Free Outdoor Movies in Boston: Summer 2024

The best part of summer is getting to enjoy more things outdoors, like watching movies. Now, you can have a completely different movie experience on a beach, in a courtyard, on a mansion lawn, and more – no need to nest on the couch. Enjoy great films with a community vibe and explore Boston (in and around) with these free outdoor movie events this summer. 

By Yelena Nicolle Salvador

Movies series listed in chronological order based on upcoming start date. 

MOVIE NIGHTS AT MIT OPEN SPACE

Cross the River and head to the Kendall/MIT community space for free popcorn, snacks, and a movie in their outdoor courtyard.

• Fri, 6/14: 'Spirited Away'
• Fri, 6/28: 'Hidden Figures'
• Fri, 7/12: 'Shrek'
• Fri, 7/19: 'Back to the Future’ 
• Fri, 8/2: 'My Neighbor Totoro'
• Thu, 8/8: 'The Imitation Game’
• Fri, 8/16: TBA
• Fri, 8/30: TBA

THE ANCHOR SUMMER MOVIE SERIES

Breathe in the fresh air, take in the views of the Charlestown Naval Yard, and enjoy nights full of laughter, good company, and a great movie at the Anchor’s open-air courtyard.

• Wed, 6/19: ‘42’
• Wed, 6/26: ‘The Devil Wears Prada’
• Wed, 7/3: ‘4th of July – Top Gun’
• Wed, 7/10: ‘Dirty Dancing’
• Wed, 7/17: ‘In The Heights’
• Wed, 7/24: ‘Shark Week – Jaws’
• Wed, 7/31: ‘The Goonies’
• Wed, 8/7: ‘Mamma Mia’
• Wed, 8/14: ‘Knives Out’
• Wed, 8/21: ‘Barbie’
• Wed, 8/28: ‘Back to the Future’

SUMMER FLICKS AT PATRIOT PLACE

Patriot Place hosts so many family-friendly events year-round, and this summer, their movie nights will be outside the Patriot Place Hotel. Get there early for some pre-show entertainment, wait for the sun to set, and enjoy a summer flick under the stars.

• Wed, 6/19: 'Soul'
• Wed, 7/10: 'Barbie'
• Wed, 7/24: 'Ratatouille'
• Wed, 8/7: 'Wonka'
• Wed, 8/14: 'Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie'
• Wed, 8/28: 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny'

BOSTON LANDING OUTDOOR MOVIE NIGHTS

Stroll through Boston Landing’s series of makers’ markets and DJ tunes in the month of June before watching a film. You can watch the sun set, grab some complimentary snacks, and more for the rest of the summer season before their movie nights.

• Thu, 6/20: 'The Greatest Showman'
• Thu, 6/27: '27 Dresses'
• Thu, 7/11: 'Home Alone'
• Thu, 7/25: 'Clueless'
• Thu, 8/8: 'Barbie'
• Thu, 8/22: 'Footloose'

SUMMER SATURDAYS AT THE URBAN GARDEN

Head to the secret rooftop garden on top of the Kendall parking garage for summer movie nights, complete with complimentary snacks and a pre-DJ set.

• Sat, 6/22: ‘Trolls Band Together’
• Sat, 7/20: ‘Elemental’
• Sat, 8/24: ‘Wish’
• Sat, 9/21: ‘The Marvels’

THEATRE THURSDAYS AT REVERE BEACH

The perfect summer getaway is sitting on a blanket on the sand while watching a movie. And Revere is providing that experience for you! Get there early for some music and free popcorn, then enjoy a nighttime experience with the ocean waves and a great film.

• Thu, 6/27: 'Shrek'
• Thu, 7/11: 'Trolls Band Together'
• Thu, 7/25: 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem'
• Thu, 8/1: 'Barbie'
• Thu, 8/8: 'Cars'
• Thu, 8/15: 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom' 
• Thu, 8/22: 'Haunted Mansion'

FRIDAY FLICKS AT BOYNTON YARDS

Bring your friends to play life-sized yard games, grab some free popcorn, drinks, and candy, and watch a movie in this industrial-esque community space!

• Fri, 6/28: 'Migration'
• Fri, 7/26: 'Wonka'
• Fri, 8/9: 'Elemental'

COOLIDGE @ THE SPEEDWAY

Two historical places have teamed up to provide an outdoor movie experience. The Coolidge Theater, a beloved local independent movie theater, is providing the reels and the Speedway, a used-to-be race track, is setting the stage with a beer garden, food, and more.

• Wed, 7/10: ‘The Rock’
• Wed, 8/7: ‘Scooby-Doo’

MOVIES AT THE MANSION 

There are so many fun places to watch a movie, but now, you can say you’ve seen one at a historical mansion! Head to the Lyman Estate, take a tour of the property, enjoy live music, and stay for an outdoor movie on the lawn.

• Thu, 7/11: 'Barbie'
• Thu, 7/18: 'Elemental'
• Thu, 7/25: 'A League of Their Own'

SUMMER FLICKS AT THE PRUDENTIAL CENTER

The Pru is known for its iconic colorful light displays and its wide selection of shops. But it also hosts movie nights on its South Garden! Bring a blanket and a picnic, or grab some food from inside, and enjoy family-friendly entertainment before a movie showing that starts at dusk.

• Sat, 7/13: 'Legally Blonde'
• Sat, 7/20: 'The Marvels'
• Sat, 7/27: 'Elemental'
• Sat, 8/3: 'The Princess and the Frog'
• Sat, 8/10: 'National Treasure'
• Sat, 8/17: 'Migration'
• Sat, 8/24: 'The Little Mermaid

MOVIE NIGHTS AT THE LOT ON THE DOT

Head to this new event space that is back for its second year: The LOT! Looking to build community in South Boston, The LOT is part of a transformative project that focuses on hosting events to bring people together. So, head on over with a chair or blanket and get ready to play lawn games before a cozy movie night.

• Sat, 7/18: 'Up'
• Sat, 8/1: 'Frozen'
• Sat, 8/15: 'Toy Story'
• Sat, 8/29: 'Sandlot'
• Fri, 9/13: 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour'

SCIENCE ON SCREEN AT THE GREENWAY

Coolidge will be hosting sci-fi movie nights where scientists will introduce the free flick right on the Greenway.

• Wed, 7/31: 'Godzilla 2000'
• Wed, 8/21: 'Apollo 13'

PARAMOUNT+ MOVIE NIGHTS IN SEAPORT

Enjoy eight different movies in the big Seaport parking lot! Bring a picnic or grab a bite from the surrounding local businesses or the pop-ups onsite. Don't forget to pack a chair or a blanket to sit on as you watch a fan favorite flick at dusk.

• Mon, 8/5: 'Good Burger'
• Mon, 8/12: 'School of Rock'
• Mon, 8/19: 'How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days'
• Mon, 8/26: 'PAW Patrol: The Movie'
• Mon, 9/2: 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts'
• Mon, 9/9: 'Mean Girls'
• Mon, 9/16: 'Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'
• Mon, 9/23: 'Catch Me If You Can'

MAYOR’S MOVIE NIGHTS

Explore the towns of Boston by participating in Mayor Wu’s Movie Night extravaganza! Make your way from Allston to Charlestown and enjoy free popcorn with a wide selection of fun films.

• Tue, 8/6: Allston/Brighton Movie Night: ‘The Little Mermaid’
• Mon, 8/12: Jamaica Plain Meteor Shower Movie Night: ‘A Million Miles Away’
• Tue, 8/13: Roslindale Movie Night: ‘Elemental’
• Wed, 8/14: West Roxbury Movie Night: ‘Wonka’
• Mon, 8/19: Roxbury Movie Night: ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’
• Wed, 8/21: South End Movie Night: ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
• Thu, 8/22: Hyde Park Movie Night: ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’
• Mon, 8/26: Charlestown Movie Night: ‘Trolls Band Together’
• Tue, 8/27: Dorchester Movie Night: ‘Wish’
• Wed, 8/28: East Boston Movie Night: ‘Encanto’ 
• Thu, 8/29: Downtown Movie Night: ‘Ghostbusters: The Frozen Empire’

MFA SUNSET CINEMA

The MFA hosts movie nights on Huntington Avenue Lawn. No ticket required! Just get there early to claim your seat and enjoy beautiful sunset views as you watch a movie with the Boston community.

• Tue, 8/20: 'Bob Marley: One Love'

BONUS: 

These great flicks are worth the price. 

THE ROXBURY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

10 days full of inspiring films, documentaries, and shorts! You do not want to miss the largest festival in New England that celebrates people of color. In collaboration with the MFA, this film festival the work of diverse filmmakers.

Cost: $12-15

• Fri, 6/21: ‘The People United! A Cinematic Diary’
• Mon, 6/24: ‘Shorts: Next Generation’ (Free!)
• Tue, 6/25: ‘gOD-Talk’
• Tue, 6/25: ‘Double Feature: After the long rains + Kesho Pia Ni Siku: Tomorrow is Another Day’
• Wed, 6/26: ‘Paul Laurence Dunbar: A Documentary’(Free!)
• Wed, 6/26: ‘Force of Blue’
• Wed, 6/26: ‘Shorts: Local Filmmakers’ (Free!)
• Wed, 6/26: ‘Double Feature: Lipstick + Sway’
• Thu, 6/27: ‘Shorts: Race and Identity’ 
• Fri, 6/28: ‘Sing Sing’ 

FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES AT THE LORING GREENOUGH HOUSE

It’s the fourth season of Friday Night Movies at The Loring Greenough House and 100 years of this history building being saved by an all-women group. As a result, this year’s outdoor movie series features all female or female-presenting leads! Come by and watch some campy films.

Cost: $5-7

• Fri, 6/28: ‘Bottoms’
• Fri, 7/26: ‘Paris is Burning’
• Fri, 8/23: ‘Jaws’
• Fri, 9/21: ‘My Neighbor Totoro’
• Fri, 10/4: ‘Addams Family Values’
• Fri, 10/11: ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’

THE BOSTON FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL

The Boston French Film Festival showcases a wide selection of films that will make you laugh and make you cry. Don’t worry, all films will have English subtitles, so you can enjoy the experience.

Cost: $12-15

• Lineup: Here

**

Get comfy outdoors for movie-watching all over Boston.

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  ¡Miércoles Maravilloso!: free in-person Spanish convo practice

  Wednesday, Oct 16, 2024 7:15p

  Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)
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  Left of the Charles Festival

  Sunday, Oct 20, 2024 12:00p

  The Charles River Speedway
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  A Strange & Unusual SMALL ⭐ MART at Crystal Ballroom

  Saturday, Oct 19, 2024 11:00a

  Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
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  James Bond Yoga Night - mindfulness party for millennials

  Thursday, Oct 17, 2024 7:00p

  Secret Indoor Venue in Union Square, Somerville [exact location given to registered guests]

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