100+ Free Outdoor Family Movies This August in NYC

Pack a blanket for Summer in the Square movie nights. Photo by Liz Ligon
Pack a blanket for Summer in the Square movie nights. Photo by Liz Ligon
7/26/18 - By Drew Kristofik

In August, FREE outdoor movies can be found almost every night in New York City. Not all are family-friendly, though, so we've rounded up those that are. Behold: More than 100 FREE outdoor movies this August, most rated G, PG, or PG-13, organized by date. All you need to do is carve out time in your busy NYC summer schedule and pack a blanket and snacks.

Click through to our listings for details, including addresses and times. Arrive early to stake out a good spot—plus, some outdoor film series also include pre-screening fun, like kids' activities and music. In case of rain, movies may be canceled, so before heading out check the series' official websites for weather-related updates. 

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Coco is showing at Riverside Park, Randall's Island, and Coney Island this month. Photo courtesy of Disney Pixar

Wednesday, August 1

Gifted (PG-13) at DeWitt Clinton Park Midtown West
Coco (PG) at Pier 1, Riverside Park — Upper West Side
West Side Story (G) in Long Meadow North — Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Hackers (PG-13) in McCarren Park — Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Black Panther (PG-13) at the Unisphere — Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

Thursday, August 2

Justice League (PG-13) at Highbridge Park — Washington Heights
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (PG-13) at Union Square Park Union Square
Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13) In Brooklyn Bridge Park — DUMBO, Brooklyn

RELATED: The Best Children's Theater in NYC this Summer


Paddington 2 screens at Hudson River Park. Photo courtesy of HeyDay Films

Friday, August 3

The Jackie Robinson Story (PG-13) at Jackie Robinson Park — Sugar Hill
Paddington 2 (PG) at Pier 46, Hudson River Park — West Village
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (PG-13) in Transmitter Park — Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Justice League (PG-13) In Crocheron Park — Bayside, Queens
Black Panther (PG-13) on Firefighter's Field — Roosevelt Island

Saturday, August 4

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (PG-13) at The Peninsula — Inwood Hill Park
Coco
(PG) at the Paul Raimonda Playground – Ditmars Steinway, Queens
Love & Basketball (PG) at Habana Outpost — Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Black Panther
(PG-13) at Midland Field -- New Dorp, Staten Island
Paddington (PG) at Seaside Wildlife Nature Park -- Eltingville, Staten Island
Coco (PG) on Field 81 — Randall's Island

RELATED: 100 Free Things to Do this Summer in NYC


E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial will fly over Astoria Park's Great Lawn. Photo courtesy of Universal

Sunday, August 5

Escape to Witch Mountain (G) on Rockaway Beach – The Rockaways, Queens
Coco
(PG) at Field 81 -- Randall's Island

Monday, August 6

The Wiz (G) at Bryant Park – Midtown West
Coco
(PG) on the Coney Island Boardwalk – Coney Island, Brooklyn
Beauty and the Beast
(2017) (PG) at the George Seuffert Bandshell – Forest Park, Queens
Black Panther
(PG-13) in Cunningham Park – Fresh Meadows, Queens
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
(PG) on Astoria Park's Great Lawn — Astoria, Queens

Tuesday, August 7

The Boxtrolls (PG) At Raoul Wallenberg Playground Washington Heights
Hairspray
(PG) at Valentino Pier — Red Hook, Brooklyn
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
(PG-13) at Baisley Pond Park -- South Jamaica, Queens
Coco
(PG) on the roof of the Bronx Terminal Market — Concourse Village, the Bronx
Spider-Man: Homecoming
(PG-13) at Paradise on Earth – Foxhurst, the Bronx
Black Panther (PG-13) at Owen Dolen Rec Center – Westchester Square, the Bronx
The Mummy 2017
(PG-13) in Wolfe's Pond Park Prince's Bay, Staten Island

Wednesday, August 8

Night at the Museum (PG) at Carl Schurz Park — Upper East Side
Wonder Woman
(PG-13) in Bellevue South Park -- Gramercy
Wonder Woman (PG-13) at Hudson River, Pier 63 — Chelsea
Summer Wars (PG) at Pier 1, Riverside Park — Upper West Side
Space Jam (PG) in Long Meadow North — Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Fantastic Mr Fox (PG) in McCarren Park – Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Dr. Strangelove (PG) at 50 Kent Pop-Up Park -- Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Spirit of the Beehive (NR) in the Socrates Sculpture Park – Long Island City, Queens
The LEGO Batman Movie
(PG) in Vidalia Park – West Farms, the Bronx
The King and I
(G) at the Greenbelt Recreation Center – New Springville, Staten Island

Thursday, August 9

Isle of Dogs (PG-13) at Matthew Sapolin Playground — Upper West Side
Mean Girls (PG-13) at Oculus Plaza — Financial District
Hairspray (PG) at Union Square Park — Union Square
Wayne's World (PG-13) in Brooklyn Bridge Park — DUMBO, Brooklyn
Black Panther
(PG-13) in Commodore Barry Park – Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn
Wonder Woman
(PG-13) in MacNeil Park – College Point, Queens
Wonder
(PG) at the West Bronx Rec Center – Mt Eden, the Bronx
Back to the Future, Part 2
(PG) in Conference House Park -- Tottenville, Staten Island

Friday, August 10

Peter Rabbit (PG) at Twenty Four Sycamores Park — Midtown East
Ghostbusters (1984) (PG-13) on board the Intrepid — Midtown West
Spice World (PG) at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park — West Village
My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG) at the Narrows Botanical Garden — Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
The Greatest Showman
(PG) in McGolrick Park – Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Black Panther (PG-13) at Transmitter Park — Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Black Panther (PG-13) at Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk — Far Rockaway, Queens
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
(PG-13) in Pelham Bay Park – Baychester, the Bronx
The Incredibles
(PG) in Westerleigh Park -- Westerleigh, Staten Island
Dunkirk
(PG-13) at Franklin D Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach -- South Beach, Staten Island
Ghostbusters (1984) (PG) on the Parade Grounds — Governor's Island

Saturday, August 11

Elf (PG) at Oculus Plaza — Financial District
Coco
(PG) on Rockaway Beach at Beach 94th St – Rockaway Beach, Queens
The Greatest Showman
(PG) in Soundview Park – Soundview, the Bronx
Ready Player One
(PG-13) in CPL Thompson Park – Edwin Markham Gardens, Staten Island

Sunday, August 12

Grease (PG) at Habana Outpost — Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Mulan 2
(G) at Homecrest Playground -- Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn
Night at the Museum
(PG) in Kelly Park – Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn

Monday, August 13

Labyrinth (PG) at Waterside Plaza — Gramercy/East River
Casablanca (PG) on Astoria Park's Great Lawn — Astoria Park, Queens
Wonder
(PG) at the Lower Highland Playground – Highland Park, Cypress Hills, Queens
Coco
(PG) at the Amphitheater in Playground 52 LII -- Woodstock, the Bronx

RELATED: NYC Summer Fun Guide for Kids: Fairs, Festivals, Beaches, Pools and More


The Lion King will be shown under the stars in Queens. Photo courtesy of Disney

Tuesday, August 14

Gremlins (PG) at Henry M Jackson Playground — Lower East Side
Hair (PG) at Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street — Central Park
The Lion King (G) in Alley Pond Park — Oakland Gardens, Queens

Wednesday, August 15

Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature (PG) at James Weldon Johnson Playground — East Harlem
WALL-E (G) at Pier 1, Riverside Park — Upper West Side
Crooklyn (PG-13) at Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street — Central Park
The Greatest Showman (PG) on the Rooftop at Pier 17 – South St Seaport
Black Panther
(PG-13) in the Osborn Playground – Brownsville, Brooklyn
Tampopo (NR) in the Socrates Sculpture Park – Long Island City, Queens
The Incredibles
(PG) in Juniper Valley Park – Middle Village, Queens
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
(PG-13) in Barretto Point Park -- Hunts Point, the Bronx

Thursday, August 16

Fantastic Mr Fox (PG) at Samuel Seabury Playground — Upper East Side
Dr. Strangelove (PG) at Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street — Central Park
Love & Basketball (PG-13) in Brooklyn Bridge Park — DUMBO, Brooklyn
The Goonies (PG) at Beach 108th St Roller Rink – The Rockaways, Queens
A Dog's Purpose
(PG) at Frank Frisch Field -- Mosholu Parkway, the Bronx
Little Giants
(PG) in Father Macris Park – Graniteville, Staten Island

Friday, August 17

Selma (PG-13) at Hansborough Recreation Center — Harlem
Karate Kid (1984) (PG) at Pier 46, Hudson River Park — West Village
A Wrinkle in Time (PG) at Jacob Schiff Playground — Upper West Side
The Producers (1968) (PG) at Morris-Jumel Mansion — Washington Heights
The Muppets Take Manhattan (G) at Sheep Meadow and 72nd Street — Central Park
Black Panther
(PG-13) in Hancock Playground – Bed Stuy, Brooklyn
Ferdinand
(PG) at the Playground for All Children – Flushing Meadows, Queens
Black Panther
(PG-13) in Ferry Point Park -- Throgs Neck, the Bronx
The Lion King (G) in von Briesen Park – Shore Acres, Staten Island
Avengers: Infinity War
(PG-13) in Bloomingdale Park – Woodrow, Staten Island
A Wrinkle in Time (PG) on Firefighter Field — Roosevelt Island

Saturday, August 18

Wonder Woman (PG-13) at Marx Brothers Playground Upper East Side
Despicable Me 3
(PG) in Marc and Jason's Playground -- Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Black Panther
(PG-13) at the Roy Wilkins Rec Center -- St Albans, Queens
Rampage
(PG-13) at the Willowbrook Park Archery Range -- Bulls Head, Staten Island
The Emoji Movie
(PG) in De Matti Playground -- Rosebank, Staten Island

Sunday, August 19

Dirty Dancing (PG) at Habana Outpost — Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) on Field 81 — Randall's Island

Monday, August 20

The Wizard of Oz (PG) at Waterside Plaza — Gramercy/East River
Black Panther
(PG-13) on the Coney Island Boardwalk – Coney Island, Brooklyn
Black Panther (PG-13) on Astoria Park's Great Lawn — Astoria, Queens
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
(PG-13) at the George Seuffert Bandshell – Forest Park, Queens
RV
(PG) at the Main Park House in Cunningham Park – Fresh Meadows, Queens

Tuesday, August 21

The BFG (PG) at Col Charles Young Playground — Harlem
Singin' in the Rain
(G) in Seward Park – Lower East Side
Coco (PG) at Valentino Pier — Red Hook, Brooklyn
Paddington 2
(PG) at Lost Battalion Hall Rec Center -- Rego Park, Queens
Dr. Doolittle
(PG-13) at Paradise on Earth -- Foxhurst, the Bronx
Pitch Perfect 3
(PG-13) in Lemon Creek Park – Prince's Bay, Staten Island

Wednesday, August 22

Thor: Ragnarok (PG-13) at Booker T Washington Playground — Upper West Side
Up (PG) at Pier 1, Riverside Park – Upper West Side
Alice in Wonderland
(G) in Prospect Park – Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
This Is Spinal Tap (R) in McCarren Park — Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Black Panther
(PG-13) at the Harry Maze Playground – East Flatbush, Brooklyn
Kedi
(NR) in the Socrates Sculpture Park – Long Island City, Queens
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
(PG-13) at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park – Flushing, Queens
His Girl Friday
(NR) at the Greenbelt Recreation Center – New Springville, Staten Island

Thursday, August 23

Frozen (PG) Sing-Along at Clinton Cove — Midtown West
Despicable Me 3
(PG) at the Alfred E Smith Rec Center -- Lower East Side
Pick of the Litter (NR) in Fort Greene Park Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Wonder Woman (PG-13) in Brooklyn Bridge Park — DUMBO, Brooklyn
Coco
(PG) at the Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum – Flatbush, Brooklyn
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
(PG) in Hunters Point South Park — Long Island City, Queens
The Goonies
(PG) at the Clove Lakes Parkhouse – Sunnyside, Staten Island

Friday, August 24

Spider-Man: Homecoming (PG-13) At Carmansville Playground — Sugar Hill
Coco (PG) at Pier 46 in Hudson River Park — West Village
The Day the Earth Stood Still
(1951) (G) at the Narrows Botanical Gardens — Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Despicable Me 3
(PG) in Crocheron Park — Bayside, Queens
Tomb Raider
(PG-13) in Seaside Wildlife Nature Park – Eltingville, Staten Island
Paddington 2
(PG) in Westerleigh Park – Westerleigh, Staten Island

Saturday, August 25

A Ballerina's Tale (NR) at Martin Luther King Jr Playground — Harlem
A Wrinkle in Time
(PG) in St. Nicholas Park – Harlem
Community Choice
on board the Intrepid — Midtown West
Descendants 2
(NR) in Great Kills Park – Bay Terrace, Staten Island

Sunday, August 26

The Lion King (G) in Kelly Park – Bed Stuy, Brooklyn
The Princess Bride
(PG) at Beach 94th St Plaza -- Rockaway Beach, Queens

Monday, August 27

From Up on Poppy Hill (PG) at Waterside Plaza — Gramercy/East River
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul
(PG) at Thomas Greene Playground -- Gowanus, Brooklyn
Coco
(PG) at the Lower Highland Playground – Highland Park, Queens
Coco
(PG) in Cunningham Park – Fresh Meadows, Queens

Tuesday, August 28

Toy Story (G) at Waterside Plaza — Gramercy/East River
Isle of Dogs
(PG) at Sol Lain Playground — Lower East Side
Dr. Strangelove
(PG) at Valentino Pier — Red Hook, Brooklyn
The LEGO Ninjago Movie
(PG) in Paerdegat Park – East Flatbush, Brooklyn
Black Panther
(PG-13) in Wayanda Park – Queens Village, Queens

Wednesday, August 29

Minions (PG) on the Rooftop at Pier 17 – South St Seaport
Audience Choice
in McCarren Park — Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Despicable Me 3
(PG) in Col David Marcus Playground – Midwood, Brooklyn
Coco
(PG) in Grover Cleveland Park – Ridgewood, Queens
Bringing up Baby
(G) at the Greenbelt Rec Center – New Springville, Staten Island

Thursday, August 30

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) at Jackie Robinson Park — Sugar Hill
Audience Choice
in Brooklyn Bridge Park — DUMBO, Brooklyn
Avengers: Infinity War
(PG-13) in Parkside Playground – Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Brooklyn
The Wizard of Oz
(G) on Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach – South Beach, Staten Island
 


Sherlock Gnomes plays at Inwood Hill Park. Photo courtesy of Paramount

Friday, August 31

Black Panther (PG-13) at Hansborough Recreation Center — Harlem
Sherlock Gnomes
(PG) at J Hood Wright Park — Washington Heights
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows
(PG-13) in Maria Hernandez Park – Bushwick, Brooklyn
The LEGO Batman Movie
(PG) in Tudor Park – Ozone Park, Queens
Coco
(PG) at the Williamsbridge Oval -- the Bronx
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
(PG-13) in Bloomingdale Park – Rossville, Staten Island
Yogi Bear
(PG) in Faber Park – Port Richmond, Staten Island

A version of this story was published in 2017; it is updated yearly.