Free Outdoor Movies in Brooklyn Bridge Park DUMBO

The Skinny on Movies With a View

By Ellen Freudenheim

Updated 05/16/17

••• View of the Statue of Liberty at dusk from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Photo by Ellen Freudenheim

If you want a ticket to one of the most scenic free film festivals in New York City, you should head to Movies With A View on Thursdays from July through August at Brooklyn Bridge Park. This well curated film series has been entertaining New Yorkers since 2000. With views of lower Manhattan, you might have a hard time concentrating on the films. But seriously, the line up is fantastic, and although the backdrop of NYC and the Brooklyn Bridge are both intoxicating, you will definitely enjoy the films that are screening this summer.

 

The 2016 series kicks off on July 7th and ends on August 25th. This year the first flick, on July 7th, is the ultimate classic, Singing in the Rain. Take the kids to this family friendly fun musical. The following Thursday, the 14th is suited for more mature audiences, with a screening of Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. 

Other highlights this season include, Purple Rain, Selma, American Graffiti and many others. 

There are vendors selling popcorn and soda, but it's an ideal place to enjoy a picnic. Pack a dinner and drinks and have a leisurely meal before the film. If you need to pick up some good eats for the picnic, stop by Peas & Pickles, a local market that has all of the staples for a perfect picnic. If you're too lazy to do any food prep, consider ordering takeout from The Shake Shack located across from the Fulton Ferry Landing.

In addition to Movies with a View, there are other films screened at Brooklyn Bridge Park this summer, including the BAMcinemaFest screening of KIKI directed by Sara Jordan, a "kaleidoscopic profile of New York City’s contemporary voguing scene, Swedish filmmaker Jordenö and queer community leader Twiggy Pucci Garçon join forces to showcase vogue’s unabated vitality as a dance form," which will take place on Thursday June 23rd at 8pm.

There will be a selection of curated food at this event.

If you're more a fan poetry rather than film, you should head to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sunday, June 25 from 4 - 6 pm to attend the Walt Whitman Song of Myself Marathon, where readers will read from the classic poem.  If you'd like to read, please email songofmyselfmarathon@gmail.com with your favorite three sections of “Song of Myself” (using the 1891-‘92 edition’s breakdown of 52 sections).

 They ask readers, to arrive no later than 3:30 pm. The reading starts with poet Martín Espada, and listen to various people read from this beautiful text. Like the film series, this event is free and open to all.

Check out the Brooklyn Bridge Park schedule for summer long events or just stop by for a swim in their pop up pool or enjoy an afternoon roller skating on the pier, but if you want to see the flicks--Here's the skinny on all the info you'll need to have a fantastic time at this annual film series:

Summer in New York, New York!  This is one of the hottest free tickets for films in Brooklyn! And, it's great summer entertainment. Free movies are shown every Thursday evening, from mid July to late August.   To get a seat, go early, as there's limited seating on the lawn Usually the last film of the season is decided by popular vote (no corporate contributions!).

When: DJs at 6:00pm, Movies at sundown

Things to Know

Practical tips:

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Edited by Alison Lowenstein