Over 70 outdoor films are scheduled to screen in Brooklyn between June and September 2011. Some film festivals run only six weeks; others run from May to September.
Amazingly, you can catch a free film every day of the week through much of this summer in Brooklyn.
You can pick your movie, pick the best day of the week or pick your venue--Prospect Park, Red Hook, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Williamsburg, even Coney Island or a a rooftop in Fort Greene.
Outdoor films (many are free) are shown on Mondays (Coney Island), Tuesdays (Red Hook), Wednesdays (McCarren Park in Williamsburg), Thursdays (Brooklyn Bridge Park), Fridays and Saturdays in various venues around the borough, and on Sundays (Fort Greene).
1. FREE Flicks on the Beach in Coney Island: Mondays
Courtesy of the NYC Development Corp.
What could be more fun? Welcome to Movies on the Beach in Coney Island. As part of the historic area's makeover, starting in 2011 there will be free films on Monday nights. The movies are shown on a forty-foot screen. Grab a hot dog at Nathans, or spend the afternoon exploring the NY Aquarium (open 10 a.m.-6 p.m.) and walking along the Atlantic Ocean boardwalk. What a great summertime thing to do in Brooklyn!
Here's the summer film schedule and location for free Monday night movies in Coney Island.
2. FREE Red Hook Park Summer Film Festival: Tuesdays
This community-based outdoor film festival, held in a spectacular setting with views of NY Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, offers ten outdoor movies, with a rain venue nearby. Bring a picnic (no alcohol) or munch on popcorn; local restaurants run specials on film nights. The festival is sponsored by local businesses. Free.
Get the schedule of free films shown on Tuesday nights in Red Hook.
3. FREE SummerScreen in McCarren Park, Free Outdoor Movies: Wednesdays
SummerScreen, launched in 2005, is a hugely popular free outdoor film series in Williamsburg's McCarren Park's ball fields. The films, presented by EPIX and The L Magazine, are shown on Wednesday evenings. Bring your blanket, food and drink, and settle in for a great evening.
Get the schedule of free films shown on Monday nights in Williamsburg's McCarren Park.
4. FREE Outdoor Movies With a View at Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO: Thursdays
Photo by Ellen Freudenheim
See what's playing at the most spectacular outdoor theater in New York City. Watch the sun set over New York Harbor before the film, and enjoy free DJ music as well. First come,first seated; there's limited room on the lawn.
Check the location and schedule of Skyfy's Thursday night free films in Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO.
5. FREE Outdoor Movies in East River State Park, Williamsburg: Thursdays
"Summerstarz" presents both music and movies on Thursday evenings in July & August. There are also kid-friendly activities East River State Park including arts/crafts games.
6. FREE Outdoor Movies at Herbert Von King Park in Bed-Stuy: Thursdays
Check out the free movies here, in the heart of Bed-Stuy. While there, check out the Cultural Arts Center, with an indoor dance studio and the schedule of free summer concerts in the outdoor amphitheater.
7. Rooftop Film Series in Brooklyn: Thursday, Friday, Saturdays
For a taste of what's new in the film world, check out New York's Rooftop Film Series. The venues vary, but Rooftop Films are mostly shown in, or rather, on, buildings in Williamsburg, Fort Greene and Gowanus. Entrance is $10, and there's often a discussion afterwards — and sometimes an after party too!
Here's this summer's Brooklyn schedule of this well-regarded weekend series.
8. FREE Outdoor Movies in the Garden: Fridays (Bay Ridge)
FREE FRIDAY FAMILY NITE CINEMA at NARROWS BOTANICAL GARDENS: Arrive at about 7:15 for a free outdoor movie in the lovely Narrows Botanical Gardens off Shore Road and 71st Street in Bay Ridge. Entertainment for the kids. Bring your own blanket or seating. July and August.
9. Celebrate Brooklyn! Outdoor Movie with Alloy Orchestra: Thursday, August 4
Once a season, the Prospect Park Bandshell is transformed into an outdoor movie theater with a live orchestra. This year the classic movie Metropolis is shown with a unique composition by the famed Alloy Orchestra.
10. FREE Outdoor Movies in Fort Greene's Habana Outpost: Sundays
Live in or near Fort Greene? Every Sunday night of the summer you can see movies under the stars in Fort Greene's crowded, eco-friendly restaurant, Habana Outpost. Get some drinks and Cuban-Mexican food, and settle in for great free films.
