Who doesn’t love summer weather and the chance to get outdoors with your family? For a special treat, let the kids stay up a little later to watch an outdoor movie in your neighborhood. With many towns screening shows, chances are there's a great movie showing near you.
Please note that while many shows are good for kids, some are geared towards adults only.
Mondays
Westwood, NJ
Veteran's Park: movies at 8 pm, free popcorn
- August 6: The Muppet Movie
- August 13: Apollo 13
- August 20: The Goonies
- August 27: North by Northwest
Tuesdays
Hillside, NJ
Conant Park: pre-show activity begins at 7:30 pm, movie starts at dusk
- August 14: Cars 2: The Trailside Ecovan will feature a program about reptiles, before the movie
Fanwood, NJ
LeGrande Park: movies start at dusk, moving gradually from 8:30 pm to 8 pm
- June 26: Rio
- July 3: Puss in Boots
- July 10: Mr. Popper's Penguins
- July 17: The Adventures of Tintin
- July 24: The Muppets
- July 31: Rango
- Aug. 7: Dolphin Tale
- Aug. 14: Cars 2
Elizabeth, NJ
Warinanco Park: activities start at 7:30 pm, with movies at dusk
- July 10: Kung Fu Panda 2: Naturalists from Trailside will display some of the natural wonders found in Watchung Reservation before the movie
- July 17: Happy Feet Two: The Trailside Ecovan will display natural artifacts before the movie
- July 24: Puss in Boots: The Trailside Ecovan will display pelts, gemstones, and other natural wonders before the movie
Springfield, NJ
Meisel Park: activities start at 6 pm, with movie at dusk
- August 7: Justin Bieber: Never Say Never: Take part in National Night Out, starting at 6 pm, before viewing the concert film
Florham Park, NJ
Gazebo Lawn Municipal Complex: 8:30 pm
- August 7: The Muppets
Wednesdays
Bernards Township, NJ
Dunham Park: 8:45 pm showtime, rain date is following day, new for 2012 is the inflatable screen
- July 11: Happy Feet Two: This opening night is Family Fun Night which begins at 6:30 pm and includes a DJ, face painting, carnival games, relay races, and prizes, before the movie
- July 18: Puss in Boots
- July 25: Thor
Upper Montclair, NJ
Applegate Farm Homemade Ice Cream: 8 pm, enjoy a free movie, free ice cream samples, and discount ice cream. There will also be games, activities, prizes, "Minute to Win it," and music
- July 11: Hugo
- July 18: Zookeeper
- July 25: Christmas Vacation
- August. 1: Dolphin Tale
- August 8: Pirates of the Caribbean
- August 15: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
- August 22: The Adventures of Tintin
- August 29: Forrest Gump
Hoboken, NJ
Pier A Park: movies start at 9 pm, moving towards 8:15 pm
- June 13: Money Ball
- June 20: Casablanca
- June 27: Hugo
- July 11: Bridesmaids
- July 18: The Artist
- July 25: The Help
- August 1: The Muppets
- August 8: Toy Story 3
- August 15: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
- August 22: Wizard of Oz
Ridgewood, NJ
Van Neste Square: 8:45 pm, every other Wednesday
- July 11: Jaws
- July 25: Casablanca
- August 15: Beauty and the Beast
- August 29: Breakfast at Tiffany's
Thursdays
Warren, NJ
Library Field or Wagner Farm Arboretum: special presentations before each movie at 7 pm, movies begin around dusk (8 pm-ish), rain location is the Warren B. Boyce Court Room or the pavilion behind the courtroom
- August 9: Cool Runnings (Library Field): pre-show activity is table tennis
- August 16: Karate Kid (Library Field): pre-show activity is a free karate class with Master Sidin
- August 23: Charlotte's Web (Wagner Farm Arboretum; 197 Mountain Ave.)
- August 30: Dolphin Tale (Wagner Farm Arboretum; 197 Mountain Ave.)
East Hanover, NJ
Applegate Farm Homemade Ice Cream: enjoy a free movie, free ice cream samples, and discount ice cream. There will also be games, activities, prizes, "Minute to Win it," and music
- July 12: Harry Potter (Deathly Hallows Part 2)
- July 26: Hugo
- August 9: Pirates of the Caribbean
- August 23: Dr. Seuss' The Lorax
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Franklin Lakes Municipal Field: seating will begin at 8 pm
- July 19 (Rain date: July 20): Dolphin Tale
Summit, NJ
Village Green: Screen on the Green: family dance party and giveaways at 8 pm, movie starts at 8:30 pm or after dark
- July 12: Puss in Boots (rain date: July 16)
- July 19: Dolphin Tale (rain date: July 23)
- July 26: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (rain date: July 30)
- August 2: The Muppets (rain date: August 6)
- August 9: Casablanca (rain date: August 10)
Fridays
Leonia, NJ
Overpeck Park: 8:30 pm, rain dates are the following Sundays
- July 13: Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
- July 20: Madagascar
- July 27: Curious George
Bridgewater, NJ
Duke Island Park: travel back in time with drive-in movies in the park, 8:30 pm
- July 13: Mr. Popper's Penguins
- July 20: Rio
- July 27: We Bought a Zoo
Saturdays
Marlboro, NJ
Marlboro Recreation Center Amphitheater
- June 30: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (9 pm)
- July 14: Spy Kids (9 pm)
- August 4: Kung Fu Panda Two (8:30 pm)
And a few more…
Shore Flicks is showing tons of movies in Monmouth and Ocean Counties this summer. Find their full schedule here.
New York City has plenty of outdoor movies for your viewing pleasure as well. This Week in New York has a comprehensive list.
Montclair is hosting its Cinema Montclairismo Outdoor Movie Series, which takes place on various days at multiple venues.
And if you're looking for free indoor movies…
Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank, NJ will be showing Spongebob Squarepants: The Movie on Tuesday, August 14 at 2 and 7 pm.
Clearview Cinemas (through August 30) offers free screenings on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am. Locations include South Orange, Wayne, Clifton, Chester, Hoboken, Parsippany, Ridgewood, Kinnelon, Madison, and more; see all locations at their full schedule.
Showcase Theatres also offers weekly free screenings (July 11 through August 8)—but kids will need to bring a book report to “Bookworm Wednesdays” at 10 am to get in free. Full schedule and details online. New Jersey locations include Edgewater and Randolph.