Where to Catch Outdoor Movies in Philly All Summer Long

Grab a blanket and catch a flick outside with your family!

June 29, 2021

Now that summer’s here, we look forward to lots of outdoor time, and that includes summer nights outside on a blanket under the stars! Outdoor movie nights are such fun ways to get together as a family, and as a community. While they have not returned at the same level as pre-pandemic times, we are thrilled to see these creeping back into our calendars (and events posts). So pack a picnic and a giant blanket, because we’re here to help you make the most of your summer nights!

Note that not all movies are exactly kid-friendly, so be sure to check our lists and plan accordingly. Most of these events are free– we have indicated where paid tickets are required. Check back, as new dates are constantly being added as neighborhoods and venues are firming up their plans.

Wawa Welcome America: Philly @ The Movies

Catch free movies around town for Independence Week! Here are our picks for kid-friendly screenings:

June 20, 8 pm:Rocky at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
June 23, 8 pm: Pitch Perfect at Capitolo Playground, 900 Federal St.
June 24, 8 pm:How to Train Your Dragon at Hank Gathers Rec Center, 2501 W. Diamond St. (Come at 7 pm for free art-making activities)
June 29, 9 pm:Shrek drive-in movie at the Navy Yard (Pre-registration required)
June 30, 8 pm: Hidden Figures at Cherashore Playground, 851 W. Olney Ave.

Sunset Social

July 7 and 21; August 4 and 18; September 1, 15, and 29

129 S. 30th St.

Ride the elevator to the top of the city, and gather on Cira Green for movie night with a view. Lawn games begin at 5 pm, and movies begin at 6 pm. Food and drink are available on site. Bonus: Come Saturday afternoons for cartoons on the big screen!

July 7: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
July 21: The Nutty Professor
August 4: The Lion King
August 18: Jurassic World
September 1: The Wiz
September 15: Mission: Impossible- Fallout
September 29: Captain Marvel

First Friday Movies Under the Stars and Stripes

First Friday of the month, from June—October
Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St.

Enjoy $7 admission, a tour of the Betsy Ross House, and a movie in the courtyard. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, and bring food and a bottle of wine to watch the movie! The movies are all vintage sci-fi horror B-movies, so maybe leave very small kids at home (but older kids will probably get a kick out of the kitsch). Movies start after sundown, so as it gets to be fall they begin earlier in the night. Check the website for showtimes.

June 4: Attack of the Crab Monsters
July 2: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians
August 6: Alligator People
September 3: Evil Brain from Outer Space
October 1: Plan 9 From Outer Space

Schuylkill Banks

Thursdays at 8 pm
Walnut Street Bridge or Wharton Street, depending on the date

Not all the selections are exactly kid-favorites, but there’s plenty to love, like Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Paddington 2, and The Princess Bride. Some screenings take place on the east (South Philly) side of the Schuylkill by Wharton Street, while others will be under the Walnut Street Bridge. See their schedule for details.

July 8: Lady Bird
July 15: Barbershop
July 22: Paddington 2
July 29: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
August 5: Spy
August 12: The Princess Bride
August 19: Knives Out

Laurel Hill’s Cinema in the Cemetery

July 17, August 14, and August 28, at sundown (see times listed below)

3822 Ridge Avenue

Laurel Hill Cemetery is showing spooky stories on its historic grounds. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids, and free for kids age 5 and under. Gates open one hour before showtime.

July 17, 8:30 pm: Little Shop of Horrors
August 14, 8 pm: WALL-E
August 28, 8 pm: The Phantom of the Opera (1929) with live musical accompaniment from Not-So-Silent Cinema

Movies in the Park

Thanks to grants from Fairmount Park Conservancy, neighborhood parks around the city will be transformed into outdoor movie theaters on summer nights. Movies are BYOB (Bring Your Own Blanket) and begin at dusk. In case of rain, movies will be rescheduled by one week. See below for the park-by-park schedule:

July 19: The Croods: The New Age (Triangle Park)
July 21: Raya and the Last Dragon (Lanier Park)
July 23: The Princess and the Frog (Fisher Park)
August 5: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Upper Roxborough Reservoir)
August 12: Raya and the Last Dragon (Fotteral Square)
August 15: Raya and the Last Dragon (Inn Yard Park)
August 18: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Mifflin Square Park)
August 25: How to Train Your Dragon (Palmer Park)
August 26: A League of Their Own (Matthias Baldwin Park)
September 3: Dolittle (Cliveden Park)
September 11: Soul (Fairview Park)
September 17: Raya and the Last Dragon (Powers Park)
September 18: Peter Rabbit 2 (Tip Top Playground)
September 24: Monsters Inc. (Benson Playground)
September 24: Soul (Woodside Park)
September 24: Soul (Overington Park)
October 8: The Secret Life of Pets (Northwood Park)

Dilworth Park

Thursdays from July 22-August 26, 8:30 pm

1 S. 15th St.

Outdoor movie nights on the big screen return to Dilworth Park this summer during Pictures in the Park! Showtime begins at 8:30 pm, and virtual movie trivia will be offered at 8:15 pm. Bring your own blankets and chairs. Movie theater snacks will be available for purchase at the Air Grille, including freshly popped popcorn, candy boxes, and soft drinks.

July 22: Wonder Woman
July 29: The Lion King (Live Action)
August 5: Jumanji: The Next Level
August 12: Black Panther
August 19: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
August 26: Jurassic Park

Movies @ The Mann

July 24 and August 18; 8 pm
Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 5201 Parkside Ave.

The “Movies @ The Mann” series is truly a unique entry in this list, because it pairs an outdoor movie experience with a live orchestra performance. While you watch the film, the orchestra performs the score! Bring a picnic and the whole family! Note that these are not free, but they are worth it! Ticket purchase site is linked for each title.

July 24: Toy Story
August 18: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
September 25: Black Panther

Movies in Clark Park

Fridays from August 6–27, sundown
4300-4398 Baltimore Ave.

The park will transform into an outdoor amphitheater to showcase a great lineup of films projected on a giant screen. Audiences are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair, and to make advance reservations for each screening. Reservation links will be provided one week before the film, and a limited number of walk-up spaces will also be reserved.

August 6: Black Panther
August 13: A League of Their Own
August 20: The Iron Giant
August 27: Concrete Cowboy