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Watching a movie under the stars is a quintessential part of summer in Philadelphia and The Countryside.
Here in Greater Philadelphia, residents and visitors alike can catch a wide range of outdoor film screenings in scenic parks, amphitheaters, green rooftops and other venues throughout the region.
Gather your family and friends, grab a favorite blanket, pack a picnic — or just a bag of popcorn — and choose from a plethora of hits (most family-friendly and many animated).
Wicked, Inside Out 2, Mufasa and Moana 2 are lighting up screens all summer long, but don’t sleep on the classics. Keep an eye out for throwback favorites like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Annie and The Goonies making special outdoor appearances this summer.
Most screenings begin at dusk, with start times varied depending on sunset times.
Bonus: Almost all of the outdoor movies included in this roundup are completely free, and several offer free snacks.
An important note: Details — including screening dates — can change at any time, especially due to inclement weather. Always check ahead with event organizers and/or on official event sites and social media to confirm event dates and times.
Read on for our guide to the top outdoor movie screenings in Philadelphia in 2025.
Through July 26, 2025 (select dates)
West Philly’s Sunset Social hosts summer evening Wednesday Movie Nights and weekend family-friendly Saturday Movie Matinees on a giant 60-foot screen perched on the lawn of awe-inspiring rooftop space Cira Green, overlooking University City and the Philly skyline from 12 stories above. Burgers, tenders, sandwiches and ice cream — plus beer, wine, frozen cocktails and more — are available from the rooftop bar café. Dogs are welcome, and the movies — as well as the jaw-dropping views — are free.
Where: Sunset Social, 129 S. 30th Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, August 15, 2025 (select dates)
Presented by the Philadelphia Film Society in partnership with local community groups and organizations like EMIR Healing Center and Deeply Rooted, Movies on the Block offers free film screenings in neighborhoods around the city. Paired with activities, performances, education and more, each event creates space for conversation and engagement through carefully curated themes and films. Get there early: The pre-show fun starts at 6:30 p.m. and the movies begin between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Where: Carroll Park, 1299 N. 59th Street, Philadelphia, PA
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Lighthouse Sport Complex, 101 E. Erie Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Belfield Recreation Center, 2109 W. Chew Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Universal Daroff Charter School, 5630 Vine Street, Philadelphia, PA
Houston Playground, 900 Grakyn Lane, Philadelphia, PA
Through Thursday, August 21, 2025 (select dates)
Enjoy movies with city vistas right on the banks of the Schuylkill River during select Thursday Movie Nights this summer. The free screenings are held at two alternating spots along the river and begin at sunset, so prepare to have blankets and chairs ready to go between 8 and 8:30 p.m.
Where: Schuylkill Banks north of the Walnut Street Bridge, Philadelphia, PA
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Grays Ferry Crescent Esplanade, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, August 29, 2025 (select dates)
Grab your blankets and set out in the garden for a spell. Bartram’s Garden — America’s oldest botanical garden and a National Historic Landmark — hosts several special screenings of family-favorite films this summer. The movie starts at sunset, but come out early for pre-show nature-themed activities, stilt-walking and more.
Where: Bartram's Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, September 5, 2025 (select dates)
Laurel Hill returns with its annual summertime outdoor cinema series presented by the Friends of Laurel Hill and the Philadelphia Film Society. Spooky-loving moviegoers are encouraged to spread out for an evening under the stars and among the tombs. Come early: Movie-inspired pre-screening festivities start at 7 p.m. and include a pop-up market featuring local artisans, food and beverage vendors, activities, and more. Movie tickets are $20 for general admission (with discounts available for seniors, students, kids, members and ACCESS cardholders).
Where: Laurel Hill East, 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, September 12, 2025 (select dates)
On Fridays throughout the summer, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway’s seasonal urban oasis features family-friendly Movie Nights at The Oval. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs, chill out across the street from the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Rocky Steps, and catch a big-screen film for free. The movies start at 8:15 p.m., and food trucks, the Libertee Grounds beer garden and other vendors will be available during the showings.
Where: The Oval, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA
Enjoy free outdoor movies under the stars at Liberty Lands, the beloved community greenspace in Northern Liberties. Hosted by the Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, these BYO-blanket-or-chair movie nights begin at 8 p.m. on select summer Fridays.
Where: Liberty Lands, 913 N. 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, September 19, 2025 (select dates)
Experience movie magic set against the iconic background of Independence National Historic Park. The Movies on the Mall series offers family-friendly historical flicks under the stars — free and open to the public. Starting at 5:30 p.m., kids can step back in time with 18th-century games, scavenger hunts, and arts and crafts before the films play at dusk. Talk about a picture-perfect evening of history and fun.
Where: Independence Mall, 599 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
Through Friday, October 24, 2025 (select dates)
Film screens are popping up at public parks across the city for the free summer Movies in Philly’s Parks series. Featuring a fun mix of timeless family favorites and more recent classics-in-the-making, this special program is hosted by Park Friends Groups in partnership with Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and Fairmount Park Conservancy and invites you to visit more than 30 different city green spaces from South Philly to the Northeast this summer and fall.
Where: Various locations including Harrowgate Park, 3455 Kensington Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
August 1-22, 2025 (select dates)
Clark Park in West Philly hosts Friday night Movies in Clark Park sundown screenings for the 10th year this August. To celebrate, each film on the lineup is marking a major anniversary in 2025. Bring chairs and picnic blankets, and enjoy the magic of the big screen with these fantastic, fun films. Note that movies are shown with open captioning.
Where: Clark Park, 4300-4398 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
Through Wednesday, August 6, 2025 (select dates)
Part of a summer of free entertainment, the Greater Plymouth Community Center hosts Performances in the Park evening movie screenings at Plymouth Meeting’s Park Amphitheater (when the venue isn’t bumping with live music). A DJ gets the crowd going at 7:30 p.m. and movies start at dusk. Guests can purchase popcorn, candy, drinks and Kona Ice treats to enjoy during the shows.
Where: Greater Plymouth Community Center, 2910 Jolly Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA
Through Friday, August 8, 2025 (select dates)
Bring your blankets or chairs to the Debarth Amphitheater in Parkside Place Park as Upper Gwynedd Township presents Movies in the Park, screening light-hearted movies that the entire family can enjoy. Showtimes begin at dusk, and the July 25 film night is part of the Township’s overnight Night Sky Camp Out event.
Where: Debarth Amphitheater, Parkside Place Park, 1 Parkside Place, North Wales, PA
Through Monday, August 11, 2025 (select dates)
The vibe at Eagleview Town Center’s Movie Nights in Exton? Bring “whatever makes you comfortable!” Break out your favorite lawn chair or picnic blanket and stock up on snacks (there are plenty to choose from at the Town Center) for this season’s evening showings of these fun, musical films. Shows begin at 7 p.m.
Where: Eagleview Town Center, 565 Wellington Square, Exton, PA
Through Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (select dates)
The community of Whitemarsh Township celebrates summer in a big way with free outdoor Movies in the Parks nights at three of their beautiful parks in Lafayette Hill and nearby Conshohocken. Each evening kicks off with karate demos before the movie begins at dusk (with rain dates the following night). Bring your own chairs, blankets and favorite snacks. Or, grab some tasty treats available for purchase.
Where: Miles Park, 303 Germantown Pike, Philadelphia, PA
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Cedar Grove Park, 100 Cedar Grove Road, Conshohocken, PA
Leeland Park, 1216 Jones Street, Conshohocken, PA
Through Saturday, October 11, 2025 (select dates)
In addition to a charming main street, the Chester County borough of Oxford boasts a summer full of family events, including Third Fridays Movies nights in Oxford Memorial Park. Bring a blanket, chair, bug spray and snacks every third Friday for 8:30 p.m. showings (including previews!).
Where: Oxford Memorial Park, S. 3rd Street, Oxford, PA
July 11 – October 4, 2025 (select dates)
Drive-ins are out, blankets and chairs are in at Media Outdoor Movie Night in Delco. All ages are welcome to stretch out at the Media Community Center Lawn for free movie screenings beginning at dusk on select Saturday evenings this summer. Enjoy free popcorn with candy and soda available for purchase. Don’t forget to pack a blanket, chair and bug spray.
Where: Media Community Center, 301 N. Jackson Street, Media, PA
July 17– October 16, 2025 (select dates)
Bring your own chair or blanket for the Thursday-night Movies at the Mercer Museum film series. Catch these family-friendly classics against the backdrop of a real-life castle at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown. Tickets are $12 for general admission (discounts for members and kids), and you can even advance-purchase a box of popcorn with your ticket for another $5.
Where: Mercer Museum, 84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA
August 5-19, 2025 (select dates)
When dusk falls at Wentz Run Park in Blue Bell, the fun is just beginning. As part of its free summer entertainment schedule, the park hosts Movies @ Wentz Run Park nights at the gazebo. Visitors are encouraged to arrive with enough time to find a good spot for their chair, blanket and snacks of choice.
Where: Wentz Run Park, 1000 Anvil Lane, Blue Bell, PA
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