The Best Places to Watch Movies Outdoors This Summer

Location: Hollywood Forever Cemetery (Los Angeles)

Dates: May–September

Admission fee: $14

Go into work Monday morning with a story to tell, and what better story is there than about the one of how you spent Saturday night watching Sunset Boulevard right by Cecil B. DeMille’s grave? It comes with the territory at Cinespia, which hosts its annual summer movie festival at the famed Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where, alongside Mr. DeMille, pop culture legends like Mickey Rooney and Bugsy Siegel are also buried.

Viewers are invited to bring their own picnic baskets and choice bottle of wine or beer, while enjoying every kind of classic movie imaginable, from Close Encounters of the Third Kind to There’s Something About Mary.

Location: Various (New York City)

Dates: May–August

Admission: Varies

An alternative version to HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Fest, Rooftop Films’ Summer Series is an annual summer film festival held all over New York. The location is set according to the theme of the new independent movie that’s being screened. In the past, it has showed David Lowery’s quiet modern western Ain’t Them Bodies Saints (starring Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck) at Queens County Farm, and screened Jenny Slate’s Brooklyn-set Obvious Child at Sunset Park. 

While this year’s lineup has yet to be revealed, there are a couple of things that you can count on: At each screening, a live band usually opens the show and the directors and/or talent are almost always present for a Q&A.

Location: Various (San Francisco; Marin, Calif.)

Dates: May–September

Admission: Donation

Open to everyone—from families to groups of teenagers looking for an alternative to hanging out at the mall—Film Night in the Park plays everything from cult classics to new favorites in the crisp Bay Area evening air. In the past, screening locations have ranged from Dolores Park to Fairfax’s Contrati Ball Field, where viewers are encouraged to bring snacks, blankets, and small lounge chairs.

This year’s line-up, which plays on Fridays and Saturdays, includes Big Hero 6, Pitch Perfect, The NeverEnding Story, and Raiders of the Lost Ark, among a handful of others. Don’t expect Boogie Nights here. They don't play anything that will scar your little brother.

Location: Various (Minneapolis)

Dates: June–August

Admission: Free

Approximately 15 minutes after sunset this summer, Monday through Saturday, the curtains rise. Forget going home after work. Instead, meet up with friends and family at one of Minneapolis’ parks to enjoy a free flick over a picnic. This year’s themes are action heroes, family fun, movies with meaning, new releases, the favs, and Minnesota connection, which, no, doesn’t also double as a speed dating night. Whatever Minnesota’s Parks and Rec board has in store, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

Location: Millenium Park (Chicago)

Dates: June–August

Admission: Free

Impress your Tuesday Tinder date by suggesting a night under the stars, watching a movie in the heart of Chicago. Films, which, in the past, have included Top Gun, Ghostbusters, and American Graffiti, are projected with an LED system and boosted by a state-of-the-art sound system from the Jay Pritzker Pavillion. No need to worry about any obstruction—picture and sound will be as vivid as the romantic memories you’ll definitely make that night.

Location: Republic Square Park (Austin, Texas)

Dates: April–June

Admission: Free

Film buffs know that there’s no better team-up in Texas than the Austin Parks Foundation and the Alamo Drafthouse. Right in downtown Austin, familiar to cinephiles who enjoy the SXSW Film Festival each year, the duo are inviting viewers out on Thursdays and Fridays these next few weeks to relive films like Jurassic Park and The Little Mermaid. Unlike plenty of other outdoor film series, you don’t have to hire a dog-sitter for a couple hours. Your BFF can have fun alongside you.

Location: Center of the Universe, Fremont (Seattle)

Dates: July–September

Admission: $5-$10

On July 11, head to the Center of the Universe for a rager that you won’t forget. Contrary to how that sounds, it’s not an end-of-the-world extravaganza—sorry ‘bout that—it’s the official kick-off day for Fremont Outdoor Movies. The line-up has yet to be announced, but cosplayers should start getting psyched. In addition to door prizes and trivia, the series encourages attendees of all ages to go in costume. 

However, if you’re not trying to hang out with crying babies and your teen sister and her totally awesome BFFs, Fremont Outdoor Cinema also holds a 21-and-over Movie Mischief series that kicks off Saturday, July 25. Need more convincing? On August 22, Fremont will be hosting its annual Big Lebowski party. You, the dudes, and The Dude enjoying a Saturday night with some beers? Don’t consider doing anything else.

Location: Pioneer Courthouse Square (Portland, Ore.)

Dates: July–August

Admission: Free

Think of Pioneer Courthouse Square as a giant living room with a couple hundred of your closest friends, just coming together for a Friday night flick. At least, that’s the vibe you get when you lay a beanbag down at Flicks on the Bricks. The park is lined with food vendors for when you forget to bring your own popcorn, and live music entertains the restless folks who can’t wait for the lights to dim. In the past, movies have included Jurassic Park and The Princess Bride, so you know that you won’t be disappointed with whatever they’re cooking up this year.

Location: NoMa (Washington, D.C.)

Dates: May–August

Admission: Free

NoMa Summer Screen’s theme this year is ‘Dance, Dance, Dance,’ so you know that it’s going down. For 13 straight Wednesdays, musical movies (which, depending on the votes, could range from Singing in the Rain to Magic Mike) will be blasted on the big screen in the middle of D.C.’s fastest growing neighborhood. There will be tunes. There will be food. There will be viewers whose dancing will give you secondhand embarrassment. But hey, it’s all in the name of good fun. Don’t get all Footloose about it, and just join the party.

Location: Penn’s Landing (Philadelphia)

Dates: July–August

Admission: Free

Here’s an excuse to get a little closer with the person that you’ve been dating for a couple weeks. You’ll need a cuddle buddy to check out a Screening Under the Stars, which occurs right by the banks of the Delaware River every Thursday at dusk. From blockbusters to classics, the movies shown at Penn’s Landing have ranged from The Hunger Games to Jaws, all of which have been supported by themed activities prior to the film. But remember, the events are family-friendly so keep it PG.