If you find your kids, or yourself, stuck inside in front of your little screens, we have a solution for you—get outside in front of a big screen. No matter where you are in the Baltimore area this summer, there is always an outdoor movie nearby. Here, we round up places to catch fresh-air flicks in the coming weeks:
BALTIMORE CITY
AVAM’s Flicks from the Hill: On Thursdays throughout July (and the first Thursday in August), the American Visionary Art Museum is once again hosting its annual outdoor movie series at its Hughes Family Outdoor Theater. Join in on opening night, July 11, for Field of Dreams, then catch Disney’s The Princess and the Frog, as well as Young Frankenstein and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Viewers also get free museum admission from 5-9 p.m., so be sure to do a walkthrough before setting up your blanket on the Federal Hill Park hill facing the museum. Every Thursday in July and August 1. Free.
Rhythm & Reels: This summer, and through October, the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks is rotating around the city’s many public spaces to bring the community films of all kinds. You can catch flicks like Wonka at Druid Hill Park on July 6, Dog Gone at Eager Park on July 19, and Barbie at Leakin Park on August 8. The seasonal celebration will culminate with a double feature of Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 at Medfield Recreation Center on October 25. Come early for free popcorn while it lasts. Locations and times vary. June to October. Free.
Outdoor Movie Nights at Baltimore Peninsula: South Baltimore’s waterfront locale is bringing back its outdoor film series with monthly showings like Green Book on July 12, Chef on August 9, a double feature of Cars and Ford v. Ferrari on September 13, and a double feature of Barbie and Mean Girls on October 11. Organized in partnership with Charm City Table‘s Simone Phillips, the event will feature eats for sale by visiting vendors. Pack a blanket or lawn chair and head to the big screen adjacent to Rye Street Tavern. 301 E. Cromwell St. 6 p.m. Free.
Summer Saturday Family Flicks at the Rotunda: As its name signifies, the Rotunda in Hampden is showing a lineup of films for the entire family on the third Saturdays of June, July, and August. Bring the kiddos to the center of the mixed-use development to enjoy films like The Super Mario Brothers Movie in July and Trolls World Tour in August. 711 W. 40th St. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. Free.
BALTIMORE COUNTY
Bengies Drive-In: With frequent double features, this famous film fixture—known for having one of the largest outdoor screens in the country—offers quantity and quality. Concession stands and sweet treats await every date night and family outing. A minimum of two people must be in the car. 3417 Eastern Blvd. Middle River. Times vary. Weekend showings: $12.50 per person, $7.00 ages 4-10.
CARROLL COUNTY
Outdoor Summer Movies in Westminster: Starting June 25 until Aug. 6, join the Carroll County Arts Council for its Outdoor Summer Family Movie Series. Films roll every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at Carroll Community College. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy adventures like Up on July 9, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem on July 16, Anastasia on July 23, and Holes on July 30. 1601 Washington Road. Westminster. Free
HARFORD COUNTY
Summer Movie Nights in Bel Air: Consider yourself lucky, because the Bel Air Downtown Alliance is showing summer movies at Shamrock Park every third Friday from June to August. This season, watch picks like the 2023 live-action Little Mermaid on July 19 and Trolls Band Together on August 16. The movies start at 7:15 p.m., and food trucks will be present for all of your concession needs. Every third Friday starting June 21. Shamrock Park- Lee Street. 7:15-9:30 p.m. Free
HOWARD COUNTY
Movie Nights at the Wine Bin: This Ellicott City liquor store has a lot more to offer than its namesake bottles of vino. Along with its craft beers, cocktail kits, and charcuterie selection, the shop provides a great variety of outdoor movies in its parking lot on Saturday nights throughout the summer. The Wine Bin staff has once again curated a jam-packed lineup of classics such as Casablanca, Finding Nemo, Dirty Dancing, and When Harry Met Sally. This year, all popcorn proceeds will benefit Ellicott City advocacy program Voices for Children. Times vary. Free.
Merriweather Movie Night: Although Merriweather is known for its spectacular concerts, it’s a great film venue, too. Guests are invited to enjoy a viewing of The Little Mermaid (2023) on Wednesday, July 24. Movie-goers are welcome to post up under the pavilion or lay out on the lawn under the stars. Just don’t forget a blanket or chair to buffer the grass. Free with required registration on Eventbrite.
Lakefront Live: The Columbia Association is back with another year of Lakefront Live, a series of music, food, and, of course, outdoor movies overlooking Lake Kittamaqundi. The well-rounded lineup this season includes flicks like The Color Purple
(2023), The Nightmare Before Christmas, King Arthur, Toy Story, Soul, and Ghostbusters. The BYOC (bring your own chair) movie showings are typically on Mondays and Fridays. Mondays and Fridays. Movies start at dusk (around 8:30 p.m. in early summer and 8-8:15 p.m. in late summer. Free.
