Free Outdoor Movies NYC

Summer 2025: Watch movies under the stars at 15+ locations across NYC

Free Outdoor Movies NYC Summer 2025

NYC offers 200+ free outdoor movie screenings including Bryant Park Monday nights, Movies with a View Thursday evenings in Brooklyn Bridge Park, NYC Parks citywide screenings, and specialty series at Intrepid Museum, Oculus Plaza, and Union Square.

Top Movie Series

Movies Under the Stars

Central Park (Manhattan)

Hundreds of free outdoor film screenings in parks and playgrounds across all five boroughs, featuring a mix of recent releases and classic films.

Jun - Sep 2025

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Bryant Park Lawn, Manhattan

Paramount+ Movie Nights - A beloved summer tradition featuring free movie screenings on the lawn.

Mondays, Jun - Aug 2025

Movies with a View

Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, Harbor View Lawn

Enjoy classic and contemporary films with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the East River. The 2025 theme is 'Women In Hollywood.'

Thursdays, Jul - Aug 2025

All Free Movie Series

Movies Under the Stars

Outdoor

Hundreds of free outdoor film screenings in parks and playgrounds across all five boroughs, featuring a mix of recent releases and classic films.

📍Central Park (Manhattan)+ more

🗓Jun - Sep 2025

Free outdoor movies in parks across all five boroughs

Schedule

06/05 8pm, Moana @ Beach 94th, Rockaway

06/11 8pm, Sonic The Hedgehog 3 @ The Arsenal, Central Park

06/11 8pm, Transformers One @ Brigadier General Charles Young Playground, Manhattan

06/12 8pm, The Karate Kid (1984) @ First Park, Manhattan

06/13 8pm, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie @ Walker Park, Staten Island

06/13 8pm, Wonka @ Robert Moses Playground, Manhattan

06/13 8pm, Despicable Me 4 @ Colden Playground, Queens

06/13 8pm, A Bug’s Life @ Athens Square, Queens

06/14 8pm, Captain America @ Herbert Von King Cultural Arts Center, Brooklyn

06/14 8pm, Onward @ Naples Playground, Staten Island

06/14 8pm, Inside Out 2 @ Cherry Tree Park, Manhattan

06/14 8pm, Wicked @ Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan

06/14 8pm, Despicable Me 4 @ Playground Ninety, Queens

06/19 8pm, Mufasa: The Lion King @ Dr. Ronald McNair Park, Brooklyn

06/20 8pm, Mufasa: The Lion King @ Helen Marshall Park, Queens

06/21 8pm, Moana 2 @ Crotona Tennis House, Crotona Park

06/30 9pm, Coco @ Gorman Playground, Queens

07/01 9pm, Paddington in Peru @ Phil 'Scooter' Rizzuto Park, Queens

07/02 8:30pm, Captain America @ Mae Grant Playground, Manhattan

07/02 8:30pm, Justice League vs. Teen Titans @ Willis Playground, Bronx

See the website for up-to-date info

Check the NYC Parks website regularly as new movie titles and locations are added throughout the summer.

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Outdoor

Paramount+ Movie Nights - A beloved summer tradition featuring free movie screenings on the lawn.

📍Bryant Park Lawn, Manhattan

🗓Mondays, Jun - Aug 2025

Schedule

06/09 8pm, Pretty in Pink

06/16 8pm, The Wood

06/23 8pm, Kinky Boots

06/30 8pm, Stand by Me

07/07 8pm, Good Will Hunting

07/14 8pm, Interstellar

07/21 8pm, Ghost

07/28 8pm, Pulp Fiction

08/04 8pm, Blades of Glory

08/11 8pm, The Godfather

See the website for up-to-date info

Very popular, so arrive well before the lawn opens to secure a good spot.

Movies with a View

Outdoor

Enjoy classic and contemporary films with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the East River. The 2025 theme is 'Women In Hollywood.'

📍Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1, Harbor View Lawn

🗓Thursdays, Jul - Aug 2025

Schedule

07/10 sunset, Bottoms

07/17 sunset, Alien

07/24 sunset, Waitress

07/31 sunset, The Matrix

08/07 sunset, The Wizard of Oz

08/14 sunset, Trainwreck

08/21 sunset, Hidden Figures

08/28 sunset, Public Choice (Pretty in Pink, Julie & Julia, or Marie Antoinette)

See the website for up-to-date info

Complimentary popcorn and candy for RSVP holders (first come, first served). One of NYC's most scenic outdoor movie experiences.

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn

Outdoor

Free outdoor film screenings in various Brooklyn parks.

📍Prospect Park (Wednesdays)+ more

🗓Jul - Aug 2025

Schedule

06/13 sunset, Shutter Island @ McCarren Park

06/20 sunset, American Hustle @ McCarren Park

06/27 sunset, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert @ McCarren Park

07/03 sunset, Call Me By Your Name @ Fort Greene Park

07/10 sunset, Gladiator II @ Fort Greene Park

07/17 sunset, Better Man @ Coney Island

07/24 sunset, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy @ Coney Island

07/30 sunset, Mean Girls @ Prospect Park

07/31 sunset, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off @ Coney Island

08/06 sunset, The Smurfs @ Prospect Park

08/07 sunset, The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie @ Coney Island

08/13 sunset, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 @ Prospect Park

08/14 sunset, Clueless @ Fort Greene Park

08/20 sunset, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade @ Prospect Park

08/21 sunset, Dog Day Afternoon @ Fort Greene Park

08/27 sunset, Miss Congeniality @ Prospect Park

See the website for up-to-date info

Films start shortly after sunset.

Intrepid Museum Movie Night Series

Outdoor

Enjoy free movie nights on the historic flight deck of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Theme inspired by 'Mysteries from the Deep: Underwater Archaeology' exhibition.

📍Flight Deck, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, Pier 86, Manhattan

🗓Select Fridays, May - Aug 2025

Schedule

05/23 6pm, Top Gun

06/27 6pm, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

07/25 6pm, The Abyss

08/22 6pm, Atlantis: The Lost Empire

See the website for up-to-date info

Limited seating available (first come, first served). RSVP on Eventbrite is recommended.

Backyard at Hudson Yards

Free

A season-long series of free outdoor movies on the 30-foot Big Screen at Hudson Yards, part of the Backyard at Hudson Yards programming.

📍Hudson Yards, Public Square & Gardens, Manhattan

🗓May - Aug 2025

Schedule

05/09 sunset, Freaky Friday

05/16 sunset, Wicked

05/30 sunset, Tom & Jerry

09/12 sunset, Grease

09/19 sunset, Clueless

09/26 sunset, The Breakfast Club

See the website for up-to-date info

All screenings are free and outdoors. Also includes concerts, fitness, and family programming.

Oculus Outdoors

Outdoor

Free outdoor movie screenings, with family-friendly options on Saturday afternoons and general screenings on Friday nights.

📍The Oculus Plaza, World Trade Center, Manhattan

🗓Jun - Sep 2025

Schedule

06/13 7pm, The Birdcage

06/14 2pm, The Parent Trap (1998)

07/11 7pm, A League of Their Own

07/12 2pm, Space Jam (1996)

07/12 7pm, Taylor Mac's 24-Decade History of Popular Music (special)

08/15 7pm, Dirty Dancing

08/16 2pm, Lilo & Stitch (2002)

09/26 7pm, Twilight

09/27 2pm, Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone

See the website for up-to-date info

Special surprise activations and photo ops at each screening. First come, first served. RSVP on Eventbrite recommended.

Union Square Movie Nights

Outdoor

Free outdoor screenings presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, with pre-screening activities.

📍Union Square Park, North Plaza, Manhattan

🗓Thursdays, Jul - Aug 2025

Schedule

07/24 sunset, The Muppets Take Manhattan

07/31 sunset, Men in Black

08/07 sunset, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three

08/14 sunset, 13 Going on 30

See the website for up-to-date info

Presented by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and the Union Square Partnership. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or mats.

Rooftop Films Summer Series

Free

Rooftop Films presents a series of free outdoor movies and short film programs across NYC parks, plazas, and unique venues, featuring independent films, documentaries, and community-driven cinema experiences.

📍Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn+ more

🗓Jun - Sep 2025

Many events include live music, filmmaker Q&As, and after-parties

Schedule

06/25 7pm, Queerly Beloved: Pride Shorts in the Park @ Fort Greene Park

06/30 7pm, Comrades, Almost a Love Story @ Fort Greene Park

07/15 7pm, Love is Strange: Romance Shorts @ Gansevoort Plaza

07/17 7pm, Folktales @ Msgr. McGolrick Park

07/19 7pm, Bam Bam: The Sister Nancy Story @ Brower Park

07/23 7pm, Trapped: Mind-Altering Shorts @ Brooklyn Commons

07/26 7pm, Selena y Los Dinos @ Brooklyn Army Terminal

07/30 7pm, Dark Toons @ Brooklyn Commons

08/06 7pm, Shahid @ Brooklyn Commons

08/13 7pm, There Was, There Was Not @ Brooklyn Commons

08/16 7pm, Love, Brooklyn @ Bower Park

08/16 7pm, How Deep Is Your Love @ Brooklyn Army Terminal

08/18 7pm, By Design @ Gansevoort Plaza

09/20 7pm, Move Ya Body: The Birth of House @ Brower Park

See the website for up-to-date info

All listed screenings are free and open to the public. Some events may require RSVP.

Perfect Movie Night Tips

🍿

Bring Snacks

Pack your favorite movie snacks and drinks

🧺

Arrive Early

Popular screenings fill up fast, especially Bryant Park

🪑

Bring Comfort

Blankets, chairs, and cushions for optimal viewing

📱

RSVP When Possible

Many series offer perks like free popcorn for RSVPs

🌦️ Weather Policy

Most outdoor screenings are weather-dependent. Check event websites or social media before heading out, as screenings may be cancelled or postponed due to rain.

Movie Screenings by Borough

🏙️

Manhattan

• Bryant Park (Monday nights)
• Intrepid Museum (themed series)
• Oculus Plaza (family & evening)
• Union Square (NYC-themed films)

🌉

Brooklyn

• Brooklyn Bridge Park (skyline views)
• McCarren Park (Friday nights)
• Prospect Park (family films)
• Coney Island Beach (beachside)

🗽

All Boroughs

• NYC Parks (200+ screenings)
• Queens, Bronx & Staten Island
• Local parks and playgrounds
• Recent releases & classics

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