Seeing Stars: Your Guide to Boston’s Outdoor Summer Movies

Grab your blankets and lawn chairs! The summer shows are about to start.

By Allison Sutcliffe July 20, 2021

ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station welcomes back its free outdoor film series on the second Saturday of each month from May to October 2018. Evenings feature surprise pop-up performances or activities along with curated shorts preceding the feature film. Movie lovers are encouraged to arrive early and visit the ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station galleries, studios, and museums. Grab a picnic, blanket, or low back chair and spend an evening underneath the stars with friends, family, and neighbors. Movies begin after sunset. All ages are invited, and no alcohol can be brought into the venue. The series is produced by the NTC Foundation in partnership with Pacific Arts Movement, presenters of the San Diego Asian Film Festival. May 12: Coco (2017), presented by New Americans Museum “The movie Coco celebrates tradition, heritage, family ties, and multigenerational storytelling, themes that are all very close to the mission of New Americans Museum. Like Miguel in the movie, we cannot deny our heritage, and as new and born Americans, we all have a story shaped by the decisions of our ancestors.” -Linda Sotelo, Executive Director, New Americans Museum

The summer outdoor movie season is underway! Boston families are flocking to nearby movies in the park to get their blockbuster fix while they can. So grab your lawn chairs, blankets and plenty of popcorn before you head out. These under-the-stars events and free summer movies are what you’ve been waiting for. Watch on!

Mayor Kim Janey’s Movie Nights

August is all about the Mayor’s movie series that park hops around the city so families can catch one nearby whenever they choose. You won’t need to register, but you will need to bring your outdoor movie gear along—low-back chairs, blankets, snacks and drinks. Shows start at dusk so activities to keep the kids busy while you wait is another must-have on this city excursion. Here’s what’s playing and where:

Aug. 9 in Jamaica Plain - How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Aug. 16 in Roslindale – Missing Link
Aug. 17 in South Boston – Onward
Aug. 19 in West Roxbury – Descendants 3
Aug. 24 in Dorchester – Raya and the Last Dragon
Aug. 26 in Roxbury – Trolls World Tour
Aug. 30 in Hyde Park – Toy Story 4
Aug. 31 in Charlestown – The Croods: A New Age
Sep. 10 in Downtown/Chinatown – Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start at dusk
Online: boston.gov/events

Summer Flicks at Patriot Place

We couldn’t think of a better place to watch movies on the big screen than at Enel Plaza. This free outdoor movie series has a little something for everyone, including summer blockbusters you’ve seen and a few you may not have caught yet. You’ll need to pack blankets and chairs so everyone can lounge. But leave the snacks to them. Concessions will be available from Showcase Cinema de Lux for purchase.

Cost: Free
Hours: Reserve your seats starting at 6 p.m. Movies start at dusk.

Enel Plaza
2 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA
Event details

Drive-In Movies at MVP

Change up your movie in the park experience for an old-school drive-in with this series that’s been running strong since Memorial Day. We love that movies play Thursday through Saturdays, giving families lots of options. And the fact you can get in a round of half-price mini golf first just adds to the appeal of this two-fer event.

Cost: $25/carload
Hours: Movies start around 8 p.m.

MVP Family Fun Center
2087 Main St.
Tewksbury, MA
Event details

Cambridge Crossing Movie Nights

This summer Cambridge Crossing is teaming up with Brattle Theater to bring you family-friendly movies on the Maria Baldwin Open Space Park. For three nights this summer, families can take in a double-feature and enjoy their favorite movie oldies. With each ticket families will get popcorn and water. If you’re thirsting for more, food trucks will be onsite to help. Bring lawn chairs and blankets to keep everyone happy and comfy while you watch movies under the stars.

Cost: Free
Hours: Doors open at 5 p.m. Movies start at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Baldwin Park
222 Jacobs St.
Cambridge, MA
Event details

Friday Night at the Movies

You bring the blankets and snacks. Leave the entertainment to The Loring Greenough House staff. They'll be playing movies on the lawn throughout the summer and you're invited. Tickets are required, as space is limited.

Cost: $5/adult, members; $7/adult, non-members; $3/kids, ages 3-12; Free for kids 2 & under.
Hours: The curtain goes up at 8 p.m.

The Loring Greenough House
12 South St.
Jamaica Plain, MA
Event details

Monday Night Movies at the Beach

We love this series that starts your week off right, with the perfect ending to a Monday road trip adventure—an ocean-side movie. We’re talking surf and sand and a nearby playground to keep everyone busy throughout the day. Then it’s on to beach chairs and popcorn before the show starts around dusk. All movies are weather dependent and the rain date is planned the following Tuesday.

Cost: Free
Hours: Movies start at dusk

Hampton Beach
Hampton, NH
Event details

—Allison Sutcliffe

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