Categories: Notes

Outdoor summer movies in and around Washington, DC

DRIVE-IN MOVIE- Photo by everett225

The Drive-In at Union Market – Washington, DC
Roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the radio because the 10th annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. A DC “must-do,” the series of six movies will launch the second Friday of every month through October 14. Movie audio will be transmitted through an FM transmitter on the radio. As always, all movies are shown with open captioning. Each movie showing costs $20 per car. “Sold Out” means that all 170 parking spaces have been reserved.

  • July 8: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • Aug. 12: Dirty Dancing
  • Sept. 9: Encanto
  • Oct. 14: Black Panther

Starlight Cinema – Fairfax, VA
Welcome to another exciting season of Starlight Drive-in Cinema. These movie nights bring the community together and nurture community spirit with features that appeal to both children and adults. The 2022 season provides four movies, free for the public to enjoy. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal so feel free to bring a picnic, blanket and chairs, and enjoy the movies.

  • Aug 6: Luca
  • Aug 13: Encanto
  • Aug 20: Rocknoceros
  • Aug 27: The Mitchells vs The Machines

DC Party Box – Bethesda, MD
This drive-in theatre offers two showings on Thursday and Friday as well as daytime and evening showings on Saturday and Sunday. They feature a family friendly showing early and a more mature showing later. The theatre follows CDC required social distancing and currently guests have to remain in their vehicle and no more than 50 cars are admitted in.

Movies in the Park – Montgomery County, MD
Get outside this summer and get into Rockville’s free outdoor movies in the parks on the big screen. Bring chairs, blankets, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and enjoy four different movies at four different neighborhood parks throughout the city. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.) and are free.  

Bengie’s Drive-In – Middle River, MD
The BIGGEST movie theatre screen in the USA! Bengie’s offers TriPPPle features almost every Friday and Saturday night, DouBBle features on Sunday night with non-stop projection. The show always begins with the National Anthem. In between movies, they play intermission clips, classic cartoons, and vintage trailers. On Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, they have Dusk till Dawn, All Nite Shows!

Summer Movies on the Lawn
The Library of Congress will host its fifth annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” outdoor film festival this summer, starting July 7. The series of movies from the Library’s National Film Registry will be presented Thursday evenings at sundown on the southeast lawn of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. Film screenings will include open captions. Music will be presented prior to each film, with live performances on July 7, July 21 and Aug. 4. 

  • July 7: “Top Gun” (1986) (2015 National Film Registry)
  • July 14: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” (1971) (2014 National Film Registry)
  • July 21: “Rocky” (2006 National Film Registry)
  • July 28: “Mary Poppins” (2013 National Film Registry)
  • Aug. 4: “Wall-E” (2021 National Film Registry)

The series is a feature of the new Library after hours experience, Live at the Library. From 5 – 8 p.m. on Thursday evenings, visitors are invited to enjoy happy hour drinks and snacks available for purchase in the Great Hall overlooking the Capitol and the Thomas Jefferson Building’s beautiful architecture while immersing themselves in the Library’s exhibits, collections and programs. Free timed-entry passes for entrance to the Thomas Jefferson Building are required and can be reserved here.

Summer Night Series – Cabin John, MD
Starting June 10, “Movies Under the Stars” will screen every second Friday on the plaza. Film lovers can watch their favorite flicks on the outdoor screen while sitting picnic-style in Cabin John Village’s plaza. Live music and kids’ activities available from 6:30 pm. Free and open to the public

  • July 8: Sunset-Sister Act, movie starts at 8:30 pm
  • Aug. 12: Encanto, movie starts at 8:00 pm
  • Sept. 9: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, movie starts at 7:30 pm

Family Drive-In – Stephens City, VA
This is a two screen, 65 year old classic, 484 car drive-in theatre. They offer movie sound via the traditional speakers or via stereo sound (through your car radio). There is a concession stand that offers theatre snacks or full meals. The space has a playground and is pet friendly.

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf – Washington, DC
Get your family and friends together this summer to watch a movie on the big screen. Join on Thursdays along the waterfront for Sunset Cinema at The Wharf—outdoor movies on the Transit Pier big screen, presented by Pacifico Beer. Each movie begins at 7:30pm. No reservations or tickets are needed—just show up, grab a seat, and enjoy a free movie outdoors. Seats are available on a first come, first serve basis. We’ll have drinks and snacks available at the Cantina Bambina concession window and you can bring in food (but not drinks) from any Wharf restaurant.

  • June 23: Best in Show
  • June 30: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
  • July 14: A League of Their Own
  • July 21: Girls Trip
  • July 28: Top Gun
  • Aug. 11: Spider Man: No Way Home
  • Aug. 18: Crazy Rich Asians
  • Aug. 25: Summer of Soul

Bethesda Outdoor Movies – Bethesda, MD
Enjoy three nights of blockbuster hits at downtown Bethesda’s 18th annual outdoor movie series!  Show times begin at 9pm at the corner of Norfolk & Auburn Avenues. A limited number of chairs will be provided – please bring your 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 28: Dirty Dancing
  • July 29: Mama Mia!
  • July 30: Knives Out

Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet on the Plaza’s big screen for a *FREE* evening of fun for all ages!

Movie Night in the Park at the UDC Amphitheater – Van Ness, DC
The park will be open one hour before showtime to select your seats and enjoy food and drinks before (or during!) the show. Seating is limited and will be based on capacity limits provided by UDC. When you RSVP to the event, you will receive a reminder 2 days prior to the event and you’ll receive notification if the event is postponed due to weather. Tickets for all showings will be released approx 3 weeks prior to showtime.

  • July 13: Remember the Titans
  • July 20: Space Jam: A New Legacy
  • Sept. 23: Encanto

The DowntownDC Summer Flicks – Franklin Park, DC
CAN I KICK IT? movie series returns for its fifth season, and this year, the DowntownDC BID and Shaolin Jazz are bringing the outdoor cinematic experience to its new home: Franklin Park! This free event series begins June 7 and will run every Tuesday evening through July 26. Join for action-packed films, live DJs, treats from Whole Foods Market, and more. Seating starts at 7:30 PM, when you can enjoy music by Shaolin Jazz’s own DJ 2-Tone Jones and other special guests. Movies start at sunset.

  • June 21: Passenger 57 
  • June 28: Spider-Man: No Way Home 
  • July 5: House of the Flying Daggers 
  • July 12: The Warriors 
  • July 19: Black Widow 
  • July 26: Rush Hour

Mosaic – Strawberry Park, VA
Films in the Park are every Thursday evening at 7 PM through August 25 for the perfect date night under the stars. Film lovers can watch their favorite flicks on the larger-than-life outdoor screen while sitting picnic-style in Strawberry Park. All movies are shown rain or shine unless otherwise noted.

  • June 23: In & Out
  • June 30: The Birdcage
  • July 7: Clifford The Big Red Dog
  • July 14: In The Heights
  • July 21: Dating & New York
  • July 28: Dog
  • Aug. 4: Spider-Man: No Way Home
  • Aug. 11: Encanto
  • Aug. 18:  Under the Stadium Lights
  • Aug. 25: F9 | The Fast & Furious Saga


Adam’s Morgan Movie Nights – Adams Morgan, DC
Voted as one of the best outdoor movie series in DC by readers of the Washington City Paper, Adams Morgan Movie Nights is a can’t-miss event!This year’s series focuses on “The Road Less Traveled,” showcasing movies that find our heroes on a quest of one sort or another. Series runs from May-June.

  • June 28: Queen of the Capital [RESCHEDULED from 6/7]

Movies on the Potomac at National Harbor
Pack your chairs, grab food to go from one of the delicious dining establishments, and meet on the Plaza’s big screen for a *FREE* evening of fun for all ages! Family Movie Nights: Sundays at 6pm | Date Night Movies: Thursdays at 7pm

  • June 26: The Great Outdoors
  • July 3: Lady & The Tramp
  • July 10: Ratatouille
  • July 17: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  • July 24: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
  • July 31: James & the Giant Peach
  • Aug. 7: Newsies
  • Aug. 14: Nanny McPhee
  • Aug. 21: Annie (2014)
  • Aug. 28 :The Jungle Book ( 1967)
  • Sept. 4: An American Tail
  • Sept. 11: Miracle
  • Sept. 18: American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
  • Sept. 22: A League of their Own
  • Sept. 29: Minari
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