‘Movies Under the Stars’ is Here! NYC Parks and the NY Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Announce 2026 Schedule, with 300 Free Outdoor Screenings In Parks Throughout the Five Boroughs from Spring-Fall

NYC Parks and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) are proud to announce the 2026 schedule for the beloved ‘Movies Under the Stars’ series, which brings over 300 free screenings to parks across all five boroughs from spring through fall. Throughout the season, parks in all five boroughs will host family-friendly classics and new favorites, including Wicked & Wicked for Good, Encanto, Lilo & Stitch, Dirty Dancing, and more! Additional screenings will feature documentaries, independent films, and shorts highlighting New York City’s diverse communities. Information on screenings can be found on the NYC Parks website.

“This summer, parks in every borough will transform into open-air movie theaters where New Yorkers can rediscover classics, experience new favorites, and spend time together—all for free,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Movies have a special way of bringing people together. They give us a chance to laugh, unwind, and connect with our neighbors. That’s why we’re expanding Movies Under the Stars to more parks and playgrounds across New York City this summer, so every New Yorker has the opportunity to enjoy a great film close to home.”

“A night at the movies doesn’t have to cost blockbuster prices. This summer, through Movies Under the Stars we’re once again transforming parks into cinemas where New Yorkers of all ages can come together and enjoy free entertainment under the open sky,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “From family favorites and beloved classics to independent films and student showcases, this cherished summer tradition brings culture, connection, and unforgettable experiences to neighborhoods across all five boroughs.”

“The 'Movies Under the Stars' program is one way our office is making the magic of film available to all New Yorkers, to be experienced in a truly memorable way, under the stars of NYC," said Commissioner Rafael Espinal of the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. "At a time when many New Yorkers are feeling the affordability crisis, we're presenting a free and joyful way to gather with families and communities across the five boroughs and get lost in the power of film." 

NYC Parks and MOME have partnered to present this program for over a decade. New this year, MOME has expanded the series to new locations, welcoming New Yorkers to enjoy movies in even more neighborhood parks, playgrounds and open spaces citywide, including:

Brooklyn:  
Commodore Barry Park 
Seth Low Playground/ Bealin Square 
Kaiser Park Baseball Field 
Rappaport Playground 

Queens:  
Equity Playground 
Sobelsohn Playground 
Torsney Playground 
Athens Square 

Manhattan:  
Twenty-Four Sycamores Park 
Mathews-Palmer Playground 
St. Vartan Park 
Andrew Haswell Green Park 

Bronx:  
Spuyten Duyvil Playground 
St. James Park 
Allerton Playground 
Matthews Muliner Playground 

Staten Island:  
Naples Playground 
Seaside Wildlife Nature Park 
Wolfe's Pond Park 
Detective Russel Timoshenko Soccer Field 

Throughout this program, New Yorkers are invited to grab a blanket, pack their favorite snacks, and get ready for a movie night under the open sky. With free screenings in parks across all five boroughs, audiences of all ages can enjoy films in their own neighborhoods, beginning at dusk. The program will also include student films from the 8th Annual NYC Public School Film Festival at Manhattan, Washington Square Park on Friday, June 12th and Brooklyn, Sunset Park on Saturday, June 13th. This year’s Movies Under the Stars program will also include a soccer series celebrating the FIFA World Cup, featuring popular soccer films screened throughout the five boroughs. 

Information on screenings can be found on the NYC Parks website.