Adams Morgan Movie Nights
Northwest DC
On Monday evenings through August 9, bring a blanket to the Marie Reed Recreation Center’s soccer field and catch a movie that was made in DC—as in, filmed here—including two with scenes shot in AdMo. Local restaurants are offering special “brown-bag movie meal” deals. Upcoming flicks: Punk the Capital, In the Line of Fire, All the President’s Men.
Alamo Drafthouse
Ashburn
A pop-up drive-in, expected to re-open in mid-June and run through July 27, will show some of the same new releases playing inside. $35 to $40 a car for up to two people; $12.50 each additional passenger. Upcoming flicks: F9, Black Widow, Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Bengies Drive-In Theatre
Middle River, Maryland
In business since 1956, Bengies has a delightfully retro vibe and shows some current releases—plus double features. $10 per adult. Upcoming flicks: Godzilla vs. Kong, A Quiet Place Part II.
Cinematery
Southeast DC
Enjoy a horror classic amid headstones at Congressional Cemetery. (Think that’s disrespectful? Victorians picnicked in cemeteries to keep the memory of loved ones alive.) The $35 ticket includes a sandwich, sides, dessert, and a nonalcoholic drink. Upcoming flicks: Frankenstein, The Mummy, The Wolf Man.
Columbia Pike Movie Nights
Arlington
The films at this drive-in are shown in English with Spanish subtitles. Registration and a donation to the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization are required. Upcoming flicks: The Farewell, Godzilla, Just Mercy.
DowntownDC Summer Flicks
Northwest DC
Sit at a “swinging table” or on socially distant triangles on the National Building Museum’s west lawn for films every Tuesday through July 27. Enjoy a live original soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones. Free; registration required. Upcoming flicks: Tron: Legacy, Minority Report, Mad Max: Fury Road.
Drive-In at Union Market
Northeast DC
Open to cars and walk-ins, this drive-in’s concessions include night-market noodles from Som Tam, burgers from Lucky Buns, and ice cream by the Creamery. $20 a car. Upcoming flicks: Wonder Woman 1984, Crazy Rich Asians, Cruella.
Evening Star Cafe
Alexandria
The Del Ray eatery shows free movies on Wednesday evenings to patrons eating on its back patio. Possible upcoming flicks: What About Bob?, Men in Black, Independence Day.
Films at the Stone
Southwest DC
This series at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is the only one at a DC monument. Upcoming flicks: Soul, Black Panther.
Library of Congress
Southeast DC
The LOC’s fourth annual Summer Movies on the Lawn film festival will show movies from its National Film Registry, Thursday evenings between July 8 and August 5. Upcoming flicks: The Princess Bride, Shrek, The Sound of Music (audience sing-along).
Moonlight Movies at the Mansion
Gaithersburg
Bring a chair or blanket for a movie on the lawn of Kentlands Mansion; $5 per person. Light concessions will be available. Upcoming flicks: Independence Day, The Sandlot, Rio.
Movies at the Pfitz
Woodbridge
This drive-in at Pfitzner Stadium is showing films through July and August. $35 and up per car; proceeds go to Prince William County charities. Upcoming flicks: National Treasure, Captain America: The First Avenger, Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone.
Prince George’s Stadium
Prince George’s Stadium, home to the minor league Bowie Baysox, is hosting drive-in movies in the parking lot through July. No alcohol allowed. $30 a car. Upcoming flicks: Coming to America, A League of Their Own.
Starlight Cinema
Centreville
Fairfax County’s free drive-in series is back in August, with movies Saturdays at 7 p.m. at Trinity Centre. Upcoming flicks: Trolls World Tour, The Croods: A New Age, Raya and the Last Dragon.
Sunset Cinema
The Wharf
Grab takeout from one of the Wharf’s eateries and catch a free movie on Transit Pier. Reservations required. Upcoming flicks: Goonies, Best in Show, Girls Trip.
UDC Amphitheater
Northwest DC
The wooded, hillside UDC amphitheater, which has both rows of wooden seating and grassy areas, will show family-friendly flicks this summer in collaboration with Van Ness Main Street. The movies are free, but registration is required. Picnics, blankets, and cushions are allowed; no chairs. Upcoming flicks: Moana, Mamma Mia, Hidden Figures.
Willco Drive-In Theatre
Rockville
Rom-coms, Disney fare, new releases, and more on a large LED screen. $12 adults, $8 ages 13 and under. Recent flicks: Nomadland, Ferdinand, Ford vs. Ferrari.
Neighborhood Shows
Community parks and plazas host free outdoor movies, too. Many series will be back this summer, including monthly Saturday films on the plaza (with concessions by AMC) at Tysons Corner Center, monthly cinema at Mitchell Park in Kalorama, weekly movies in August at Arlington’s Virginia Highlands Park, and Wednesday screenings (mid-August through October) at Alethia Tanner Park—a newish park in NoMa that was built with movies in mind, including a sound system and cafe.
Know a Washington-area drive-in or outdoor film series we missed? Email sdalphonse@washingtonian.com so we can add it.
This post has been updated since its original posting.
Sherri Dalphonse joined Washingtonian in 1986 as an editorial intern, and worked her way to the top of the masthead when she was named editor-in-chief in 2022. She oversees the magazine’s editorial staff, and guides the magazine’s stories and direction. She lives in DC.
