Nothing says summer in New York City like the annual extravaganza that turns parks into outdoor movie theaters.
“Movies Under the Stars” has been lighting up neighborhood parks for more than a decade, since former Mayor Bill de Blasio expanded the program into underserved areas of New York City. This year, get into the World Cup spirit with a soccer-themed film series or catch recent releases such as “Wicked: For Good.”
Bring a blanket and snacks to lean into nostalgia with classics such as “The Goonies,” sing along to “Hamilton,” or catch family-friendly films starring animals on big adventures.
Movie descriptions were adapted and edited from listings provided by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation.
For World Cup spirit
The extraordinary story of the 1971 Women’s World Cup in Mexico City, where more than 100,000 fans packed the stands for a tournament that history nearly forgot.
QUEENS
- July 16 — Forest Park (Sobelsohn Playground), Woodhaven, 8:30 p.m.
Pelé: Birth of a Legend (2016)
This biopic follows Brazilian soccer phenom Edson Arantes do Nascimento, aka Pelé, from his childhood in poverty to his rise as a World Cup icon.
MANHATTAN
- July 1 — James J. Walker Park (Bocce Courts), West Village, 8:30 p.m.
QUEENS
- July 14 — Travers Park (Plaza), Jackson Heights, 8:30 p.m.
The first authorized documentary about Cristiano Ronaldo offers an inside look at one of soccer’s biggest stars.
BROOKLYN
- June 11 — Bush Terminal Park, Sunset Park, 8:30 p.m.
STATEN ISLAND
- June 30 — Greenbelt Recreation Center (Lower Parking Lot), Greenbelt, 8:30 p.m.
THE BRONX
- July 4 — Rev. T. Wendell Foster Park and Recreation Center (South Playground), Morrisania, 8:30 p.m.
MANHATTAN
- July 8 — Thomas Jefferson Park (Soccer Field), East Harlem, 8:30 p.m.
Four friends journey through Latin America on the way to the World Cup in Brazil. This is an exploration of the deep cultural connection people have with the world’s most popular sport.
MANHATTAN
- July 22 — Inwood Hill Park (Dyckman Fields), Inwood, 8:30 p.m.
For dreamers and animal lovers
A small goat with big dreams gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros in “roarball.” Will is determined to prove that “small can ball!” in this high-intensity sport dominated by the fastest animals in the world.
THE BRONX
- June 11 — Evelina Antonetty Playground (Athletic Field), Longwood, 8:30 p.m.
- June 12 — Colucci Playground (Play Area), Pelham Bay, 8:30 p.m.
- June 24 — Watson Gleason Playground (Basketball Courts), Soundview, 8:30 p.m.
BROOKLYN
- June 28 — Seth Low Playground/Bealin Square, Brownsville, 8:30 p.m.
On their way to visit Aunt Lucy in Peru, a mystery sends Paddington and the Brown family through the Amazon rainforest and the mountains of the beloved bear’s homeland.
QUEENS
- June 20 — Astoria Heights Playground (Multipurpose Hard Top Area), East Elmhurst, 9 p.m.
Animal lover Mabel uses groundbreaking technology to transfer, or “hop,” human consciousness into robotic animals. Can communicating with beavers help her uncover mysteries within the animal world?
BROOKLYN
- June 25 — Bensonhurst Park (Lawn Area), Bensonhurst, 8:30 p.m.
THE BRONX
- June 25 — Washington’s Walk (Play Area), Soundview, 8:30 p.m.
- July 11 — Melrose Playground, Melrose, 8:30 p.m.
STATEN ISLAND
- June 20 — Lemon Creek Park, Prince’s Bay, 9 p.m.
After three death-defying adventures, Po the Dragon Warrior is called upon by destiny to embrace his next challenge: rest. But to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace, he must quickly find and train a new dragon warrior.
MANHATTAN
- June 25 — McKinley Playground (Play Area), Washington Heights, 8 p.m.
Rabbit cop Judy Hopps and fox partner Nick Wilde reunite to crack their most perilous case yet. After venomous pit viper Gary De’Snake arrives in Zootropolis and turns the animal metropolis upside down, they must go undercover and test their friendship as they venture into new parts of town.
BROOKLYN
- June 25 — Marine Park (Lawn at Fillmore Avenue and Madison Place), Marine Park, 8:30 p.m.
MANHATTAN
- July 10 — Peter’s Field, Stuyvesant Town–Kips Bay, 8:30 p.m.
QUEENS
- June 6 — Yellowstone Park (Katzman Playground), Forest Hills, 8:30 p.m.
- June 6 — Dutch Kills Playground (Hard Top Multipurpose Field), Long Island City, 8:30 p.m.
- June 13 — Playground Ninety (Basketball Courts), Richmond Hill, 8:30 p.m.
THE BRONX
- June 6 — Mosholu Parkway (Play Area), Bedford Park, 8:30 p.m.
- June 30 — Vinmont Veteran Park (Sid Augarten Field), Throgs Neck, 8:30 p.m.
- July 17 — Pelham and Split Rock Golf Course, Pelham Bay Park, 8:30 p.m.
Rafiki recounts the legend of Mufasa to young Kiara, Simba’s daughter. This is the origin story of how Simba’s father rose from orphaned cub to ruler of the Pride Lands.
BROOKLYN
- June 6 — Lincoln Terrace/Arthur S. Somers Park (Rochester Avenue and President Street), Crown Heights, 8:30 p.m.
The second installment of the hit film “Wicked” continues the story behind “The Wizard of Oz.” The film follows Elphaba, aka the Wicked Witch of the West, and her complex friendship with Glinda, aka Glinda the Good.
QUEENS
- June 4 — Travers Park (Entrance, 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th Streets), Jackson Heights, 8:30 p.m.
- June 20 — Hunter’s Point South Park (Entrance, Center Boulevard and Borden Avenue), Long Island City, 9 p.m.
For the love of classics
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s record-breaking musical reimagines the life of founding father Alexander Hamilton through hip-hop, R&B and Broadway hits.
QUEENS
- June 12 — Murray Playground (Turf Field), Flushing, 8:30 p.m.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The pizza-loving heroes in a half shell return in this fan-favorite adventure. Join Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo as they put their skills to the test across New York City. When a horde of sinister mutants begins to wreak havoc, the city must rely on the turtle brothers to save the day.
STATEN ISLAND
- June 6 — Midland Field (Ballfields), New Dorp, 8:30 p.m.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
One charismatic high school senior turns a day of playing hooky into an unforgettable adventure packed with laughs, mischief and life lessons.
QUEENS
- June 13 — Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk (Beach 94th Street Amphitheater), Rockaway Beach, 8:30 p.m.
Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones star as agents tasked with monitoring extraterrestrial activity on Earth in this sci-fi comedy hit.
THE BRONX
- June 13 — Seton Park (Main Entrance), Riverdale, 8:30 p.m.
An eccentric scientist’s time machine accidentally transports high schooler Marty McFly back to 1955. He must protect his own future, including the budding romance between his future parents, before heading back home — or else risk changing history.
QUEENS
- June 18 — Walter Ward Playground (P.S. 207), Howard Beach, 9 p.m.
A group of children from the other Astoria — Oregon — embark on a treasure hunt after discovering an old map. Their adventure is filled with booby traps, hidden secrets and unexpected obstacles.
THE BRONX
- July 9 — Evelina Antonetty Playground (Athletic Field), Longwood, 8:30 p.m.
In this film starring Robin Williams, two children discover a mysterious board game and encounter a man who has been trapped inside it since he played it at age 12. His only hope for freedom is to finish the dangerous game and survive its wild adventures.
THE BRONX
- June 20 — Ewen Park (West 231st Street and Riverdale Avenue entrance), Kingsbridge, 8:30 p.m.
Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal star as best friends in this rom-com blockbuster set in New York City.
BROOKLYN
- July 31 — Asser Levy Park Play Area, Brighton Beach, 8:30 p.m.
