Free Movies in New York City
BRYANT PARK FILM SERIES
Most New Yorkers are already aware of this free summer film series. You can start your work week off by catching a film on Monday night at Bryant Park. Bryant Park, is the lawn behind the New York Public Library, between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. Admittance to the lawn begins at 5:00pm, and once it does people flock to claim their patch of grass. This is a great way to spend an evening, especially if you plan ahead. Why not pack a picnic dinner and bring a blanket to sit on for a more enjoyable evening? I usually see a lot of couples snacking on cheese and crackers (and sneaking sips of wine).
Remaining Schedule:
July 31 – A Shot In The Dark
August 7 – The Manchurian Candidate
August 14 – Charade
August 21 – Rocky
RIVERFLICKS
If Bryant Park is too big of crowd for you to handle, then the RiverFlicks series may be your best bet. Many New Yorkers are totally unaware of the numerous activities available on the West Side Highway (batting cages, basketball hoops, free concerts), but now you have no excuse not to take advantage of the free movie screenings. RiverFlicks is a series of films being shown in the Hudson River Parks. Both Pier 46 and Pier 54 show films, though on different nights. These were some of the first sights to host outdoor free films in the city. At Pier 46, located at Charles St. and the West Side Highway, family oriented films such as ET and Lemony Snicket are this summer’s theme. They can be seen on Friday nights. The films at Pier 54 are geared to a more adult crowd, and this summer their theme is movies with mean characters. Pier 54 shows films on Wednesday nights at 14th Street and the West Side Highway. The movies usually begin around 8:30 pm on both nights.
Remaining Schedule:
Pier 46
August 4 – Nanny McPhee
August 11 – Lemony Snicket’s – A Series of Unfortunate Events
August 18 – Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
August 25 – ET
Pier 54
August 2 – Cruel Intentions
August 9 – Goldfinger
August 16 – Goodfellas
August 23 – A Clockwork Orange
RIVERSIDE PARK
Riverside Park at Pier 1 is another place you can watch free movies in Manhattan on the water. Located at West 70th Street and the Hudson River, this area is well known for being close to the enormous Trump Buildings, but movies are shown here as well on Wednesday nights at 8:30.
Remaining Schedule:
August 2 – The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie
August 9 – On the Town
August 16 – A River Runs Through It
BROOKLYN BRIDGE PARK FILM SERIES
If you don’t mind crossing over into Brooklyn then the Brooklyn Bridge Park is a wonderful venue to see a film at on Thursday nights. Not only do you get the opportunity to catch a free movie, you also get a stunning view of the Manhattan skyline. If you arrive early, anytime after 6:00pm you will be treated to music spun by a live DJ. The movie follows at dusk. To get to the Brooklyn Bridge Park you can take the A or C Train to the High Street Station, the 2 or 3 Train to the Clark Street Station, or the F Train to the York Street Station. The park is located at 1 Main Street.
Remaining Schedule:
August 3 – The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
August 10 – Bonnie and Clyde
August 17 – Raiders of the Lost Ark
August 24 – The Warriors
SUMMERSCREEN SERIES
The L Magazine presents its summer movie series at McCarren Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. This is definitely the film series geared more toward the hip crowd. From its venue – a giant empty pool in Williamsburg, to the selection of films like cult-fav Bottle Rocket, a fashionale crowd can be expected here. On Tuesday nights during the summer this space, located at McCarren Park (Lorimer St. between Driggs and Bayard Aves), will show films that start around dusk. Get there early and catch some tunes before-hand. If arriving by subway, take the L Train and get off at the Bedford Ave stop, then walk north on Bedford and take a right onto Lorimer.
Remaining Schedule:
August 1 – Bottle Rocket
August 8 – The French Connection
August 14 – The Swimmer
August 22 – Love Streams
August 26 – Style Wars
Now that I’ve provided you with a guide to the best free movies in New York City here’s a quick re-cap of what nights to go to each venue. You no longer have any excuse not to take advantage of the fantastic free movies in New York City,
Mondays: Bryant Park , lawn opens at 5pm
Tuesdays: SummerScreen @ McCarren Pool, at dusk
Wednesdays: RiverFlicks @ Pier 54, at dusk AND Riverside Park, at dusk
Thursdays: Brooklyn Bridge Park Film Series, at dusk
Fridays: RiverFlicks @ Pier 46, at dusk
