We focus on Manhattan and Brooklyn for this article, but free movies are happening all over NYC in every borough. This has become even more popular over the years; there was a time when Battery Park or Bryant Park were the only places we could find. Now, you can find several parks and outdoor locations that host film series. All of the films are hits-favorites that people universally like and we'll admit some of the selections aren't progressive at all, but it is a nice way to enjoy the outdoors with family, friends or even alone. Turn your cells a MANHATTAN HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival In honor of the midtown park’s reopening two decades ago, one of New York’s most popular outdoor film series will screen a variety of fan favorites spanning decades. While not all of the chosen films are kid-friendly (take a pass on Psycho), they’re likely to garner a large crowds of classic film buffs, so be sure to arrive early with your blanket and picnic to snag a prime spot on the lawn. Lawn opens at 5pm, movies begin after 8pm. Bryant Park (bryantpark.org). Mon July 30—Rebel Without a Cause Mon Aug 6—The Adventures of Robin Hood Mon Aug 13—All About Eve Mon Aug 20—Raiders of the Lost Ark Central Park Conservancy Film Festival The Central Park Conservancy Film Festival has screened a selection of cult favorites rain or shine in the landscape north of Sheep Meadow for ten years in the heart of Manhattan, and this year is no exception. Not only is the festival free to attend, but all movies will also be close captioned. Parents take note: Not all movies are kid-friendly, so use your best judgement before packing up the picnic. Gates open at 6:30pm; movies begin at 8pm. The landscape north of Sheep Meadow, behind Mineral Springs, midpark at 69th St. Enter the park at Central Park West and 72nd St (centralparknyc.org). Tue Aug 21—Do the Right Thing Wed Aug 22—Pee-wee’s Big Adventure Thu Aug 23—The Big Lebowski Fri Aug 24—Animal House Sat Aug 25—Viewer’s choice: Coming to America or Clerks Intrepid Summer Movie Series Sit atop the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum’s flight deck to see a set of family blockbusters, featuring old and modern classic flicks that the tween set will love. Doors open at 7:30pm; movies begin at 8:30pm. Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (intrepidmuseum.org). Fri Aug 3—Jurassic Park Fri Aug 17—The Goonies “Mel Brooks on Film: The Spoof Is in the Pudding” The only indoor series of the summer bunch introduces (slightly older) kids to a selection of hysterical flicks from one of the greatest kings of comedy—Mel Brooks. Screenings start at 6:30pm at the Museum of Jewish Heritage and require tickets for entry. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Movies begin at 6:30pm. There is a suggested donation of $5. Museum of Jewish Heritage (mjhnyc.odrg). Wed Aug 1—History of the World: Part I Wed Aug 8—To Be or Not to Be Movies on the Oval This four-week outdoor movie festival features a handful of modern and classic films. Families are invited to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets and, of course, their friends, and are welcome to spread out on the Stuy Town lawn for a relaxing evening of cinema. Movies begin at 8pm. Wednesdays, June through Aug. Stuyvesant Town (stuytown.com). More movies TBD Movies Under the Stars While not all of these films are geared toward the younger crowd, the movies in this series are sure to delight moviegoers with tweens and older children. This year’s theme is bicycles; use that as your inspiration to breeze along the bike lanes on your way to Riverside Park. Movies begin at 8:30pm. Pier I at 70th St in Riverside Park (riversideparkfund.org). Wed Aug 1—Amélie Wed Aug 8—Pee Wee’s Big Adventure Wed Aug 15—The Triplets of Belleville RCN Monday Night Movies at Waterside Plaza The renowned Manhattan apartment complex welcomes families to lay down a blanket, prop up a lawn chair and enjoy a bag of free popcorn at its August series of family-friendly flicks. Be sure to arrive early; seating is limited. Movies begin at dusk, or around 8:15pm. Mondays, Aug 6–27. East River between 25th and 29th Sts (watersideplaza.com). Mon Aug 6—The Goonies Mon Aug 13—Hook Mon Aug 20—Peter Pan Mon Aug 27—Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl RiverFlicks for Kids Not only does this annual series feature a gorgeous view of the Hudson River, but kids can also fill their bellies with free popcorn as they settle in for a family flick. Movies begin at 8:30pm. Hudson River Park, Pier 46, West St at Charles St (riverflicks.com). Fri Aug 3—Puss in Boots Fri Aug 10—Rango Fri Aug 17—Back to the Future Fri Aug 24—The Smurfs RiverFlicks for Grown-ups As the name implies, this Wednesday-night film series (sister to RiverFlicks for Kids) is aimed at adults (and perfect for a mom-and-dad date night!). However, on several evenings tweens can catch some of last year’s PG-13 hits (we’re big fans of Super 8) and snag free popcorn to boot. Movies begin at 8:30pm. Hudson River Park, Pier 63, Twelfth Ave between 22nd and 24th Sts (riverflicks.com). Wed Aug 1—Limitless Wed Aug 8—Cowboys & Aliens Wed Aug 15—Crazy, Stupid, Love Wed Aug 22—Horrible Bosses Roosevelt Island’s Outdoor Summer Movie Series Take the tram out to Roosevelt Island for this summer series featuring a nice mix of new favorites and timeless classics. While the very little ones might not get much out of The Help or Sherlock Holmes, kids of all ages will have a blast watching animated adventures like Tangled and The Lion King and singing along to the tunes of Grease. Movies begin at 8pm. Firefighters Field on Roosevelt Island (rioc.com). Sat July 21—The Help Sat Aug 4—The Lion King Sat Aug 11—Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows The above is our list of movies for people who like to venture out in Manhattan. Although we LOVE Brooklyn and put a lot of emphasis on its greatness through events that take place here, we also realize the average person thinks "Big Apple" when they go out. But our list of free film locations should be interesting enough to get anyone's attention-and they are all family-friendly flicks. Special thanks to Sydney Ramsden and Rachel Brodsky for the additional research. WE LOVE BROOKLYN! Habana Outpost Brooklyn’s Outdoor Movie Series This eco-eatery’s outdoor series caters to everyone from the young to the slightly less young with its wide array of cinematic options. Among the more kid-friendly flicks are classics like West Side Story, The Princess Bride and Mary Poppins, but parents might want to call a babysitter when they go to see Pulp Fiction or Goodfellas. Movies begin at 8pm. 757 Fulton St at South Portland Ave, Fort Greene, Brooklyn (cafehabana.com). Sun July 29—Coming to America Sun Aug 5—Fast Times at Ridgemont High Sun Aug 12—The Preacher’s Wife Sun Aug 19—St. Elmo’s Fire Sun Aug 26—Billy Elliot Sun Sept 2—Mary Poppins Sun Sept 9—Superman II Sun Sept 16—Friday Sun Sept 23—Once Upon a Time in America Sun Sept 30—Pulp Fiction Sun Oct 7—Goodfellas Sun Oct 14—Major League Sun Oct 21—Who Framed Roger Rabbit Sun Oct 28—Ghostbusters Narrows Botanical Gardens Movie Nights While most of these films are geared toward the adult crowd, parents may consider bringing the older kids to a select few films in this fest. But the little ones won’t be excluded for long—they’ll enjoy the gardens’ gorgeous scenery when the series hosts its family night on July 13. All movies begin at sundown. Shore Rd between Bay Ridge Ave and 72nd St, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (narrowsbg.org). Fri Aug 3—I’m No Angel Fri Sept 7—Forbidden Planet Red Hook Summer Movies Screening an array of fan favorites (last year’s lineup included titles like Men in Black and Wall-E), this ten-week series takes place on Red Hook’s Valentino Pier. Moviegoers can munch on gourmet popcorn from Home/Made (available for $1) and wash it down with soda or water, which is also for sale. (Booze is not permitted.) Movies begin at 8:30pm. Valentino Pier, Red Hook, Brooklyn (redhookflicks.com). In the event of rain, movies are moved to Red Hook Bait and Tackle. Tue July 31—Alien Tue August 7—Zombieland Tue August 14—Blade Tue August 21—E.T. Tue August 28—Red Hook Choice: Young Frankenstein Syfy Movies With a View Set against a spectacular view of lower Manhattan, this outdoor Brooklyn movie mainstay seems to garner a larger following with each passing year. That being the case, be sure to arrive early to beat the massive crowds—you’ll stay entertained with pre-movie sets by local DJs as well as a short film to start the show. Note: A lot of the movies in this lineup are rated R. Music begins at 6pm; movies begin at 8pm. Pier 1, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Brooklyn Heights (brooklynbridgepark.org). Thu Aug 2—Wet Hot American Summer Thu Aug 9—Barefoot in the Park Thu Aug 16—The Big Chill Thu Aug 23—Unforgiven Thu Aug 30—viewers’ choice SummerScreen While this Williamsburg-based series is targeted toward adults, older kids and tweens might enjoy some of the titles, like Dirty Dancing and The Princess Bride. Tweens can also start earning their indie cred by rocking out to sets by local Brooklyn bands before the films start. Live music and “happy hour specials” (not for kids, obviously) start at 6pm. Movies begin at dusk. McCarren Park Ballfields, corner of Bedford and North 12th Sts (summerscreen.org). Wed Aug 1—The Princess Bride Wed Aug 8—Top Gun Wed Aug 15—viewers’ choice
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