What is summer in New York City without outdoor movies? Each year, parks, rooftops, and waterfronts across Manhattan and Brooklyn transform into open‑air cinemas, offering everything from family favorites to pop‑culture classics. Summer 2026 is shaping up to be another great season to bring a blanket, grab snacks, and enjoy a movie under the stars.
Below is a guide to some of NYC’s most popular outdoor movie series, with schedules typically running from late June through early fall. Lineups are announced closer to the start of the season, so be sure to check each host’s website for the latest updates.
Manhattan
Mondays | Free
Monday nights at Bryant Park are a summer staple. Lawns typically open in the late afternoon for picnicking, with movies beginning after sunset. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to claim a spot on the lawn.
Food vendors, including the Hester Street Fair on the Fountain Terrace, are usually open throughout the evening, and a bar tent near the screen offers seasonal drinks. Expect a lineup that mixes classics, crowd‑pleasers, and pop‑culture favorites.
Select Fridays | Free
Enjoy a movie aboard an aircraft carrier at the Intrepid Museum’s outdoor film series. Screenings take place on the flight deck around sunset and often feature films tied to aviation, adventure, or science themes.
Light concessions are typically available, and visitors may bring their own food and non‑alcoholic beverages. The Intrepid often pairs select movie nights with special programming, including stargazing and astronomy events.
Friday, May 22: Top Gun
Friday, June 26: Independence Day
Friday, July 31: National Treasure
Friday, August 28: An American Tale: Fievel Goes West
Fridays and Saturdays | Free
The Oculus hosts outdoor screenings throughout the summer, often paired with interactive elements like photo opportunities, giveaways, or special activations. Friday evening films usually begin after work hours, while Saturday screenings tend to be held in the afternoon.
Seating is first‑come, first‑served, and RSVPs are often recommended due to limited capacity.
Thursday, June 11: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Friday, June 12: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Thursday, July 23: Bridget Jones’s Diary
Friday, July 24: She’s the Man
Thursday, August 13: Pretty in Pink
Friday, August 14: Spy Kids
Thursday, September 17: Zoolander
Friday, September 18: Addams Family
Daily | Ticketed
For a more curated experience, Rooftop Cinema Club offers nightly screenings atop a Midtown rooftop. With wireless headphones, lounge seating, and sweeping skyline views, it’s a polished take on the outdoor movie night.
Expect rotating programming that includes romantic comedies, blockbusters, and nostalgic favorites. Ticket prices vary by seating type and showtime.
Brooklyn
Thursdays | Free
One of Brooklyn’s most beloved summer traditions, Movies With A View typically runs on Thursday evenings in July and August. Screenings take place at Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn, with Manhattan’s skyline serving as the backdrop.
Lawn seating opens in the early evening, and films begin at sunset. Each season usually features a themed lineup celebrating a particular genre or moment in film history.
Free
Free outdoor movie nights also pop up across Brooklyn’s parks each summer, often hosted by Brooklyn Magazine and Paramount+. Locations typically include:
- Prospect Park
- Fort Greene Park
- McCarren Park
- Coney Island
Screenings rotate by location and day of the week, with family‑friendly titles and blockbuster favorites featured throughout the season.
Ticketed
Located on one of Williamsburg’s most scenic rooftops, Vale Cinema offers outdoor screenings at The Turf Club, as well as “Dive‑In Movies” at the hotel’s pool.
Guests can expect themed cocktails, curated snacks, and a lineup heavy on nostalgic favorites and crowd‑pleasers. This is one of the city’s more elevated outdoor movie experiences and a popular choice for date nights.
Written by Sabrina Rollings