Few things connect families and communities like the magic of movies. This summer, your family can experience all of the joy, excitement and laughter of the cinema while sitting comfortably under the stars. From pop-up outdoor theaters to classic drive-ins straight out of the 1950s, read on for the ultimate guide to outdoor movies in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Enjoy the Kennedy Center’s free film screenings outdoors on the REACH Video Wall every Friday. Films start at sundown or around 8:30 p.m.
-
-
- June 7th: Dreamgirls (PG-13)
- June 14th: 10,000 Dreams: A Festival of Asian Choreography
- June 21st: Elemental (PG)
- June 28th: Ratatouille (G)
- July 5th: In the Heights (PG-13)
- July 12th: The Peanut Butter Falcon (PG-13)
- July 19th: A River Runs Through It (PG)
- July 26th: School of Rock (PG-13)
- August 2nd: Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax (PG)
- August 9th: Rear Window (PG)
- August 16th: Free Solo (PG-13)
- August 23rd: Lincoln (PG-13)
- August 30th: Chocolat (PG-13)
-
Location: Reach Lawn, 2700 F St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037
Price: Free – visit the event website to register for each film.
Let’s roll down the windows, feel that warm breeze and turn up the radio, because the 12th Annual Drive-In at Union Market is back. Movies play on the second Friday of every month all the way until October 4th!
-
-
- June 14th: Mamma Mia! (PG-13)
- July 12th: Ratatouille (G)
- August 9th: Hook (PG)
- September 13th: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (PG-13)
- October 4th: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
-
Location: Union Market, 1309 5th St. NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Price: Each movie showing costs $20 per car.
An inspiring summer film series located at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. The Films at the Stone series screens 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. Films start at 8 p.m. Come early, pack a sack and bring blankets or low-profile lawn chairs.
-
-
- Friday, June 21st: Elemental (PG)
- Friday, July 19th: Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG)
- Friday, August 16th: The Little Mermaid (PG)
-
Location: Lawn adjacent to the bookstore at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington D.C. 1964 Independence Avenue SW.
Price: Free.
Adams Morgan Movie Nights is a can’t-miss series. This year’s sports-themed movie lineup is in the spirit of the upcoming Paris Summer Olympics.
-
-
- Tuesday, June 4th: Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13)
- Tuesday, June 11th: Battle of the Sexes [Pride Night] (PG-13)
- Tuesday, June 18th: Race [Juneteenth] (PG-13)
- Tuesday, June 25th: Space Jam [Family Night] (PG)
-
Location: Marie Reed School soccer field, 2201 18th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009
Price: Free.
-
-
-
Bring your own chair and blanket to NoMa’s free outdoor movie series at Alethia Tanner Park. Enjoy dinner from a local DC food truck, sit back and enjoy the show.
-
-
-
-
- Wednesday, June 5th: The Goonies (PG)
- Wednesday, June 12th: The Lost City (PG-13)
-
-
-
Location: Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, Washington, D.C. 20002
Price: Free.On Thursdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, visit Transit Pier at The Wharf to enjoy the following free outdoor movies.
-
-
-
-
- June 6th: Love & Basketball (PG-13)
- June 13th: Mean Girls (2004) (PG-13)
- June 20th: Captain Phillips (PG-13)
- June 27th: 50 First Dates (PG-13)
- July 11th: Angels in the Outfield (PG)
- July 18th: Dreamgirls (PG-13)
- July 25th: King Richard (PG-13)
- August 1st: Top Gun: Maverick (PG-13)
- August 8th: Boys in the Boat (PG-13)
- August 15th: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (PG-13)
- August 22nd: Wonka (PG)
- August 29th: SOUL (PG)
-
-
-
Location: 970 Wharf St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024
Price: Free.MARYLAND
Get outside this summer and get into Rockville’s free outdoor movies in the parks on the big screen. Enjoy four different movies at four different neighborhood parks throughout the city. Movies begin at dusk (approximately 8 p.m.) Bring your own chairs, blankets, food and nonalcoholic beverages.
-
-
-
-
- Wednesday, July 31st: The Emperor’s New Groove (G) (Fallsgrove Park)
- Wednesday, August 7th: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG) (Montrose Park)
- Wednesday, August 14th: Encanto (PG) (Calvin Park)
- Wednesday, August 21st: Matilda (Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park)
-
-
-
Location: Various locations above.
Price: Free.National Harbor hosts film nights for families on Sundays and classy date nights under the stars on Thursdays. Bring your own chairs or blankets and pick up food from one of the dining establishments nearby.
Sunday Family-Friendly Nights:
-
-
-
-
- June 2nd: Bee Movie (PG)
- June 9th: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG)
- June 16th: Elemental (PG)
- June 23rd: The Little Mermaid (2023) (PG)
- June 30th: Trolls Band Together (PG)
- July 7th: Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie (PG)
- July 14th: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (G)
- July 21st: Wonka (PG)
- July 28th: The Rookie (G)
- August 4th: Soul Surfer (PG)
- August 11th: I Am Bolt (PG)
- August 18th: Migration (PG)
- August 25th: Finding Nemo (G)
- September 1st: The Parent Trap (1998) (PG)
- September 8th: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Mutant Mayhem (PG)
- September 15th: Dora and the Lost City of Gold (PG)
- September 22nd: A Million Miles Away (PG)
- September 29th: Inside Out 2 (PG)
-
-
-
Thursday Date Nights:
-
-
-
-
- June 6th: Mean Girls (2024) (PG-13)
- June 13th: The Fabelmans (PG-13)
- June 20th: Gran Turismo (PG-13)
- June 27th: Americanish (PG-13)
- July 4th: A League of Their Own (PG)
- July 11th: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. (PG-13)
- July 18th: Arthur the King (PG-13)
- July 25th: Elvis (PG-13)
- August 1st: The Boys in the Boat (PG-13)
- August 8th: Race (PG-13)
- August 15th: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (PG)
- August 22nd: Love & Basketball (PG-13)
- August 29th: The Peanut Butter Falcon (PG-13)
- September 5th: Now You See Me (PG-13)
- September 12th: Top Gun (PG)
- September 19th: Top Gun: Maverick (PG-13)
- September 26th: My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 (PG-13)
-
-
-
Location: The Plaza, 165 Waterfront St., National Harbor, Md. 20745
Price: Free. -
-
-
