The Guide to Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles

With two locations, Rooftop Cinema Club offers a premier outdoor cinema experience with panoramic views, spectacular sunsets and state-of-the-art wireless headphones. Upcoming screenings on the rooftop terrace at LEVEL in Downtown L.A. include "The Princess Bride" (July 2), "Selena" (July 3), "Bohemian Rhapsody" (July 5, 16, 26), "Jaws" (July 6), "Heavy Weights" (July 7), "La La Land" (July 9), "Grease" Sing-Along (July 10), "A Star is Born" (July 11 & 31), "The Beach" (July 12), "The Great Gatsby" (July 13), "Love Jones" (July 14), "8 Mile" (July 17), "BlacKKKlansman" (July 18), "Apollo 11" (July 20), "Top Gun" (July 21), "Point Break" (July 23), "10 Things I Hate About You" (July 24), "Pretty Woman" (July 25), "Above the Rim" (July 27), "Dirty Dancing" (July 28), and "The Big Lebowski" (July 30).

Highlights at Rooftop Cinema Club's Hollywood home, NeueHouse include "Pretty Woman" (July 1), "500 Days of Summer (July 2), "Mean Girls" (July 3), "Save the Last Dance" (July 5), "A Star is Born" (July 6 & 26), "Bohemian Rhapsody" (July 7), "La La Land" (July 9), "Selena" (July 11), "The Notebook" (July 12), "Drop Dead Gorgeous" (July 13), "Labyrinth" (July 14), "Grease" Sing-Along (July 15), "Higher Learning" (July 19), "Jaws" (July 21), "Brown Sugar" (July 22), "Moulin Rouge" (July 29) and "Pulp Fiction" (July 31).

With more than 60 events at 15 locations from Pasadena to Pacific Palisades, Street Food Cinema (SFC) is known as the largest outdoor movie series in Los Angeles. Featuring a wide range of films, gourmet food trucks and live music, the 10th anniversary season kicked off on April 27 with "500 Days of Summer" at Los Angeles State Historic Park. Other screenings at the park include "The Empire Strikes Back" (Aug. 10), "Fight Club" 20th Anniversary (Sept. 14), "The Matrix" 20th Anniversary (Sept. 28), and "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (Oct. 19). 

A special tribute to John Singleton features "Boyz n the Hood" at Exposition Park on July 27.

Another popular destination is Griffith Park, which will host "Black Panther" (July 6), "Monsters Inc." (Aug. 10) and "The Little Mermaid" (Sept. 14).

Taking place on Saturday nights at rotating venues from Downtown L.A. to Santa Monica, Eat|See|Hear boasts the largest outdoor screen on the West Coast and state-of-the-art audio. Every screening features a curated line-up of food trucks and an opening performance by an up-and-coming band. The 2019 season kicked off on May 4 with "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" at the North Hollywood Recreation Center. The next DTLA screening at Los Angeles State Historic Park features "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" on July 20.

Screenings also take place at the Autry Museum of the American West, such as "Casablanca" (July 13), "North by Northwest" (Aug. 3), "Fargo" (Aug. 10), and "The Shining" (Aug. 31).

Los Feliz favorite, Big Bar presents a new version of its popular summer outdoor movies series. Hosted by LA cocktail writer Daniel Djang (aka Thirsty in LA), Thirsty Classics features an evening of iconic movies paired with themed cocktails and bar bites. The series kicked off in June with "Casablanca." Upcoming screenings feature "Some Like It Hot" (July 25) and "Chinatown" (August 29). Tickets are on sale at Eventbrite - admission includes three cocktails and popcorn, with food specials available for purchase.

Movie nights are some of the most popular events at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl. Continuing a beloved Bowl tradition, John Williams: Maestro of the Movies (Aug. 30 - Sept. 1) features the legendary composer conducting many of his greatest moments of cinematic music magic. A selection of clips will be featured on the big screen.

The Bowl's popular movie screenings feature live accompaniment by the LA Phil, including "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (June 29), "Jurassic Park" in Concert (Aug. 16-17), "An American in Paris" (Sept. 12), the ever-popular "Sound of Music" Sing-A-Long (Sept. 21), and Black Movie Soundtrack III (Sept. 25).

Launched in 2002, Cinespia cemetery screenings hosts on-site classic films across L.A. Cinespia shows films from the 1930s through the 1990s, mostly in open-air settings at historic locations. Its most popular series runs weekly between May and August on Saturday (and occasionally Sunday) nights at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The al fresco Cemetery Screenings take place on the Fairbanks Lawn, named for the adjacent crypt housing both Douglas Fairbanks, Sr. and Jr. Guests picnic under the stars and watch films digitally projected against the wall of the Cathedral Mausoleum, which houses the crypt of Rudolph Valentino among many others.

The 2019 season kicked off on May 11 with "Beetlejuice." On August 10, Cinespia presents "Boyz n the Hood" - a tribute to the late filmmaker, John Singleton featuring DJ sets by Questlove and DJ Pooh. The 9th Annual Slumber Party (Aug. 17) features an all-night marathon of '90s teen-queen classics "Never Been Kissed," "I Know What You Did Last Summer," and "Jawbreaker." Other highlights include "Bring It On" (July 6), "The Exorcist" (July 13), "Rear Window" (July 19), "Dumb and Dumber" (July 20), "Twilight" (July 27), "Point Break" (Aug. 3), and "Psycho" (Aug. 24).

Star Wars fans can experience the original trilogy at the landmark Ford Theatres on three consecutive Sundays: "Episode IV - A New Hope" (July 7), "Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (July 14), and "Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (July 21).

Located on the rooftop adjacent to the patio at E.P. & L.P., the Melrose Rooftop Theatre (MRT) offers an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience with the Hollywood Hills as the stunning backdrop, specialty cocktails, custom concession stand, and VIP seating for up to 100 guests. The 2019 MRT program kicked off on April 1 with "Bohemian Rhapsody." Upcoming screenings include "Goodfellas" (July 1), "Dirty Dancing" (July 2), "Sleepless in Seattle" (July 3), "A Star is Born" (July 4), "Rocky" (July 7), "La La Land" (July 8), "The Usual Suspects" (July 9), "The Karate Kid" (July 11), "American Pie" (July 14), "Bridget Jones Diary" (July 15), "Pretty Woman" (July 16), "Fight Club" (July 17), "E.T." (July 18), "Mean Girls" (July 21), "Bohemian Rhapsody" (July 22), "You've Got Mail" (July 23), "Cruel Intentions" (July 24), "Speed" (July 25), "Ghost" (July 29), "Top Gun" (July 30), "Dazed & Confused" (July 31), "Four Weddings and a Funeral" (Aug. 1), "The Notebook" (Aug. 2), "The Wedding Singer" (Aug. 5), "Crazy Rich Asians" (Aug. 6), "A Quiet Place" (Aug. 7), "Pulp Fiction" (Aug. 8), "Coming to America" (Aug. 11), "Dirty Dancing" (Aug. 14), "Pretty in Pink" (Aug. 15), "La La Land" (Aug. 18), "John Wick" (Aug. 19), "Straight Outta Compton" (Aug. 21), "Jerry Maguire" (Aug. 22), "The Devil Wears Prada" (Aug. 25), "Die Hard" (Aug. 26), "The Sandlot" (Aug. 27), "Deadpool" (Aug. 28), "Gladiator" (Aug. 29).   

The MRT experience features a state-of-the-art Da Lite 16’ x 19’ screen and wireless headsets provided to guests. Tickets are now on sale at www.melroserooftoptheatre.com. Pricing for the all-VIP seating is $27.50 per person. The "Dinner and a Movie" package ($65) includes a three-course modern Asian meal at E.P. by Executive Chef Louis Tikaram, followed by reserved seating on the rooftop theatre. Screenings will begin at sundown, with most films running from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Watch fashion-forward films under the stars at the Skirball Cultural Center, presented in celebration of the Skirball’s summer exhibitions, Fearless Fashion: Rudi Gernreich and Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite. The final movie of the summer features The Devil Wears Prada on July 12. Doors open at 6pm and the movie starts at 8:30pm. Before the screening, explore the galleries and enjoy cocktails, wine, beer, and light fare available for purchase.

General admission is $12 and includes museum entry. Movies are free to Skirball members and children under 2. For more info, visit the Skirball website.

Bring the entire family for “Movie Under The Guns,” screening monthly on board the famed Battleship IOWA in San Pedro. The unique movie series is free and held outdoors on the ship's fantail. Limited seating is available. Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately, bring blankets and outdoor chairs. Concessions will be available, no coolers or outside food and beverages allowed. All movies will start at dusk. Subject to cancellation due to extreme weather conditions. Donations are not required but greatly appreciated.

This summer, the Queen Mary invites the public to enjoy the Movie Night Summer Series - free monthly screenings of celebrated films at one of SoCal's most unique outdoor movie locations. Spread out your blanket on the grassy lawn adjacent to the ship and watch "Grease" (July 11), and Tim Burton Double Feature: "Beetlejuice" + "Edward Scissorhands" (August 22).

Event opens at 6:00 pm, and the movie will begin at sundown. Food options from themed food trucks will be available on site, as will beverages and a full bar. The screenings are free to attend and open to all ages. Parking on site at the Queen Mary is available for $10 per vehicle. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed. No outside food or beverages permitted, with the exception of unopened water bottles.