Watch movies under the stars this summer without having to go as far as D.C. or Maryland.
By Juliane Kim
Photo courtesy of alexandre zveiger/Adobe Stock
With the cancellation of Screen on the Green in D.C., many Northern Virginians may be at a loss as to where they should go to watch outdoor movies this summer. Fortunately, there are tons of screenings happening right here in NoVA this summer—and most of them offer free admission. Some are family-friendly while others are more suited to moviegoers 21 years and older, but there’s undoubtedly an event for film buffs of every kind.
Alexandria City
Cinema Del Ray at Mount Vernon Rec Center Fields
2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria
Movie Schedule
June 18: Peanuts
July 16: Toy Story
Aug. 20: Aladdin
Sept. 17: Kung Fu Panda 3
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Concessions will be available at the event. Guests can bring their own food, blankets, chairs and drinks, but no alcohol or pets are allowed.
Four Mile Summer Movie Series
1409 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria
Movie Schedule
June 24: The Goonies
July 29: Back to the Future
Aug 26: Zootopia
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Food will be available at restaurants surrounding the plaza, but picnics and outside food are also allowed on the premises. Guests may also bring coolers with drinks of their choice. It’s highly encouraged that guests bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Arlington County
Movie Nights at Penrose Square and Arlington Mill
Penrose Square 2501 9th Road South, Arlington
Arlington Mill Community Center 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Movie Schedule
June 11: The Martian (Penrose Square)
June 18: Belle (Penrose Square)
June 25: The Fault in Our Stars (Penrose Square)
July 2: Juno (Penrose Square)
July 9: The Fantastic Four (2015; Penrose Square)
July 16: The Book Thief (Penrose Square)
July 23: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Penrose Square)
July 30: Moulin Rouge (Penrose Square)
Aug. 6: Joy (Penrose Square)
Aug. 11: Kung Fu Panda 3 (Arlington Mill)
Aug. 13: All That Jazz (Penrose Square)
Aug. 18: Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (Arlington Mill)
Aug. 20: The Devil Wears Prada (Penrose Square)
Aug. 25: The Sandlot (Arlington Mill)
Aug. 27: The Princess Bride (Penrose Square)
Sept. 1: The Peanuts Movie (Arlington Mill)
Sept. 3: Spotlight (Penrose Square)
Sept. 8: Brooklyn (Arlington Mill)
Sept. 10: That Sugar Film (Penrose Square)
Sept. 15: He Named Me Malala (Arlington Mill)
Sept. 17: Water (Penrose Square)
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Seating is limited and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Rosslyn Cinema at Gateway Park
1300 Lee Highway, Arlington
Movie Schedule
June 10: Beethoven 2
June 17: Eat, Pray, Love
June 24: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
July 1: Coming to America
July 8: Dirty Dancing
July 15: Finding Nemo
July 22: Casablanca
July 29: Top Gun
Aug. 5: Up
Aug. 12: Roman Holiday
Aug. 19: Casino Royale
Aug. 26: The Notebook
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Food trucks will sell food and popcorn from 5 p.m. until the film begins, and there will be a mobile bar selling beer and wine. Blankets and low chairs are allowed, and dogs are welcome.
Fairfax County
Lake Anne Summer Film Festival
Lake Anne Plaza Waterfront, 1609 Washington Plaza, Reston
Movie Schedule
July 8: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (celebrating its 30th anniversary)
July 22: Toy Story
Aug. 12: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Aug. 26: Lady Sings the Blues
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Movies begin at sundown; the Lake Anne Plaza website will announce estimate start times on the day of movie showings. Lawn chairs and picnics are permitted. Free parking is available.
Mosaic District Films in the Park at Strawberry Park
On the corner of Strawberry Lane and Yates Way, Fairfax
Movie Schedule
June 10: The Goonies
June 17: Back to the Future
July 1: Field of Dreams
July 8: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
July 15: Babe
July 22: Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
July 29: The Princess and the Frog
Aug. 5: Cool Runnings
Aug. 12: Aladdin
Aug. 19: A League of Their Own
Aug. 26: Karate Kid
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks, blankets and lawn chairs.
Movie Nights at Town Green & South Riding Center
25161 Riding Center Drive, Chantilly
Movie Schedule
July 5: Shaun the Sheep
July 12: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
July 19: Inside Out
July 26: Cinderella (2015)
Aug. 2: The Good Dinosaur
Aug. 9:Minions
Aug. 16: Norm of the North
Admission: Free
Need to Know: No alcohol allowed. Guests should bring blankets and chairs.
Starlight Cinema at Trinity Center
5860 Trinity Parkway, Centreville
Movie Schedule
Aug. 6: Minions
Aug. 13: Inside Out
Aug. 20: The Good Dinosaur
Aug. 27: Home
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Food will be available at the event, but guests can bring their own picnics as well as blankets and chairs.
Loudoun County
Movies Under the Stars at Village Green
Just off of Russel Branch Parkway, Leesburg
Movie Schedule
June 15: Hotel Transylvania
June 29: Despicable Me
July 13: Hook
July 27: Frozen
Aug. 10: Finding Nemo
Aug. 24: Inside Out
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Food won’t be sold at the event, but guests are encouraged to bring picnics, blankets and lawn chairs.
Manassas City
Movies on the Lawn at NOVA Community College Manassas Campus
6901 Sudley Road, Manassas
Movie Schedule
June. 10: Race
June. 24: The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
July. 9: Field of Dreams
July. 23: Zootopia
Aug. 6: Jurassic World
Aug. 20: Minions
Sept. 24: Finding Nemo
Admission: $3 per adult, free for children under 2 years old and NoVA students and staff with ID
Need to Know: There will be concessions and popcorn at the event, and both lawn and theater seating will be available. Guests should bring their own blankets and chairs to sit on the grass. Alcohol and pets aren’t allowed.
Prince William County
Chaplin, Lloyd, and Keaton Movie Night at Rippon Lodge Historic Site
15500 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge
Movie Schedule
June 25 (triple screening):
The Champion
High and Dizzy
One Week
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Popcorn and beverages will be available at the event for purchase. Alcohol such as beer and wine is allowed, but hard liquor is prohibited. Bottles must be cleaned up after the event. Guests are encouraged to bring their own picnics, blankets and chairs. Pets are allowed but must be leashed, monitored and picked up after.
Spotsylvania County
Spotsylvania Movie Night at Robert E. Lee Elementary School
7415 Brock Road, Spotsylvania
Movie Schedule
June 17: Minions
Admission: Free
Need to Know: Food vendors will be on site, and guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets. Alcohol, glass containers, tobacco products and pets aren’t allowed.
Stephens City
Family Drive-In Theatre
5890 Valley Pike, Stephens City
Movie Schedule
July 1: The Legend of Tarzan
July 1: The BFG
July 8: Secret Life of Pets
July 15: Ghostbusters (2016)
July 22: Ice Age: Collision Course
July 22: Star Trek Beyond
Admission: $4-$8
Need to Know: Concessions will be available at the theater, but alcohol is prohibited. Outside food is allowed, but there is a $5 permit per car. Blankets and lawn chairs are only permitted if they are placed in front of the car. The theater is dog-friendly, but pets must be well-behaved, and owners must pick up after them.