Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Here Are All Of The Movies Playing For Free Outdoors This Week


By

Jen Carlson

Published Aug 18, 2014

Modified Aug 18, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Jen Carlson

Published Aug 18, 2014

Modified Aug 18, 2014


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

(Original photo by Adrian Cabrero)

We're in the final month of free outdoor movie season! Below are the flicks showing this week—they are all FREE, but bring your own mosquito spray and picnic blanket. Top picks this week: The Royal Tenenbaums, Big, and Grease!

MONDAY

Coney Island Flicks on the Beach (website)

Monday, August 18th, 7:30 p.m.: see Grease

Notes: The movie is screened on a giant 40-foot inflatable screen on the beach at West 10th Street. BYO-picnic.

Central Park (website)

Monday, August 18th, lawn opens at 6:30 p.m., movie at sundown: Big

Notes: BYO-picnic and oversized keyboard blanket.

Bryant Park (website)

Monday, August 18th, lawn opens at 5p.m., movie at sundown: The Shining

Notes: Get there early for a good spot, this place gets crowded! Blankets are allowed, as is your own food and drink, but vendors will also be available if you want to purchase something.

TUESDAY

Red Hook Flicks (website)

Tuesday, August 19th, 8 p.m.: Independence Day will screen at Valentino Pier in Red Hook.

Central Park (website)

Tuesday, August 19th, lawn opens at 6:30 p.m., movie at sundown: The Royal Tenenbaums

Notes: BYO-picnic and child prodigy.

Movie at Crocheron Park in Queens (website)

Tuesday, August 19th, movie at 8 p.m.: Monsters University

Notes: There will be food trucks.

WEDNESDAY

Socrates Sculpture Park (website)

Wednesday, August 20th, film at sundown: Microcosmos

Notes: Live music at 7 p.m. This is a grass and blanket seating situation.

South Street Seaport (website)

Wednesday, August 20th, 8 p.m.: Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Notes: Bring a soft blanket.

RiverFlicks (website)

Wednesday, August 20th, sundown: Captain Phillips on the Pier 63 lawn.

Notes: This one's got FREE POPCORN.

Central Park (website)

Wednesday, August 20th, lawn opens at 6:30 p.m., movie at sundown: The Way We Were

Notes: BYO-picnic.

Summer Movie Series on the Intrepid (website)

Wednesday, August 20th, film at sundown: Top Gun... on a boat!

Notes: Bring something soft to sit on (you can even bring lawn chairs), and BYO-picnic foods.

THURSDAY

Brooklyn Bridge Park (website)

Thursday, August 21st, film at sundown: The Birds

Notes: Bring a blanket and a picnic, and try not to get distracted by the view of the Manhattan skyline, directly behind the giant screen. No chairs allowed on the lawn.

Central Park (website)

Thursday, August 21st, lawn opens at 6:30 p.m., movie at sundown: Coming To America

Notes: BYO-McDowell's picnic.

FRIDAY

RiverFlicks Family Friday (website)

Friday, August 22nd, film at sundown: The Wizard of Oz on Pier 46

Notes: Again, FREE POPCORN.

Central Park (website)

Friday, August 22nd, lawn opens at 6:30 p.m., movie at sundown: Rear Window

Notes: BYO-picnic.

SATURDAY

South Street Seaport (website)

Friday, August 22nd, 8 p.m.: The Aviator

Notes: BYO-picnic and something soft to sit on.

SUNDAY

Habana Outpost (website)

Sunday, August 23rd, 8 p.m.: Purple Rain

Notes: Food will be available for purchase, but BYO-dance moves.

Tagged

free

movies

outdoor

original


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE arts-entertainment

Inside a photographer's journey to visit every neighborhood in New York City

What do you see when you record the whole of the boroughs?

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 5, 2026


Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries

It's a busy month at the branches.

By

Alec Hamilton

Arts & Entertainment

Banned books and Winnie the Pooh: October in NYC libraries

It's a busy month at the branches.

By

Alec Hamilton


NYC music in October: The Strokes, a Blink-182 cover band, and Polish experimentalism

By

Hank Shteamer

Are you a New Yorker? The Department of New Yorker Verification will now decide.

By

Hannah Frishberg

In the mood for a pastoral autumn experience? Try Queens.

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

James Ramsay


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .