Categories: Summer

Outdoor movies this summer in Washington, DC

Bring your blankets or chairs (check websites for what they prefer), some snacks and cozy up to a summer movie outside. Disclaimer: This is a list of child friendly and adult friendly movies. As you will see some of these don’t begin until sunset so perhaps it’s a late summer evening for some kids or a date night for parents. Have fun watching some free movies this summer.

 

Bethesda Outdoor Movies
(Woodmont Triangle, Corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues)

Enjoy five nights of blockbuster hits at downtown Bethesda’s 14th annual outdoor movie series! Show times begin at 9pm at the corner of Norfolk and Auburn Avenues. A limited number of chairs will be provided and attendees are invited to bring their own lawn chairs. Admission is FREE! Spend an enjoyable evening in Woodmont Triangle and have dinner at one of the neighborhood’s delicious and diverse restaurants before the show!

July 24: Remember the Titans
July 25: Casablanca
July 26: The Big Sick
July 27: Mean Girls
July 28: The Post

Union Market Drive-In
(1309 5th Street NE  Washington, District of Columbia 20002)

$10 parking fee per car. Advance purchase is highly recommended. Free for walk-ups. Excited for the drive-in but don’t have a car?

Friday June 1 | Clueless
A rich high school student tries to boost a new pupil’s popularity, but reckons without affairs of the heart getting in the way. 1h 37 min, rated PG-13
Lot opens at 6:00, Lot closes promptly at 8:30, Film begins 8:45; Film ends at 10:20

Friday July 6 | Like Water for Chocolate
When tradition prevents her from marrying the man she loves, a young woman discovers she has a unique talent for cooking. In Spanish with English subtitles. 1 h 45min, rated R
Lot opens at 6:00, Lot closes promptly at 8:30, Film begins 8:55; Film ends at 10:20

Friday August 3 | Black Panther
T’Challa, the King of Wakanda, rises to the throne in the isolated, technologically advanced African nation, but his claim is challenged by a vengeful outsider who was a childhood victim of T’Challa’s father’s mistake.
2h 15 min, rated PG-13
Lot opens 6:00, Lot closes promptly at 8:15, Film begins 8:45, Film ends at 11:00 

Friday September 7 | The Lion King
A Lion cub crown prince is tricked by a treacherous uncle into thinking he caused his father’s death and flees into exile in despair, only to learn in adulthood his identity and his responsibilities. 1h 28 min, rated G
Lot opens 6:00, Lot closes promptly at 7:30, Film begins 8:00, Film ends at 9:30 

Friday October 5 | Cool Runnings
When a Jamaican sprinter is disqualified from the Olympic Games, he enlists the help of a dishonored coach to start the first Jamaican Bobsled Team. 1h 38 min, rated PG
Lot opens 5:30, Lot closes promptly at 7:45, Film begins 8:15, Film ends at 9:55 

Friday November 2 | Hocus Pocus 
After three centuries, three witch sisters are resurrected in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night, and it is up to two teenagers, a young girl, and an immortal cat to put an end to their reign of terror once and for all. 1 h 36 min, rated PG
Lot opens 5:30, Lot closes promptly at 7:45, Film begins 8:00, Film ends at 9:50 

NoMa Family Film Night

(The Lot @ 1st & Pierce 1005 First Street, NE)

Bring your friends, family and neighbors for music, giveaways, food trucks, picnicking, and of course, great films under the stars. Movies start at sunset and are screened with subtitles. We encourage moviegoers to bring chairs, because the site is covered in asphalt. Bring blankets, frisbees, dogs on leases and picnic coolers when the doors open at 7:00 PM. Every movie is subtitled. NoMa Summer Screen has been ranked one of the Top 10 Best Outdoor Movie Theatres in America by Travel and Leisure Magazine and one of the top five outdoor movie series in the country by Travel Pulse.

6/6 — 10 Things I Hate About You (PG-13) | 8:40 p.m.
6/13 — Mulan (G) | 8:44 p.m.
6/20 — Chicago (PG-13) | 8:46 p.m.
6/27 — Mad Max: Fury Road (R) | 8:47 p.m.
7/4 — no movie on account of Independence Day!
7/11 — Matilda (PG) | 8:44 p.m.
7/18 — A League of Their Own (PG) | 8:40 p.m.
7/25 — Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13) | 8:35 p.m.
8/1 — Pitch Perfect (PG-13) | 8:29 p.m.
8/8 — Moana (PG) | 8:21 p.m.
8/15 — Thelma & Louise (R) | 8:12 p.m.
8/22 — Ghostbusters (2016) (PG-13) | 8:03 p.m.
8/29 — Wonder Woman (PG-13) | 7:52 p.m.
9/5 — rain date | 7:42 p.m.

Adam’s Morgan Movie Nights
(Walter Pierce Park is located at 2630 Adams Mill Rd. with an alternate entrance adjacent to Mama Ayesha’s near the foot of the Duke Ellington Bridge on Calvert Street)

Movies begin approximately 30 minutes after sunset. Kids are welcome, but please no pets or alcohol. Please check the Movie Nights Facebook Page for cancellation information in the event of bad weather. Important: No glass bottles, no alcohol, no smoking, and no pets.

May 22- The Big Lebowski
May 29- Hairspray
June 5- Jackie
June 12- Hidden Figures
June 19- Pixar Shorts 

Four Mile Summer Movie Festival at Four Mile Conservatory Building
(4109 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305)

Bring your friends, family and neighbors for games, giveaways, popcorn, picnicking, and of course, great films under the stars. Movies start at dusk and are screened with Spanish subtitles. We encourage moviegoers to bring chairs, because this year’s location will be on asphalt. Bring blankets, outdoor games, and picnic coolers when the fun starts at 6:30 pm.

Friday, May 25 – Coco 
Friday, June 29 – Mary Poppins
Friday, July 27 – Wonder
Friday, August 31 – Space Jam

Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
(165 Waterfront St National Harbor, MD 20745)

Nothing says summer like an evening under the stars—and there’s no better way to enjoy the season than Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor. Pack your picnic blankets, grab food to go from one of our delicious dining establishments, and meet us at the Plaza’s big screen for a FREE evening of fun for all ages! Please note that movies will begin at 6:00pm and will be shown once, so end times may vary with each movie. A schedule of movies to be shown can be viewed below. They also feature Date Night Movies on Thursdays at 7:00pm.

05.20 Cars 3
05.27 The Lego Batman Movie
06.03 Matilda
06.10 Bolt (National Harbor 10 Year Anniversary Commemorative Giveaway for the first 100 people!)
06.17 Zookeeper
06.24 Charlotte’s Web (2006)
07.01 Enchanted
07.08 The Little Rascals
07.15 Alice Through the Looking Glass
07.22 Holes
07.29 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
08.05 Maleficent
08.12 The Little Mermaid
08.19 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe
08.26 Annie (2014)
09.02 A Wrinkle in Time
09.09 The Wizard of Oz
09.16 The Wiz (1978)
09.23 Moana
09.30 The Lion King

Cinema Del Ray 
(Mount Vernon Rec Center: 2017 Belle View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307) 

The fun begins at 7:00pm. Free open air movie showings sponsored by Jen Walker. Snacks are even available for purchase, bring blankets and cozy up. (No 4 legged friends)

May 19- The Lion Kind
June 16- The Lego Batman Movie
July 21- Toy Story 3
Aug 18- Cars 3
Sept 15-CoCo

Canal Park
(Canal Park, at 2nd and M St., SE- Navy Yard Metro)

See the stars beneath our stars! The Capitol Riverfront Outdoor Movie Series returns to Canal Park this year from June through August. Each movie in this year’s lineup, selected and inspired by public demand, will begin at sundown. We invite movie-goers to arrive at Canal Park as early as 7:00 pm, bring a picnic, and enjoy the show! Please note that all movies are captioned.

Sunset Cinema
(Cherry Hill Park: 312 Park Ave. Falls Church, VA 22046)
Moviegoers are encouraged to bring blankets and picnics. Drinks, popcorn and snacks will be available for purchase.

TBA

Allison

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  • Thanks for finally writing about >Outdoor movies this
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