Free Outdoor Movies in Brooklyn Bridge Park DUMBO

The Skinny on Movies With a View

By Ellen Freudenheim

Updated 06/05/18

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 2018 series kicks off on July 12th and ends on August 30th. This year the first flick, on July 12th, is the ultimate NYC 80s classic, Desperately Seeking Susan, starring Madonna. The following Thursday, the 19th is the kid-friendly favorite Kung Fu Panda 2.

Other highlights this season include, Paris is Burning, Bend it Like Beckham, Wayne's World, and many others. 

You can bring a picnic to the park, but if you don't to lug food, you can get some great grub at the movies. This summer, the Smorgasburg is setting up an outpost at this popular weekly event. Want enjoy some excellent food from the Smorgasburg while watching a great flick? Vendors include Burger Supreme, Musser's Famous Crab Cake Sandwiches, Home Frite, Wood Fired Edibles, and Bona Bona Ice Cream. Bring a blanket and watch a movie on the lawn as you enjoy these tasty eats. 

If you're more a fan poetry rather than film, you should head to Brooklyn Bridge Park on Sunday, June 9th  from 4 - 6 pm to attend the annual 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