Over 70 outdoor films are scheduled to screen in Brooklyn between June and September 2012 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, you can enjoy 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 2012 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 8 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 2012 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, are shown on Wednesday evenings. Bring your blanket, food and drink, and settle in for a great evening.
Get the 2012 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 2012 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.
Check the 2012 schedule of Outdoor Movies in East River State Park, Williamsburg.
6. 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 2012 Brooklyn schedule of this well-regarded weekend series.
7. FREE (or CHEAP) Outdoor Movies at DeKalb Market in Downtown Brooklyn: Thursdays
DeKalb Market is an interesting place, with shops spilling out from huge recycled shipping containers. They're known for experimental programming, from late night markets to cool Christmas craft fairs. In the summer, starting in 2012, they also feature free (and sometimes not free, but very cheap) outdoor films. Good grub, too. Note: it's not every Thursday.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. FREE Celebrate Brooklyn! Saturday Night Fever 35th Anniversary- July 14, 2012
Once a season, the Prospect Park Bandshell is transformed into an outdoor movie theater with a live orchestra. This year the classic movie that catapulted John Travolta to stardom and sent disco and the Gibb brothers into the stratosphere has some of the greatest dance scenes ever committed to celluloid, but it’s also a moving coming of age drama and a gritty, sometimes brutal portrait of blue collar Brooklyn in the 1970s.
To mark SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER’s 35th anniversary, there will be a screening of the original (rated R—not appropriate for a younger audience) film and a pre-film musical set by TRAGEDY, the Tri-State Area’s #1 heavy metal tribute to the Bee Gees. Tony Manero costumes welcome.
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.
