There’s something truly magical about watching a movie outdoors, and the Washington, DC area offers a myriad of venues where you can enjoy your favorite films in the open air. So, grab your blanket and popcorn and check out our guide to outdoor movies in DC, MD, and VA.
Guide to Outdoor Movies in Washington, DC
- Capitol Riverfront Outdoor Movie Series: Catch a FREE movie under the stars at Audi Field! Every Thursday evening throughout the summer, the Capitol Riverfront BID brings you a family-friendly blockbuster. Spread out on the Audi Field grass and enjoy a night of cinema under the stars. Movies start at sundown.
- June 6 – Barbie
- June 20 – Mean Girls
- June 27 – The Marvels
- July 18 – Wonka
- United States Navy Memorial: Movies on the Memorial, hosted by the United States Navy Memorial, are back this summer! Enjoy an exciting line up of Navy and DC themed movies we’ll play outside on our plaza at 8:00 pm for FREE.
- June 20 – Top Gun: Maverick
- June 27 – Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
- July 11 – National Treasure
- July 18 – Captain America: The Winter Soldier
- July 25 – Hamilton
- August 1 – Fan’s Choice (voting opens soon!)
- The Drive-In at Union Market: The Drive-In at Union Market is a drive-in theater offering the classic big-screen experience under the stars. Tickets are $20 per car. No tickets are needed to watch on Neal Place.
- May 10 – Grease
- June 14 – Mama Mia
- July 12 – Ratatouille
- August 9 – Hook
- September 13 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens
- October 4 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
- Extraordinary Cinema THE REACH: Extraordinary Cinema at The REACH is a free outdoor film series that takes place at The REACH, an outdoor arts space at the Kennedy Center. Movies are shown on Friday nights throughout the summer.
- June 14 – 10,000 Dreams: A Festival of Asian Choreography
- June 21 – Elemental
- June 28 – Ratatouille
- July 5 – In The Heights
- July 12 – The Peanut Butter Falcon
- July 19 – A River Runs Through It
- July 26 – School of Rock
- August 2 – Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
- Adams Morgan Movie Nights: Warm up for the Paris Olympic Games 2024 with a winning selection of sports films! Adams Morgan Movie Nights is a free movie series that takes place on the soccer field at Marie Reed School in Adams Morgan. Movies are shown on Tuesday nights in June.
- June 4 – Bend It Like Beckham
- June 11 – Battle of the Sexes [Pride Night]
- June 18 – Race [Juneteenth]
- June 25 – Space Jam
- Downtown DC Summer Flicks: Downtown DC Summer Flicks is a free movie series that takes place on the lawn at Franklin Park in Downtown DC. This year the night starts with an impressive lineup of special guest DJs for the ultimate outdoor experience. Movies are shown on Thursday nights, starting at 7:30PM.
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June 13 – The Marvels
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June 20 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3
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June 27 – Wonka
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July 11 – John Wick Chapter 4
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July 18 – Under the Cherry Moon
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- Sunset Cinema at the Wharf: Sunset Cinema at The Wharf is a family-friendly, free movie series that takes place on the Transit Pier at The Wharf. Movies are shown on Thursday nights.
- June 13 – Mean Girls (2004)
- June 20 – Captain Phillips
- June 27 – 50 First Dates
- July 11 – Angels in the Outfield
- July 18 – Dreamgirls
- July 25 – King Richard
- August 1 – Top Gun: Maverick
- August 8 – Boys in the Boat
- August 15 – Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
- August 22 – Wonka
- August 29 – SOUL
Guide to Outdoor Movies in MD
- National Harbor Movies on the Potomac: National Harbor, located in Maryland just outside of D.C., hosts a summer movie series called “Movies on the Potomac.” Movies are shown on a large screen along the waterfront, and the screenings are free. The series runs from May to September.
- June 16 at 6 pm – Elemental
- June 20 at 7 pm – Gran Turismo
- June 23 at 6 pm – Little Mermaid (2023)
- June 27 at 7 pm – American-ish
- June 30 at 6 pm – Trolls Band Together
- July 4 at 7 pm – A League of Their Own
- July 7 at 6 pm – Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie
- July 11 at 7 pm – Are you There, God, It’s Me, Margaret
- July 14 at 6 pm – Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
- July 18 at 7 pm – Arthur the King
- July 21 at 6 pm – Wonka
- July 25 at 7 pm – Elvis
- July 28 at 6 pm – The Rookie
- August 4 at 6 pm – Soul Surfer
- August 8 at 7 pm – Race
- August 11 at 7 pm – I Am Bolt
- August 15 at 7 pm – Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
- August 18 at 6 pm – Migration
- August 25 at 6 pm – Finding Nemo
- September 1 at 6 pm – Parent Trap (1998)
- September 8 at 6 pm – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
- September 12 at 7 pm – Top Gun
- September 15 at 6 pm – Dora and the Lost City of Gold
- September 19 at 7 pm – Top Gun Maverick
- September 22 at 6 pm – A Million Miles Away
- September 29 at 6 pm – Inside Out 2
- Movies in the Parks: Movies in the Parks is a free series of outdoor movies that takes place at four different parks in Rockville throughout the summer. Movies begin at dusk and are family-friendly.
- July 31 – The Emperor’s New Groove at Fallsgrove Park 700 Fallsgrove Dr.
- August 7 – The Super Mario Bros. Movie at Montrose Park 451 Congressional Ln.
- August 14 – Encanto at Calvin Park 1248 Gladstone Dr.
- August 21 – Matilda at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park 1800 Piccard Dr.
- Whalen Commons Summer Movie Series is a free series of outdoor movies that takes place at Whalen Commons Park in Poolesville. Movies begin at dusk and are family-friendly.
- June 14 – Mary Poppins Returns
- July 12 – Teen Beach Movie
- August 23 – Goonies
- Bengies Drive-In Theatre is a drive-in theater that shows classic and new movies. It is located in Glen Burnie, Maryland.
- See a variety of shows on different days.
- Bethesda Outdoor Movies: In downtown Bethesda, Maryland, the Bethesda Urban Partnership hosts a free outdoor movie series called “Bethesda Outdoor Movies.” Movies are shown at Woodmont Triangle.
- July 26 – Men in Black
- August 2 – Battle of the Sexes
- August 9 – Sister Act
- Free Movies Under the Stars at Black Rock Center: Summer nights call for movie lights! The BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown shows FREE movies during the summer. Plus check out all the summer events including comedy shows, music, artisan markets and more.
- July 12 – The Incredibles
- July 26 – Sonic the Hedgehog 2
- August 7 – E.T. The Extraterrestrial
- Summer Nights Series at Cabin John Village: Live music and kids activities start at 6:30PM before the show at sundown.
- July 5 – Top Gun Maverick
- August 2 – Ratatouille
- September 6 – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- October 4 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Guide to Outdoor Movies in VA
- Movie Night on the Village at Landsowne Town Center: Find a variety of free outdoor family-friendly fun plus free movies at Landsowne Town Center.
- June 21 – The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- June 26 – The Great Zucchini (Entertainment)
- July 11 – Abracadabra Alex (Entertainment)
- July 19 – Trolls: Band Together
- August 16 – Elemental
- Films in the Park at Mosaic: the Strawberry park turns into an open-air theater showing free family-friendly movies. Weekly from 7-9:30 pm see a fun movie.
- June 20 – Barbie
- June 27 – High School Musical 2
- July 4 – Top Gun: Maverick
- July 11 – Migration
- July 18 – Trolls Band Together
- July 25 – Wish
- August 1 – The Marvels
- August 8 – Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie
- August 15 – My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3
- Summerbration at Reston Station: Summerbration at Reston Station is a series of free events celebrating summer! It features live music, movies, family-friendly activities, and even wellness events.
- June 15 – Cool Runnings
- June 22 – Kung Fu Panda
- June 29 – Super Mario Brothers
- July 6 – The Rookie
- July 13 – Bring It On
- July 20 – Kicking and Screaming
- August 3 – The Sandlot
- August 10 – The Mighty Ducks
- August 17 – Airbud
- August 24 – Angels in the Outfield
- August 31 – Blades of Glory
- Movies Under the Moon: Movies Under the Moon is a free outdoor movie night series held at Van Dyck Park in Fairfax, Virginia.
- June 14 – Elemental
- July 12 – WALL E
- August 19 – The Incredibles 2
- September 13 – Onward
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Rosslyn Cinema Outdoor Movie Festival: In Rosslyn, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from D.C., the Rosslyn Cinema Outdoor Movie Festival takes place during the summer. The movies are shown at Gateway Park, and admission is free.
- June 7 – Hairspray (2007)
- June 14 – The Secret Life of Pets
- June 21 – Barbie
Outdoor movies have become a cherished staple of summer entertainment, but be sure to check all of our fun guides for summer: Best Pools for Families in DC, MD, VA, Ultimate Guide to Summer Fun, and the DC Summer Bucket List. And if you are planning a beach vacation, check out our guide to Kid-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts.
