, Bryant Park
Bryant Park Movie Nights
Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue and West 42nd Street, Midtown, Manhattan, June 10–August 12
Manhattan’s popular 4-acre urban oasis has partnered with Paramount+ for another year of bringing the big screen to their urban lawn. The space opens for moviegoers at 5pm and screenings start at 8pm, so show up early to secure your spot. No time to pack a meal? No problem—food and drink curated by Hester Street Fair, as well as beer and wine, is available to purchase. Be sure to bring your coziest picnic blankets to watch epics like Gladiator and Titanic.
Courtesy, Seaport Cinema
Seaport Cinema
The Rooftop at Pier 17, 89 South St., The Seaport, June 10–TBA
The Seaport Cinema curates their Movies on the Water series by having the public vote for the films that they screen on their rooftop, which looks out on the East River and Brooklyn Bridge. They also offer refreshments including popcorn, tater tots, chicken fingers, beer and cocktails. Highlights this summer include School of Rock, Barbie and A Star Is Born.
Lincoln Center Outdoor Film Series
Damrosch Park, Amsterdam Avenue & West 62nd Street, Lincoln Square, Manhattan, June 13–July 25
Film at Lincoln Center, one of the City’s premier arthouse cinemas, is heading to Lincoln Center’s Damrosch Park for two months (they’ll also have onsite concessions). The series kicks off with Black Swan; features a presentation of RRR, an anti-colonial Bollywood buddy comedy, for India Week; and closes July 25 with the political comedy Dick, about two teen girls who get involved with the Watergate scandal.
Courtesy, Prospect Park
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Prospect Park
North end of Prospect Park Meadow, closest to Third Street and Grand Army Plaza entrance, Brooklyn, Wednesdays, June 26–July 17
This year, Prospect Park is one of four Brooklyn parks partnered with Paramount+ showing weekly films; up first on the Prospect Park Long Meadow is Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark (those of a certain age may take umbrage at the extended title). The event is free and does not require tickets, but an advance RSVP also gets you popcorn and refreshments on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition to the Paramount+ movie nights series, a panel and film screening of Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing on July 6 takes place as part of the summerlong Celebrate Brooklyn, which includes concerts, benefits and dance performances.
Intrepid Movie Night Series. Photo: Erika Kapin
Intrepid Movie Night Series
Intrepid Museum, Pier 86, West 46th Street and Hudson River Park, Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan, June 28–August 23
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum provides an atmospheric setting for movies on summer Free Fridays; this season, they’re screening three pioneering space flicks: Apollo 13, First Man and Moonfall.
Randall’s Island Park
Randall’s Island Park’s Field 62, Manhattan, June 30, July 13 and August 9
This scenic island situated between Manhattan, Queens and the Bronx hosts monthly films on the lawn overlooking the Triborough Bridge. If you’re coming from Queens, make an adventure out of it and walk across the bridge’s pedestrian overpass into Randall’s Island (you can also cross from a park in Manhattan at 103rd Street on the Ward’s Island Bridge). This year, the park is showing three films: Migration, Barbie and Elemental. Be sure to bring blankets or lawn chairs to sit on.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies with a View. Photo: Julienne Schaer
Brooklyn Bridge Park Movies with a View
Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn, 80 Furman St., Dumbo, Brooklyn, July 11–August 29
This series has one of New York City’s most awe-inspiring film viewing backdrops: an evening panorama of the twinkling Lower Manhattan skyline, Governors Island and the Brooklyn Bridge. On eight consecutive Thursdays, cozy up on the Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn for favorites like Mean Girls, Bram Stoker’s Dracula and Creed.
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Coney Island
Coney Island Beach at West 12th Street, Thursdays, July 11–August 8
What says New York City summer more than watching The Warriors in Coney Island? As one of four Brooklyn locations under the Paramount+ Movie Nights umbrella this summer, Coney Island invites you to RSVP for any of the films in its series to receive free popcorn, a drin, and the very seat itself, which you can take home with you after enjoying films like Everything Everywhere All at Once, Love & Basketball and, as the natural finale, The Warriors. Come out and play.
