Free Summer Movies in New York 2026 | The COMPLETE Summer Guide
Every year during the summer there are free movies in the many parks of the city; from Brooklyn to Queens and Manhattan, you have several places to choose from. You can find out everything you need to know about free movie performances here!
My tip: also check out Free Concerts in the Parks!
What are the Free Summer Movies?
First and foremost, movie screenings are my favorite summer event! The free movie screenings have a long tradition and now span all the boroughs of the city. You can enjoy summer movie screenings both in Brooklyn Bridge Park, overlooking the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline, in Bryant Park, and on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid.
One of the most famous and, for me, most beautiful places to see movies is definitely Bryant Park. And the best part? They’re free! If you’re in New York City at this time of year, catching a free screening is a MUST DO (or rather, MUST SEE)!
When do the Free Summer Movies take place?
You can enjoy the free movies from Memorial Day weekend in late May through September. Be sure to plan one of these events into your itinerary, it’s worth it!
Where do the Free Summer Movies take place in New York?
You can choose from several parks and locations. I really liked Brooklyn Bridge Park with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline as well as the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid where you can enjoy the summer at the movies.
These are the locations in 2026:
-
01
Movie Nights at Bryant Park
Other Attraction in Midtown Manhattan
One of the best things to do in summer in New York is visit the free Bryant Park Movie Nights. In the heart of Manhattan, people gather in the summer months with blankets and chairs they’ve brought themselves to relax at the outdoor movie theater and concerts by the New York Philharmonics. Bryant Park is just under a 5-minute walk from Times Square, surrounded by tall trees, so it’s a bit secluded from the rest, but you’re still in the middle of it all: Awesome!
The lawn opens at 5 pm and all the movies start at 8 pm. You should arrive early for a good spot.
Schedule:
- Different movies from July till September (check here)
-
02
Movies With a View - Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 1 Harbor View Lawn
Other Events in Brooklyn HeightsOur Highlight
This year marks the 26th year of the Movie With A View and is part of the Free Summer Movies that take place throughout New York. It’s a free event organized by the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy. Food and drinks will be provided by the Time Out Market, doors open at 6 pm.
Schedule:
- Different movies from July till September (check here)
-
03
Intrepid Summer Movie Nights
Museum in Hell's Kitchen
The Intrepid Sea Air & Space Museum is the only floating museum in NYC. You will find a wide array of historically significant military and maritime vehicles as well as a collection of museum ships on this aircraft carrier which is docked on the Hudson River. This is great for kids and adults alike as it discusses and shows a wide variety of artifacts regarding the US military and maritime history.
You can watch movies on the deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid for free. This year this event celebrates its 42nd anniversary – and it is one of the most popular locations. So get here early! Doors open at 5 pm.
Schedule:
- May 22: Top Gun
- June 26: Independence Day
- July 31: National Treasure
- August 28: An American Tale: Fievel Goes West
For more on Summer Movie Nights at the Intrepid Museum, click here.
-
04
Free Summer Movies Governors Island
Other Events in Governors Island
Also on our favorite island Governors Island, you can experience the Free Summer Movies this year. From June to September, you can watch free movies. The schedule for 2026 is yet to be announced.
-
05
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn
Other Events in Prospect Heights
Paramount+ Movie Nights in Brooklyn will show movies at three different Brooklyn parks throughout the summer beginning in late June. The first four films will be shown at McCarren Park beginning in June. That will be followed by four films at Prospect Park on Long Meadow, and then there will be four films at McCarren Park. There are classics from the ’90s as well as current hit movies to see. Best of all, the movies are FREE!
-
06
Rooftop Cinema Club Midtown: Not free, but amazing!
Other Art & Culture in Midtown ManhattanOur Highlight
We love the Free Summer Movies, which are available at different places in New York. They are an absolute MUST DO in the summer, so you should definitely plan the Free Summer Movies for yourself. But you can also go one floor higher: with the cinema events on the roofs of hotels or bars. The Rooftop Film Club on top of the Skylawn Embassy Suites shows films in lofty heights on several days during the summer and although the tickets are not free you shouldn’t miss this event!
Check out the official Rooftop Cinema Club website for more information.
-
07
Tribeca Film Festival
Other Attraction in Tribeca
In 2002, Robert De Niro and producer Jane Rosenthal created the Tribeca Film Festival to bring life back to the neighborhood near Ground Zero. New York City suffered greatly from the attacks of September 11, 2001, and Di Niro’s intention in creating the festival was to help New Yorkers out of this deep-seated depression and give them a reason to celebrate again.
The Tribeca Film Festival has grown over the years, and now all the big names from the film industry show up each spring. There are many associated events like short film presentations, film premiers, and various awards. Check out the Tribeca Film Festival website for the full schedule.
-
08
Pier 1 Picture Show (Summer on the Hudson)
Other Events in Upper West Side
Summer on the Hudson is Riverside Park & West Harlem Piers Park’s annual outdoor arts and culture festival. Between 59th and 153rd Streets on the Hudson River, you can experience live DJs, exhibits, special shows for kids, and of course, outdoor movies. And the best part? All the events are free!
In July and August the Pier 1 Picture Show hosts seven movies at Pier 1 (70th St) – check line-up here
Picture: Christian Reimer – many thanks for this!!!
You will also love this
