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. 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.

 

Sunset Social

Various dates, 7 pm

129 S. 30th Street

 

Ride the elevator to the top of the city, and gather on Cira Green for movie night with a view. Movies begin at 7 pm and dogs are always welcome! Food and drink are available on site. Bonus: Come Saturday afternoons for cartoons on the big screen!

 

• July 12 – The Batman
• July 19 – 007: Casino Royale
• July 26 – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• August 2 – Fast and Furious: Fast X
• August 9 – Spiderman: No Way Home
• August 16 – Back to the Future
• August 23 – Encanto
• August 30 – Space Jam: A New Legacy
• September 6 – Thor: Love and Thunder
• September 13 – Top Gun Maverick

First Friday Movies Under the Stars and Stripes

First Friday of the month, from June—October

Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street

 

Enjoy $8 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.

 

• August 4 – Attack of the Giant Leeches (1959)
• September 1 – War of the Satellites (1958)
• October 6 – Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Schuylkill Banks

Thursdays at sunset (8-8:30 pm depending on season)

Walnut Street Bridge or Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade, depending on the date

 

Not all the selections are exactly kid-favorites, but there’s plenty to love, like “Zootopia” and “Toy Story.” 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 13 – Father Goose
• July 20 – Zootopia
• July 17 – Toy Story
• August 3 – Almost Famous
• August 10 – Blast from the Past
• August 17 – Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
• August 24 – Bringing Up Baby

 

Laurel Hill’s Outdoor Cinema Series

Various dates, 8:30 pm

3822 Ridge Avenue

 

Laurel Hill Cemetery is showing spooky stories on its historic grounds in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society. Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors and students, $10 for members, $7.50 for youth, and $2 for ACCESS Cardholders.

• July 21 – Jaws
• August 18 – Witches of Eastwick (Witches’ Market at 6:30 pm)

 

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. Schedules are subject to change. 

• July 15 – Mummies (Cliveden Park)
• July 20 – Cruella (Inn Yard Park)
• July 21 – Goonies (Historic Rittenhouse Town)
• July 22 – Shazam! Fury of the Gods (Lanier Park)
• July 26 – Encanto (Hagert Playground)
• July 28 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (Dickinson Square)
• July 28 – Encanto (Fisher Park)
• August 9 – Back to the Future (Matthias Baldwin Park)
• August 16 – Puss in Boots (Rainbow de Colores Park)
• August 17 – Encanto (Williams Moore Reed Memorial Park)
• August 18 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (Mifflin Square Park)
• August 19 – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Hart Park)
• August 19 – Clifford the Big Red Dog (Hissey Playground)
• August 23 – Dungeons & Dragons (Palmer Park)
• August 24 – The Lorax (Pop’s Park)
• August 25 – Luca (Fernhill Park)
• August 26 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (McMichael Park)
• September 8 – The Croods: A New Age (Shot Tower Park)
• September 9 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (Powers Park)
• September 15 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (Columbus Square)
• September 16 – Back to the Future (Penn Treaty Park)
• September 21 – Dungeons & Dragons (Coxe Park)
• September 22 – The Woman King (Benson Park)
• September 23 – Shazam! (Northwood Park)
• September 29 – TBD (Fairview Park)
• September 30 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (Campbell Square Park)
• October 20 – The Super Mario Bros Movie (The Spring Gardens)

Movies on the Block

 

A program sponsored by Philadelphia Film Society and planned in partnership with local community groups and organizations, Movies on the Block is a free program designed to create spaces for meaningful and accessible activities while showing a fun movie! Each event features a screening of a great film paired with interactive activities, performances, educational demonstrations, and more. Check their website for details and exact locations.

 

• July 14 – Black Panther – Wakanda Forever (Chester)
• July 22 – Luca (West Kensington)
• August 4 – The Lorax (West Philly)

Movies @ The Mann

July 22 and September 14
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 22 – Jurassic Park with The Philadelphia Orchestra
• September – Rocky with Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

Movie Nights at The Oval

Select Fridays, 8:30 pm

Eakins Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

 

Eakins Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art has tons of fun activities happening all summer, including outdoor movie nights. On select Friday nights, grab a spot on the Oval lawn under the stars for free screenings of fan favorites. Seating is not provided, so be sure to bring your own chair or blanket.

 

• July 14 – The Super Mario Bros Movie
• July 28 – Jungle Cruise
• August 11 – Encanto
• August 18 – Grease

Moonlight Movie

July 28, 7:30 pm

Lovett Park, 6945 Germantown Avenue

 

Mt. Airy CDC and their collaborators ROOT Ritual Dance Movement and Outlaw Arts are hosting one Moonlight Movie this season: “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised). The movie starts at sunset around 8:30 pm but there will be musical performances and activities starting at 7:30 pm prior to the movie.

Movies in Clark Park

Fridays in August, sunset

4300-4398 Baltimore Ave.

 

In August, Clark 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.

 

• August 4 – Raiders Of The Lost Ark
• August 11 – Encanto
• August 18 – King Richard
• August 25 – Top Gun: Maverick

Bartram’s Garden

Various dates

5400 Lindbergh Boulevard

 

Southwest Philly’s Bartram’s Garden has a couple family movie nights planned this summer, as well as two features co-presented by cinéSPEAK which may be good for older kids.

 

• July 14 – cinéSPEAK presents River
• July 21 – Family Movie Night: Creed III
• August 18 – cinéSPEAK presents Falcon Lake
• August 25 – Family Movie Night: Wakanda Forever

Pictures in the Park

Fridays in September

Sister Cities Park, 210 N 18th Street

 

Spend Friday nights in September watching a family-friendly movie in Sister Cities Park!

 

• September 8 – Encanto
• September 15 – DC League of Super-Pets
• September 22 – Minions: The Rise of Gru
• September 29 – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

First Friday Flicks at the Fountain: Parkside Community Movie Nights

First Fridays through October

John Welsh Memorial Fountain, Avenue of the Republic

 

On the first Friday of August, September, and October, catch a family-friendly movie (and bonus live musical performance!) at the John Welsh Memorial Fountain, across from the Please Touch Museum. Movies include “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Soul,” and “The Woman King.”

 

Updated by Eleanor Linafelt

Photograph courtesy of Visit Philadelphia.