The best free outdoor movie screenings for kids in NYC

The Wizard of Oz

As we all know, movie prices have gotten out of hand. As if $12.50 weren’t bad enough, the folks over at Disney have decided to charge $16.50 for the privilege of seeing Up in 3-D. (And don’t even get us started on the price of popcorn!) Happily, there are a bunch of series throughout the city that invite folks to catch complimentary flicks under the stars. All you need to bring is a blanket, some popcorn and possibly an extended curfew. Be sure to check the series’ official sites for rain dates and schedule changes.

Manhattan

RiverFlicks for Kids
In addition to the fine roster of films, all rated G or PG, enjoy a majestic view of the Hudson River and free popcorn. (See? You didn’t even have to bring your own!) hudsonriverpark.org. Films begin at dusk, at approximately 8:30pm. Pier 46, West St at Charles St. Subway: 1 to Christopher St–Sheridan Sq.
Fri Jul 10 – The Wizard of Oz
Fri Jul 17 – Kung Fu Panda
Fri Jul 24 – Ghostbusters
Fri Jul 31 – Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Fri Aug 7 – The Muppet Movie
Fri Aug 14 – Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Fri Aug 21 – Curious George

Roosevelt Island’s Summer Movie Series
The folks on this narrow isle used good old democracy to program their series. People were invited to pick their favorite movie (out of five possibilities) in each of the following categories: comedy, animation, drama and music. Although you missed your chance to weigh in, you can still catch the winners! rioc.com. Movies start at 8:45pm. Firefighters Field on Roosevelt Island. Subway: F to Roosevelt Island.
Sun Jul 19 – 50 First Dates
Mon Jul 27 – Kung Fu Panda
Sat Aug 8 – Forest Gump
Mon Aug 17 – Hairspray

Central Park Movies
Prep yourself for a cacophony of high-pitched squeals: The tween sensation Twilight screens at this weeklong series. The rest of the films aren’t appropriate for kids, but perhaps you’re up for a date night? Sex and the City and Ocean’s 11 are on the schedule. For a complete list of films, visit centralparknyc.org. Gates open at 6pm; movie starts at 8pm. Rumsey Playfield, enter park from Fifth Avenue at 69th St. Subway: 6 to 68th St–Hunter College.
Fri Aug 21 – Twilight

River to River: Movie Nights on the Elevated Acre
Don’t want to shell out top dollar to take your brood to the Broadway revival of West Side Story? Take them to see the classic movie for free instead. There are other offerings in this series, but they’re not particular kid-friendly…although some of us were brought up on The Taking of Pelham One Two Three on Channel 5 on weekend afternoons in the ’70s, and we turned out okay. For a complete schedule, visit rivertorivernyc.com. Movies start at 8pm. The Elevated Acre, 55 Water St between Broad St and Old Slip. Subway: 1 to South Ferry; R, W to Whitehall St; 2, 3 to Wall St.
Mon Jul 13 – The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974 version)
Mon Jul 20 – West Side Story

Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
The mother of them all, this series is a must-do-at-least-once for all New Yorkers. It’s insanely crowded, though, and while the films are top-notch, they’re not kiddie fare. We’ve highlighted a few, best for tweens. For a complete schedule, visit bryantpark.org. Sixth Ave at 40th St. Subway: B, D, F, V to 42nd St–Bryant Park; 7 to Fifth Ave.
Mon Jul 6 - Dog Day Afternoon
Mon Jul 13 - How Green Was My Valley
Mon Jul 20 - Harold and Maude
Mon Aug 17 - Close Encounters of the Third Kind

RCN Monday Night Movies
Waterside Plaza hosts a Monday night movie series in August that includes free popcorn and drinks. This year's theme: New York movies. How appropriate! Movies begin at approximately 8:30pm. East River between 25th and 29th Sts (watersideplaza.com). Subway: N, R, 6 to 23rd St.
Mon Aug 3 – Men in Black
Mon Aug 10 – Big
Mon Aug 17 – Breakfast at Tiffany's
Mon Aug 24 – Ghostbusters

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum’s Summer Movie Series
We bet you’ve never seen a movie on a flight deck before. Well, here’s your chance! The museum is showing a series of new classics perfect for the tween set. Technically, the Bank of America-sponsored July 31 screening of Night at the Museum 2 is its own event, and includes free popcorn (while supplies last) and an appearance by Hall of Fame Pitcher Tom Seaver. But it's at the same place and time. Doors open at 7:30pm, movie starts at 8:30pm. Intrepid's Flight Deck (intrepidmuseum.org). Travel: A, C, E to 42nd St–Port Authority; then take the M42 bus to Hudson River.
Fri Jul 17 – Jaws
Fri Jul 31 – Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Fri Aug 21 – Apollo 13

Brooklyn

SummerStarz
The swanky new condos, The Edge, which tower over the waterfront of Williamsburg, will host (along with community volunteer organization Town Square) evenings of entertainment, music and film on Thursdays in July and August. Tote the tots to the little known East River State Park, where you'll find sweeping views of Manhattan’s east side. Arrive early for kid-centric festivities like an arts and crafts sesh with the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and an exploration of dance and song with the non-profit opera company CenterStage. Hang around and be serenaded by tunes, then kick back and watch a movie with your brood beneath the stars. Children’s activities start at 6pm, film begins at 8pm. East River State Park, Kent Ave at North 8th St (townsquareinc.com). Subway: L to Bedford Ave.

Thu Jul 16
6pm – Arts & crafts by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
7pm – New York’s Finest Jazz Ensemble
8pm – Babe

Thu Jul 23
6pm – Games and arts & crafts by Town Square
7pm – Co-Creative Music (children’s rock)
8pm – Nim’s Island

Thu July 30
6pm – Children’s theatre by RockCity Theatrics
7pm – Fenix Down (rock)
8pm – The Incredibles

Thu Aug 6
6pm – Song and movement by CenterStage
7pm – CenterStage (opera)
8pm – Bend It Like Beckham

Thu Aug 13
6pm – Arts & crafts by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
7pm – Grand Street Community Band (classical)
8pm – Fly Away Home

Thu Aug 20
6pm – Arts & crafts by the Greenpoint Toy Center
7pm – Kyle Morgan & the Backroad (rock)
8pm – WALL-E

Movies with a View
Brooklyn Radio DJs set the mood by spinning tunes as the sun sets. Eclectic films are then screened on Thursdays in a park adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge. This series isn’t aimed specifically at kids, so we’ve listed the most family-friendly offerings. For a complete schedule, visit brooklynbridgepark.org. Music begins at 6pm; movies start around 8pm. Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park. Subway: A, C to High St; 2, 3 to Clark St; F to York St.
Thu Jul 16 – The Maltese Falcon
Thu Jul 30 – To Catch a Thief
Thu Aug 6 – The Return of the Pink Panther
Thu Aug 27 – Edward Scissorhands

Habana Outpost Brooklyn's Outdoor Movie Series
Every Sunday, the Brooklyn eco-eatery is hosting alfresco “New York–themed” films. We can’t figure out what’s New York about Star Wars, but we’re not going to argue. This series isn’t aimed specifically at kids, so we’ve listed the most family-friendly offerings. For a complete schedule, visit cafehabana.com. Films begin at 8pm. 757 Fulton St at S. Portland Ave, Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Subway: C to Lafayette Ave, G to Fulton St.
Sun, Aug 2 – Beat Street
Sun Aug 9 – Star Wars
Sun Oct 4 – Flash Gordon
Sun Oct 18 – Batman

Brooklyn Film Works: Downturns and Destiny
Park Slope’s Old Stone House sponsors this Thursday film series, and while none of these films are aimed at kids, what’s the harm in introducing grade-schoolers to classics such as Yankee Doodle Dandy? theoldstonehouse.org. Movies begin at 8:30pm. Washington Park, Fifth Ave between 3rd and 4th Sts, Park Slope, Brooklyn. Subway: F, R to Fourth Ave; R to Union St.
Thu Jul 2 – Yankee Doodle Dandy
Thu Jul 9 – Dr. Strangelove
Thu Jul 16 – What a Way to Go
Thu Jul 23 – Films from the Piper Theater Film Workshop
Thu Jul 30 – Sullivan's Travels

Narrows Botanical Gardens Free Summer Cinema Series
On Thursday, July 23, catch the new classic Toy Story on the garden’s Great Lawn. For a full schedule of films, visit narrowsbg.org. Movie begins at 8:30pm. Shore Rd between Bay Ridge Ave and 72nd St, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Travel: R to Bay Ridge Ave, then transfer to the B1 bus to Shore Rd.
Thu Jul 23 – Toy Story

Bronx

Outdoor Movie Screening at Pelham Bay Park
On Saturday, July 11, phone home with a screening of E.T. on the lawn outside a historic home in the beautiful Bronx park. bartowpellmansionmuseum.org. Movie begins at 8pm. Registration requested. Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, 895 Shore Rd at Pelham Bay Park, Bronx, Travel: 6 to Pelham Bay Park, then transfer to Westchester Bee-Line #45 bus to Pelham Rd (limited weekend service; check schedule at beelinebus.westchestergov.com).
Sat Jul 11 – ET the Extra-Terrestrial

Hoboken

Movies Under the Stars in Hoboken
Okay, so technically you’ll have to leave the city for this Wednesday series. The glorious view of the Manhattan skyline—not to mention the movies—make it worth the trek. Warning: Some of the flicks (Dark Knight and Iron Man, we’re looking at you!) may be inappropriate for younger children. nj.com/hobokennow. Films begin at dusk. Pier A Park. Travel: PATH to Hoboken.
Wed Jul 8 – Get Smart
Wed Jul 15 – Mamma Mia! (sing-along version)
Wed Jul 22 – The Dark Knight
Wed Jul 29 – Ironman
Wed Aug 5 – Kung Fu Panda
Wed Aug 12 – Horton Hears a Who
Wed Aug 19 – Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Wed Aug 26 – Coraline in 3-D (free 3-D glasses to the first 1,000 people)

Additional series screening films for grown-ups:

RiverFlicks for Grown-ups in Manhattan

Films on the Green in Manhattan

Summer Screen at McCarren Park Ballfields in Brooklyn

Celebrate Brooklyn

Outdoor Cinema 2009 at the Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens

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