Though you're hard-pressed to find any drive-in movie theaters outside of Happy Days or Brady Bunch re-runs, there's still plenty of opportunities to get your open-air film fix. From sprawling parks to intimate bar backyards, check out some of our favorite picks for where to catch Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Captain America (the 1990 version, obviously) al fresco in New York City.What: Syfy Movies With a View
Where: Brooklyn Bridge Park, Harbor View Lawn, Brooklyn
Synopsis: For the sixth year in a row, the Syfy Channel is partnering with the Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy for weekly summer film programming, music and food. DJs will start spinning at 6pm and classics like Ferris Bueller's Day Off (July 11), Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (July 25), Rocky (August 15), Roman Holiday (August 8) and Vertigo (August 22) start at sundown. Moviegoers can munch on lobster rolls from Luke's Lobster, Blue Marble ice cream and sandwiches from No. 7 subs while they take in the flicks. For the full movie line-up, go HERE.
Dates: Every Thursday from July 11-August 29
Cost: Free
What: Rooftop Films Summer Series
Where: Open Road Rooftop, 350 Grand St., Manhattan
Synopsis: Christmas may be coming early this year for cinephiles (particularly anyone who likes to keep up with all the buzz from Sundance, Tribeca and Cannes), what with Rooftop Films' screenings of festival breakouts and critics' picks like Sebastian Silva's Crystal Fairy (date TBA), Noah Baumbach's Frances Ha (May 11) and Sarah Burns' The Central Park Five (date TBA). Most of the screening dates are still in the works, but you can see the full line-up HERE. We also hear there will also be live music before the screenings, Q&As with cast and crew members and free after-parties.
Dates: Screenings start May 10th, most film dates TBD
Cost: Prices vary but most are free
What: HBO's Bryant Park Summer Film Festival
Where: Bryant Park, Manhattan
Synopsis: Perhaps the Grand Poobah when it comes to New York outdoor screenings, HBO's Bryant Park Summer Film Festival returns Monday, June 17th. The line-up is still TBA but check back here in mid-May when the film schedule is released.
Dates: Every Monday from June 17-August 19
Cost: Free
What: Summerscreen in McCarren Park
Where: McCarren Park, Bedford Ave. & N. 12th St., Brooklyn
Synopsis: Millennial nostalgists will get their fill of '80s and '90s faves like Can't Hardly Wait, Pee Wee's Big Adventure, The Craft, The Goonies, and Speed when they head to McCarren park during its Summerscreen series. Brooklyn music promoter Todd P is curating the pre-screening music line-up (details are still TBA) and guests will have the chance to vote on the sixth -- and final -- film being shown. Choices include Heathers, The Big Lebowski, The Breakfast Club and High Fidelity.
Dates: Every Wednesday from July 10-August 14
Cost: Free
What: Film Screenings at Lavender Lake
Where: Lavender Lake, 383 Carroll St., Brooklyn
Synopsis: The buzzy Gowanus bar recently launched free movie nights that will continue throughout the summer every Tuesday and Wednesday, with two films being screened per night. Who needs popcorn when you can snack on Lavender Lake's fried brussels sprouts and sweet potato gnocci while enjoying feel-good beach flicks like JAWS and Point Break in the backyard?
Dates: Every Tuesday and Wednesday, now through the end of summer.
Cost: Free
What: Tropfest at Prospect Park
Where: The Nethermead at Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Synopsis: Actor Liev Schreiber will host Brooklyn's installment of the "world's largest short film festival" (the festival, which began in Sydney, Australia, also hosts screenings throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Asia). A panel of industry and celebrity judges will choose the winning films after the screenings, which will follow an afternoon of music, art installations and food.
Dates: June 22
Cost: Free but register HERE to attend
What: Films at Summerstage
Where: Locations vary, click HERE for calendar
Synopsis: From hosting the closing night screening of the Brazilian Film Festival to one-off screenings of documentaries whose subjects range from soul food to Stevie Wonder, Summerstage will be scheduling film programming throughout the five borough's many parks this summer. For a complete list, click HERE.
Dates: Dates vary
Cost: Free
What: Hudson River Parks River Flicks
Where: Pier 61 at Chelsea Piers, Manhattan
Synopsis: Miss a bunch of 2012's biggest hits and wish you could've seen them on the big screen? You won't have to see blockbusters like The Avengers or Argo on your 12" Macbook, thanks to Hudson River Park's summer film series, which screens those hits and more, including Silver Linings Playbook, Moonrise Kingdom, and The Hunger Games.
Dates: Every Wednesday from July 10-August 21
Cost: Free
What: Celebrate Brooklyn!
Where: Prospect Park Bandshell (Prospect Park West & 9th St.), Brooklyn
Synopsis: Though the movie line-up is still under wraps, it's a safe bet that Celebrate Brooklyn!'s music and movie roster will include some old-school fan favorites (the 2012 season featured Saturday Night Fever -- complete with live music from a Bee Gees cover band -- and Franco Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet). Additionally, they boast NYC's largest outdoor screen (it's a whopping 50' wide x 21 ' high) and musical acts booked to perform live during the night.
Dates: July 13 and August 8
Cost: Free
What: Intrepid Summer Music Series
Where: Pier 86 (12th Ave. and 46th St.)
Synopsis: Action movie freaks will be in good company at the Intrepid, who's screening such blockbusters like JAWS, Top Gun and Star Trek. Rounding out their "hero-centric" series will be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, The Karate Kid and National Treasure.
Dates: Select Fridays from May 24 through August 23 (for all dates, click HERE)
Cost: Free
What: Outdoor Movies at Hell Gate Social
Where: Hell Gate Social, 12-21 Astoria Blvd., Queens
Synopsis: The folks at Hell Gate Social cheekily told us to expect "goofy, stupid shit" being screened in their backyard every Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Though the line-up is still being finalized, the first few "goofy" movies to be shown will be Team America and Captain America ("the 1990 version") on Memorial Day.
Dates: Every Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day (May 26-September 1)
Cost: Free
What: Outdoor Cinema at Socrates Sculpture Park
Where: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Queens
Synopsis: The Long Island City park hosts the 15th annual International Film, Music, Dance and Food festival, promising lots of tasty regional cuisine from nearby restaurants, musicians, dancers and international film screenings. The line-up is still TBA but will likely be announced sometime in mid-May.
Dates: Every Wednesday from July 3-August 21
Cost: Free
GIF by Isabel Alcantara
