Summer Film Series in the City

A major highlight of spending summer in the city is all the outdoor film series that take place around Manhattan - and Brooklyn too. Although the end of summer is only a mere month away, there’s still time to check out some of the series located at various parks. With the prices of movie theater tickets rising to as high as $20, this is definitely a cheap, fun way to relax and watch movies in the New York City summer breeze.

1)  HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival – The most well known film series in the city, hundreds of NYC dwellers cram into Bryant Park to see some favorite classic movies such as The Magnificent Seven and Third Encounters of the Close Kind. But make sure you get there early - the lawn usually fills up by 6 PM. Every Monday at sunset until Aug 17. Lawn opens 5PM.

2) Central Park Film Festival – Central Park seems to offer everything from Shakespeare in the Park music at SummerStage. And now for 5 nights in mid-August, films like Sex and the City and Oceans’ 11 will be shown in the park (Rumsey Playfield to be exact), with a viewer’s choice pick shown on Saturday the 22^{nd.  Aug 18–22 at 8PM; gates open 6PM. Enter at Fifth Ave and 69th St.}

3) Movies with a View – Head over to the park near Brooklyn Bridge on a Thursday evening where not only will films like Edward Scissorhands will be shown, but music and short films will be present as well. And all of this is back-dropped against an incredible view of Manhattan at night. Empire–Fulton Ferry State Park. Every Thursday at sunset until Aug 27.

      4) River Flicks – Showing movies every Wednesday and Friday at Hudson River Park, moviegoers can expect a plethora of choices, from Tropic Thunder to Ghostbusters. Even better – the popcorn is FREE! Wednesday: Pier 54 at 14th St at the Hudson River. Friday: Pier 46 at Charles St at the Hudson River  Every Wednesday and Friday at sunset until Aug 21.

5) Summer on the Hudson - Movies Under the Stars – Showing more classic, yet timeless films, Riverside Park is a great place to see older movies that can be as fulfilling (but not at all as boring) as a history lesson. Pier 1 at W. 70th St at the Hudson River. Every Wednesday at 8:30PM until Aug 12.