Cool off in Lake Marcia after a hike in High Point State Park. Photo courtesy of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
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Head down to Ort Farm's Strawberry Festival and enjoy animals, pony rides, cow train, food vendors, and strawberry picking. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Cool off at the Watsessing Park splash pad in East Orange. Photo by Margaret Hargrove
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The Essex County Cherry Blossom Festival is full of springtime family fun. Video by Andre Sala
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Allow yourself to get drawn into the mesmerizing art at the Morris Museum next time you're looking for indoor activities for kids in New Jersey. Photo by Kaylynn Chiarello Ebner
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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Bounce, climb, and jump at BounceU in Paramus, one of our top indoor play spaces in northern New Jersey.
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Nickelodeon Universe is one of the can't-miss destinations at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo courtesy of the venue
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Big-name Broadway shows like &Juliet come at a premium prices, but there are ways to save on Broadway tickets. Photo by Aka NYC.
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Hike the Appalachian Trail—72 miles are n New Jersey! Photo courtesy of Visit NJ
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New Jersey kids can find free fun climbing the pirate ship at the free Garden State Plaza Westfield mall. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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The Camden Children's Garden offers free admission for children under 2.
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Free Outdoor Movies in NYC this Summer for Kids

Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
Enjoy the popular Movies With a View series at Brooklyn Bridge Park in July and August. Photo by Etienne Frossard
5/21/23 - By Drew Kristofik

New York City screens tons of free outdoor movies each summer, and many of them are just for kids and families. We keep an eye on these special outdoor summer movie screenings all season long, including the Movies Under the Stars series, which offers screenings in some of our favorite parks and playgrounds in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx.

Movies usually begin when evening falls, but plan to arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot. Even if your local park is screening a flick you've watched a dozen times before, it's a totally different experience viewing it in the open air alongside other fans. It's a thrilling, communal event, and a summer rite of passage for New Yorkers of all ages.

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More Free Activities in NYC this Summer

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Outdoor Movie Nights in Manhattan During Summer 2024

Movies Under the Stars: Manhattan

Multiple Manhattan Locations
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Stars onscreen and in the sky! Cuddle up on a blanket with a pizza or picnic and catch a free kid-friendly flick. NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Manhattan parks all summer long. READ MORE

Films on the Green

Multiple locations in Manhattan and Brooklyn
Fridays from May 31-July 26, 2024
Also on September 5 & 6
A French film on a summer night! Films on the Green is a free outdoor French film festival in New York City parks. READ MORE

Intrepid Summer Movie Series

Midtown West
Fridays June 28, July 26, and August 30, 2024
Watch a movie on the ship’s flight deck under the stars! Enjoy views of the Hudson River and city skyline while you watch some old and new favorites on the big screen. READ MORE

Bryant Park Movie Nights

Midtown West
Mondays from June 10-August 12, 2024
Classic films under the stars on the big screen are back in Bryant Park, and this summer, the series celebrates its 30th anniversary. Bring a blanket and sit on the lawn to enjoy great food, friends, and entertainment.  READ MORE

Seaport Cinema at Pier 17

Seaport
Mondays June 10, July 1, and August 12, 2024
Seaport Cinema screens family-friendly films on the rooftop, featuring themed food, cocktails (for adults), and surprises throughout the season. READ MORE

Movie Night on Randall's Island: Migration

Randall's Island
Sunday, June 30, 2024
Pack a picnic and take your family out for a screening of Migration (PG) under the stars. Arive early for games and crafts. READ MORE

Summer on the Hudson: Pier I Picture Show in Riverside Park

Upper West Side
Wednesdays from July 10-August 21, 2024
Settle in for a movie night on the pier! Bring a blanket and a picnic and watch family-friendly flicks with the Hudson River as a backdrop. Seating opens at 6:30pm. The movies start after sunset, around 8:30pm. READ MORE

Movie Night on Randall's Island: Barbie

Randall's Island
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Pack a picnic and take your family out for a screening of Barbie (PG-13) under the stars. Arrive early for games and crafts. READ MORE

Sunset Film Festival

Upper East Side
Wednesdays August 7 and 14, 2024
Carl Schurz's all-too-brief foray into outdoor evening films includes two family-friendly favorites this summer. READ MORE

Movie Night on Randall's Island: Elemental

Randall's Island
Friday, August 9, 2024
Pack a picnic and take your family out for a screening of Elemental (PG) under the stars. Arrive early for games and crafts. READ MORE
Enjoys a night with rides, food, and a film at Coney Island's Flicks on the Beach. Photo by Alexander Thompson/NYCGo
Enjoys a night with rides, food, and a film at Coney Island's Flicks on the Beach. Photo by Alexander Thompson/NYCGo

Free Outdoor Movies in Brooklyn in Summer 2024

Movies Under the Stars: Brooklyn

Multiple Brooklyn Locations
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Nothing says summer in NYC quite like watching a movie outdoors just after sunset. NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Brooklyn parks all summer long. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in McCarren Park

Greenpoint
Fridays from June 7-June 28, 2024
Movies glow on the big outdoor screen for Paramount+/Brooklyn Magazine's free summer screenings on selected Fridays in McCarren Park. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Prospect Park

Prospect Park
Wednesdays from June 26-July 17, 2024
Snuggle up under the stars for an evening of nostalgic classic cinema and feel-good fan favorites for all ages on Wednesdays in Prospect Park. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Movies With a View in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Dumbo
Thursdays from July 11-August 29, 2024
Brooklyn Bridge Park brings back Movies with a View for its 24th season. Bring a blanket and a picnic. Sweet treats, savory snacks, and drinks, including beer and wine, are available for purchase. READ MORE

Paramount+ Movie Nights in Fort Greene Park

Fort Greene
Thursdays from August 15-September 5, 2024
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn offers nostalgic classics and feel-good fan favorites for all ages. Showtimes are at sunset; bring a blanket and a picnic. READ MORE

Free Summer 2024 Outdoor Movies in Queens

Movies Under the Stars: Queens

Multiple Queens Locations
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Queens parks all summer long. Bring a blanket and a picnic READ MORE

Movies on the Green

Rego Park
Select Wednesdays from July 5-August 21, 2024
Catch some of your all-time favorites on Wednesdays at the Center Green. Bring the family, a blanket or chair, and enjoy. Movies start at dusk, but come early to enjoy periodical entertainment.  READ MORE

Free Outdoor Movies in Staten Island in Summer 2024

Movies Under the Stars: Staten Island

Multiple Staten Island Locations
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Catch a classic or a recently released kid-flick at one of NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars screenings, lighting the night sky in Staten Island parks all summer long. READ MORE

Free Summer 2024 Outdoor Movies in the Bronx

Movies Under the Stars: The Bronx

Multiple Bronx Locations
Click through for current films, dates, and locations
Pack a picnic and head to a local park to watch a favorite kid-friendly flick as the sun goes down. NYC Parks' Movies Under the Stars brings classic and animated kid-friendly films to Bronx parks all summer long. READ MORE

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