16 Outdoor Movies and Drive-ins in the NYC Area
The absence of traditional movie theaters this summer is bringing back an old trend: drive ins and outdoor movies in NYC.
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- Moonstruck on Thursday, Oct. 15
- Ammonite on Friday, Oct. 16
- Black Panther on Sunday, Oct. 18
- Hitchock Double Feature on Saturday, Oct. 24
- Coco on Sunday, Nov. 1
- The Nightmare Before Christmas on Sunday, Nov. 15
Outdoor Movies on Long Island
The Town of North Hempstead, Port Washington and New Hyde Park
Throughout the summer, screenings will take place on Saturdays and Sunday evenings at parks in Port Washington and New Hyde Park, where social distancing protocols will be enforced. There won’t be any food for sale, but residents are encouraged to bring their own snacks, and there will be public restrooms available. Registration for the screenings is required.
MOVIE LOT at the Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove
On Friday and Saturday before 7:15pm shows, ticketholders can proceed in their cars down a row of sponsored tens and collect treats along the way in Trick-or-Treat Alley sponsored by the Ronald McDonalds House. Upcoming screenings include:
- Friday, Oct. 23 - Ghostbusters (meet and greet with LI Ghostbusters troop pre-screening)
- Friday, Oct. 23 - Beetlejuice
- Saturday, Oct. 24 - Monsters Inc.
- Saturday, Oct. 24 - Hocus Pocus
- Saturday, Oct. 24 - The Ring
Nightmare at the Movies!, Farmingdale
Watch a festive fall movie and enjoy dinner from the comfort and safety of your own car. Social distancing will be practiced even with the cars. All cars must purchase a dine-in package online in advance Tickets will not be available at the park. 7pm Family Friendly movie. 10pm Adult Audiences. $40 per person. $125 per 4 person car load. Includes $10 Adventureland Arcade card, chicken fingers, french fries, popcorn, bottled water or coke. Additional items will be available to purchase on site.
The Gateway, Bellport
This drive-in movie series is projected on one of the largest screens on Long Island. Movies are shown six nights a week. Movies all begin at 9pm and it is $35 per car. The movie audio is available through FM radio.
- Friday, Oct. 16, 9:30pm: The Evil Dead
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 7pm: Monster House
- Saturday, Oct. 17: Cabin in the Woods
- Sunday, Oct. 18: Scary Movie
- Thursday, Oct. 22: Alien
- Friday, Oct. 23: Ghostbusters
- Friday, Oct. 23: Saw
- Saturday, Oct. 24: The Goonies
- Saturday, Oct. 24: A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Sunday, Oct. 25: The Blair Witch Project
- Thursday, OCt. 29: Nightmare Before Christmas
- Friday, Oct. 30: Hotel Transylvania
- Friday, Oct. 30: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Frankenweenie
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Halloween
RELATED: Chelsea Market Opens with Outdoor Dining and Shopping
Outdoor Movies in New Jersey
The Delsea Drive, Delsea
This popular drive-in was once the only one in New Jersey.
Demarest Farms, Demarest
This market in Bergen County is showing movies every Wednesday through Saturday night. Concessions will be sold from a stand.
- Sunday, Oct. 18: Casper
- Thursday, Oct. 22: Nightmare on Elm Street
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Poltergeist
- Sunday, Oct. 25: Halloweentown
- Wednesday, Oct. 28: The Silence of hte Lambs
- Thursday, Oct. 29: The Ring
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Halloween
Boxcar Movie Theater, Various locations
This outdoor movie theater also just opened with screens in Franklin Lakes, Montville, Madison, Boonton Township, and Bernardsville and is partnering with local restaurants to provide car-side delivery of dinner specials and snacks.
Ramsey Theatre, Ramsey
Ramsey Theatre's drive in movies are located at the Eric S. Smith School. Upcoming screenings include:
- Friday, Oct. 16: Jumanji
- Saturday, Oct. 17: Trolls World Tour
- Friday, Oct. 23: The Addams Family Halloween
- Saturday, Oct. 24: Hotel Transylvania
- Friday, Oct. 31: Coco
Outdoor Movies in Upstate New York
Warwick Drive-In, Warwick
This upstate staple now has several screens—along with some new restrictions. Masks are required when out of the car and the snack bar only sells pre-packaged food. The New York Times wrote about its packed opening night when despite the rainstorm, attendees were thrilled to be out of their homes and saw hope for a return to normalcy.
The Four Brothers Drive-In, Amenia
Four Brothers Pizza has their own drive-in theater which now shows new releases, throwback classes and a few indie films every day of the week. “We bring people together in a responsible way where they can enjoy themselves in dim times,” says the owner John Stephanapolous. Covid19 restrictions will be observed but movie-goers will be able to order the restaurant’s pizza and Greek specials from their cars.
- Oct. 10 - Pretty in Pink, Coco
- Oct. 15 - Schindler's List, Coco
- Oct. 16 - Scream, Hotel Translyvania 3
- Oct. 17 - Scream, Hotel Translyvania 3
- Oct 22 - Scary Movie, Hotel Translyvania 3
- Oct. 23 - Connected, The Addams Family
- Oct. 24 - The Addams Family (1991)
- Oct. 24 - Connected
- Oct. 29 - The Addams Family
- Oct. 29 - Halloween
- Oct. 30 - Beetlejuice
- Oct. 30 - Connected
- Oct. 31 - Beetlejuice
- Oct. 31 - Connected
For more showtimes visit the Four Brothers website.
Main image courtesy Skyline Drive-In NYC
