Lights! Camera! DC Outdoor Movie Guide

Where to watch movies under the stars across the city

This article will be updated as additional screenings are announced.

As temperatures continue to warm up, alfresco movie screenings are starting to pop up in neighborhoods across DC. They're a favorite with locals and a great way to experience a different side of the District. We're not focused on politics all the time, you know!

Whether you're looking for date night options, recent blockbusters or family favorites, there's an outdoor film series at a drive-in or at a park that's sure to fit the bill. Even better, most screenings are free! So mark your calendar for these upcoming outdoor flicks, and get your popcorn, blankets, favorite snacks, and bug spray (trust us on this) ready before showtime!

📣 Reservations and tickets are not required unless specified, Movies may be canceled because of weather or other reasons, so always check websites or social media before heading out.

Movies on the Potomac. Kick back at National Harbor and enjoy free movies on the big outdoor screen in front of the Potomac. This month's theme is animals with different titles for date night (Thursdays) and family night (Sundays). Feature titles include Sing 2, Babe, Jaws and Lion King. June is travel movie month, followed by food movies in July, musicals in August and America-themed movies in September. 🆓 Now- September 30

Curious Tip: Choose from 40+ restaurants for dinner or to-go picnic options, and make movie night an adventure by going for a spin in the Capital Wheel 

Cineomatic Wednesdays.  Enjoy nostalgia night in NoMA with throwback movies under the stars at Alethia Tanner Park's outdoor movie series. Titles include Mrs. Doubtfire, Cool Runnings, The Sandlot and Space Jam. 🆓 ​May 11 - June 8 (Wednesdays)

Curious Tip: Get there early to grab a spot, enjoy a bite to eat from a local food truck, and more. 
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Union Market Drive-in. Roll down the windows, feel that summer breeze and turn up the radio because the 10th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back.  For those on foot, pack your chairs and blankets and set up shop in front of Union Market for great views and picnic-style entertainment. The series of six movies includes titles like Space Jam, In the Heights, Ferris Beuller's Day Off, Encanto and Black Panther. 💲🎟 May 13 - Oct 14 (second Friday of every month)

Curious Tip: Have dinner before the movie or get it to go from one of the 40 restaurants in the food hall and surrounding area.

Films on the Green DC . Bonjour! Films on the Green is a free outdoor summer film festival produced by the Cultural Services at the French Embassy in partnership with the National Gallery of Art. From Parisian avenues to the vineyards of southern France, this French movie series offers a selection of nine classic and contemporary French and Francophone films in public parks across the city. Bring your own chair or blanket. Registration strongly recommended. 🆓 🎟​May 18 - July 13

Admo night at the  movies. Head to the Marie Reed soccer field for the return of Adams Morgan Movie Nights! The theme of this year's series is "The Road Less Traveled," featuring characters who are on a quest or journey of sorts. Titles include: The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Encanto. Arrive early to snag free cookies from Insomnia Cookies (first come, first served) and free free freshly-popped popcorn from Gifted Curators. 🆓​ May 24 - June 21 (Tuesdays)

Curious Tip: Check out the movie-night dinner deals from neighborhood restaurants and arrive early to enjoy the free movie treats!

Movies on the memorial. Hang out with the Lone Sailor at the Navy Memorial for their summertime outdoor movie series. Titles include Top Gun, Crimson Tide, Men on Honor and Anchors Aweigh. 🆓 ​Starts May 26 - September 1 (Thursdays)

Beach Bar & Dive-In Movies. Nothing beats watching the sunset on the water, right? View movies on the Transit Pier's big screen at the Wharf during the Beach Bar & Dive-In Movies series. Reserve tickets, which can include seats for up to six, and can enjoy drinks and bites from Wharf restaurants. Details and featured titles coming soon. Starts June 2

Curious Tip: Tickets go fast so grab them while you can when they're released! There's a lot to do in the area so make it a real night out; stroll along the boardwalk, play bocce at Waterfront Park, check out the swings on the pier and grab food from one of the many eateries in the area.

Golden Cinema.  DC's Golden Triangle BID hosts GLDN + CINEMA, a free outdoor movie series in Farragut Square. The first Cinema series will run through June 23, and a second series will run on Thursday evenings from September 8 – 29, 2022. More details and the movie line-up are coming soon. 🆓​ Starts June 2 (Thursdays)

Curious Tip: Bring your blanket or low chair and arrive early to get the best seating! And check out BID promotions to take advantage of cinema deals from area restaurants.

Cinematery. Blast off for galactic adventures on the big screen amid headstones at Congressional Cemetery. (Think that’s disrespectful? Victorians picnicked in cemeteries to keep the memory of loved ones alive.) Recommended donation is $10. Upcoming flicks: ET, Galaxy Quest, The Hitckhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Spaceballs 💲🎟 June 3 - September 3 (First Friday of each month)

Downtown DC Summer Flicks: Can I Kick It? Back for its eighth year, Downtown DC BID's DowntownDC Summer Flicks – Can I Kick It?  combines action films and live DJs spinning hip-hop, jazz, and more, Moving to its new home in Franklin Park, the eight-movie series will be showing popular titles on Tuesday nights including Passenger 57, The Fast Saga, Black Widow,  Spider-Man: No Way Home and Rush Hour . Treat bags will be offered to attendees at every screening while supplies last. 🆓June 7 - July 26

Movies on the Lawn. The Parks at the old Walter Reed hospital hosts a four-film outdoor series on the Great Lawn. Bring your blanket and snacks and enjoy Hidden Figures, Goonies, Respect and Encanto. 🆓 July 23 - October 2 (monthly)

Georgetown Sunset Cinema. Kick back and enjoy movies on a giant screen surrounded by historic landmarks and against the backdrop of the Potomac River at the Georgetown Sunset Cinema series.  All movies include closed captioning. Stay tuned for the 2022 lineup. 🆓 Starts August 7 - September 27 (weekly)

Curious Tip: Arrive early to get seats with the best views of the big screen and the Potomac River.  And grab something to eat at a nearby food truck or restaurant (many of which have Sunset Cinema specials).

Millennium Stage Films. Enjoy FREE film screening outdoors  Thursdays on the REACH Video Wall. Titles range from classics to today and cultural documentaries. Films start at dusk and no tickets or registration required. 🆓Thursdays, weekly
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Curious Tip: Pair your screening with food from Victura Park, the indoor/outdoor beer and wine garden at the REACH

Films at the Stone. Films at the Stone is the only summer film series at a memorial on the National Mall. Screened at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial it showcases stories of individuals who, against all odds, fought for what was right and whose lives inspire viewers to live the values of democracy , justice, hope, and love. Titles include Fatherhood, El Canto and Just Mercy. 🆓 Now - August (monthly)

Movies on the Pitch. Movies on the Pitch transforms Audi Field into an outdoor cinema with four showings of current blockbuster films on the stadium’s jumbotron screen. Summer flicks include A Quiet Place 2, In the Heights  and Spider-Man: No Way Home. Tickets are general admission both on the pitch and in the stands. Access to the pitch is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. Concessions available. 🆓 Now - September (monthly)

Library of Congress 5th Annual Summer Movies on the Lawn. The Library of Congress hosts its fifth annual “Summer Movies on the Lawn” outdoor film festival this summer.  The series of movies from the Library’s National Film Registry will be presented 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. Titles include Top Gun, Wall-E, Rocky and Mary Poppins. 🆓 Now - August 4 (weekly)

Movie Night in the Park. Van Ness Main Street and the University of the District of Columbia are joining forces this summer to host “Movie Night in the Park @ UDC Amphitheater". Our theme for the summer series is perseverance, and movies will be a family-friendly rating of G, PG, or PG13. Movie night reservations are required via Eventbrite but attendance is free. Titles include: Jurassic Park, Mamma Mia, Hidden Figures and Black Panther. Now - August 14

Curious Tip: Bring a picnic - dinner, drinks, or snacks from one of the local neighborhood eateries to enjoy before or during the film. Uptown Market has amazing flatbreads and frozen sangrias (soo good!) and a loaded picnic basket for four complete with a bottle of wine.

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