Who doesn’t love summer weather and the chance to get outdoors with your family? One of my favorite things to do with my kids is to let them stay up late to watch the annual outdoor movie in our 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.
Tuesdays
Newark, NJ
Branch Brook Park In The Meadow, north of Ballantine Gates. Movies shown at sundown, festivities start at 7:30 pm
- July 12: Megamind
- July 19: E.T.—The Extra Terrestrial
- July 26: Elf
- August 2: Step Up 3D
Fanwood, NJ
LeGrande Park at dusk, moving gradually from 8:30 pm to 8 pm
- July 12: Ramona and Beezus
- July 19: Despicable Me
- July 26: Shrek Forever After
- August 2: Tangled
- August 9: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
- August 16: Toy Story 3
Elizabeth, NJ
Warinanco Park: Activities start at 7:30 pm, with movies at dusk
- July 12: Despicable Me
- July 19: Space Jam
- July 26: Kung Fu Panda
Springfield, NJ
Meisel Park: Activities start at 7:30 pm, with movies at dusk
- August 2: G-Force
- August 9: Finding Nemo
Florham Park, NJ
Gazebo Lawn Municipal Complex, 8:30 pm
- August 2: Toy Story 3
Wednesdays
Hoboken, NJ
Pier A Park First St. and Frank Sinatra Drive, 9 pm moving towards 8:15 pm
- July 13: The King’s Speech
- July 20: The Social Network
- July 27: Waiting for Superman
- August 3: The Wizard of Oz
- August 10: Despicable Me
- August 17: Tangled
- August 24: Toy Story 3
Ridgewood, NJ
Van Neste Square, 8 pm
- July 20: Some Like it Hot
Thursdays
Marlboro
Marlboro Recreation Center Amphitheater
- July 21: Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton version) (8:45pm)
- August 4: Tangled (8:30pm)
- August 18:The Incredibles (8:15pm)
Summit
Village Green, Screen on the Green: family fun (dancing, hula hooping, and more) starts at 8 pm
- July 14: The Wizard of Oz
- July 21: Shrek Forever After
- July 28: Greetings from the Shore—special adults-only "date night" including Q&A with members of the cast, as well as the director
Fridays
Mountainside
Echo Lake Park: fun starts at 7:30 pm, movies start at dusk
- August 19: Cars the Movie and a Classic Car Show
Bridgewater
Duke Island Park, One York Road, 8:30 pm
- July 15: Gulliver's Travels
- July 22: Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Trader
- July 29: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Maplewood
Memorial Park Amphitheater, 8:30pm
- July 22: E.T.—The Extra Terrestrial
- August 26: Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory (1971 version)
Montclair
Cinema Montclairismo on Church Street, 8:30 pm, files start at 9 pm
- July 29: Back to the Future
And a few more…
Shore Flicks is showing more than 60 movies around Monmouth County 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.
And if you're looking for free indoor movies…
Clearview Cinemas (through August 31) offers free screenings on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 am. Locations include South Orange, Wayne, and Clifton; see all locations at their full schedule.
National Amusements also offers free screenings (through August 10)—but kids will need to bring a book report to “Bookworm Wednesdays” at 10 am. Full schedule and details online. New Jersey locations include Edgewater and East Windsor.
My kids are big fans of Tangled, so I'm sure we'll see it at least once this summer. What movie is on your must-see list? Comment below!
