The Guide to Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles

Now in its 21st season, Cinespia hosts classic films and modern favorites at historic locations across L.A. Its most popular series runs weekly during the summer at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The outdoor 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.

Upcoming screenings include the 40th anniversary screening of The Thing (Oct. 15) and the original Carrie (Oct. 22). Cinespia is also screening The Craft at Los Angeles State Historic Park in Downtown LA on October 14.

Disney+ presents Hallowstream, a weekend of free screenings at the landmark Hollywood Forever on Friday and Saturday, October 7 and 8. First up is the original Hocus Pocus (1993) and Hocus Pocus 2, which premieres on Disney+ on September 30. The Saturday night lineup includes Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, and a Marvel double feature: the "All-New Halloween Spooktacular!" episode of WandaVision, and the new Werewolf by Night special.

Reservations are free and available on a first come, first served basis. Bites and brews curated by Smorgasburg.

Presented by Showtime, Eat See Hear produces film screenings at venues across LA, including music performances, food trucks and pop-ups. Films are shown on the largest inflatable movie screen on the West Coast with the highest quality HD-projection, a 52-foot wide image and professional sound.

On Saturday, October 29, Eat See Hear presents The Shining at the Autry Museum of the American West. The screening features ice cream from Coolhaus and a live performance by LA-based "Bubble Rockstress" Alexa Villa. Be sure to arrive early for free entry to the museum for ticket holders, starting at 6pm. For more info and to purchase tickets, visit the Eat See Hear website.

Movie nights are some of the most popular events at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl, from the annual John Williams: Maestro of the Movies to the ever-popular Sing-Along Sound of Music to Encanto with the original cast this November.

Following his acclaimed set at this year's Coachella, Danny Elfman will be performing two concerts at the Bowl on Halloween Weekend: Friday, October 28 and Saturday, October 29. With the subtitle “From Boingo to Batman to Big Mess and Beyond,” fans can expect music spanning Elfman's early days fronting Oingo Boingo, to his award-winning film scores, to his 2021 double album Big Mess. Elfman announced that he'll be performing with the same band, orchestra, and choir as he did at Coachella. Tickets are on sale at the Hollywood Bowl website.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2022, The Garland mixes a vintage Southern California vibe with 21st century chic. Located in North Hollywood just minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood, the hotel was originally opened by actress Beverly Garland, best known for her role as Fred MacMurray's wife on the final three seasons of My Three Sons.

Situated at the heart of this lush urban oasis, the pool offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of LA along with Dive-In Movies, where kids of all ages can enjoy a classic flick starting at sundown from Wednesday to Sunday.

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. MRT features a state-of-the-art Da Lite 16’ x 19’ screen, wireless headphones, classic concessions, and bean bag seats.

Fall screenings include Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Sept. 28), The Princess Diaries (Sept. 29), Top Gun Maverick (Sept. 30), Beetlejuice (Oct. 2), Nope (Oct. 3), Cruella (Oct. 4), Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows (Oct. 5), Indiana Jones & The Temple of Doom (Oct. 6), Scream (Oct. 9), Jurassic Park (Oct. 10), The Devil Wears Prada (Oct. 11), Ghostbusters (Oct. 12), The Goonies (Oct. 13), Scary Movie (Oct. 16), Ghost (Oct. 17), Edward Scissorhands (Oct. 18), American Psycho (Oct. 19), I Know What You Did Last Summer (Oct. 20), and Jaws (Oct. 23).

Doors at 7:30pm, screenings begin at 8:30pm. Priced at $65 per person, the "Dinner + Movie" pre-theatre menu includes a three-course meal at E.P. and reserved seating for the movie. Tickets are now on sale at the Melrose Rooftop Theatre website.

Located near the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, The Montalbán is hosting Rooftop Movies through October for the Halloween-themed Rooftop Screams. The Montalbán’s rooftop oasis is outfitted with a bar, concession stand, and kitchen. Attendees can enjoy fun on-site activities such as GIANT Jenga, oversized four-in-a-row, cornhole; or ham it up in the Selfie Zone.

Upcoming screenings include Labyrinth (Sept. 30), Scream (Oct. 1), Shaun of the Dead (Oct. 7), Beetlejuice (Oct. 14), The Shining (Oct. 15), Hocus Pocus (Oct. 21), Bram Stoker's Dracula (Oct. 22), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (Oct. 28), and The Nightmare Before Christmas (Oct. 29).

Doors for each screening open at 6pm, with the feature film starting 10 minutes after sunset. Tickets cost $28 for regular admission and include headset rental and popcorn. Pricing is $58 for a double seat (aka loveseat), which includes headsets, two bottomless popcorn and champagne toast. Food by Village Pizzeria and Cafe Cafe is available on any screening night. For the full schedule and to purchase tickets, visit The Montalbán website.

Now through December 2022, Jamaica Bay Inn is hosting Outdoor Movie Night, a FREE outdoor movie series taking place on their beachfront lawn every Sunday. Drinks and movie snacks will be available for purchase. Seating is first come, first served and starts at 7 pm; movie starts at dusk. Low chairs, blankets, and pillows are welcome. Higher camping style chairs are not allowed. Visit Eventbrite for the full schedule.

Rooftop Cinema Club offers a premier outdoor movie experience at LEVEL in Downtown LA, ROW DTLA in the Arts District, and in El Segundo. ROW DTLA is going all in with Hocus Pocus: Oct. 1-2, 5-6, 9, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, and a triple screening on Sunday, October 30.

The busy Halloween schedule includes: Beetlejuice (Oct. 1, 10, 25), Scream (Oct. 1), Halloweentown (Oct. 2, 23, 29, 31), Death Becomes Her (Oct. 2, 23), A Quiet Place (Oct. 3), Halloween (Oct. 3, 15, 31), Zombieland (Oct. 4), The Ring (Oct. 4), Se7en (Oct. 5), Cruella (Oct. 6, 20), The Cabin in the Woods (Oct. 6), The Addams Family (Oct. 7, 23), Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone (Oct. 7), Scary Movie (Oct. 7), Monsters Inc (Oct. 8, 27), The Goonies (Oct. 8), Parasite (Oct. 8), It (Oct. 8), The Nightmare Before Christmas (Oct. 9, 29), Jaws (Oct. 9), American Psycho (Oct. 10), Jurassic Park (Oct. 11), Final Destination (Oct. 11), I Know What You Did Last Summer (Oct. 12), Labyrinth (Oct. 13), Carrie (Oct. 13), Scream (Oct. 13, 29), Coco (Oct. 14), The Mummy (Oct. 14), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Oct. 14, 28), Corpse Bride (Oct. 15), The Conjuring (Oct. 15), Hotel Transylvania (Oct. 16), Edward Scissorhands (Oct. 16), The Shining (Oct. 16), Interview with the Vampire (Oct. 17), Get Out (Oct. 17), The Silence of the Lambs (Oct. 18), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (Oct. 18), A Nightmare On Elm Street (Oct. 19), Bram Stoker's Dracula (Oct. 20), Donnie Darko (Oct. 20), Paranorman (Oct. 21), Coraline (Oct. 22), Practical Magic (Oct. 22), The Craft (Oct. 22), Hereditary (Oct. 24), A Quiet Place 2 (Oct. 24), The Exorcist (Oct. 25), Psycho (Oct. 27), Candyman (Oct. 27), Ghostbusters (Oct. 28), Friday the 13th (Oct. 28).

At ROW DTLA , RCC has partnered with Article to offer two Bohemian seating styles: the deep-seated Medan Lounge Chair and the cushioned Aeri Lounge Chair. For cinema guests to enjoy on the rooftop, Rappahannock Oyster Bar is offering 15% off their order and Pikunico is offering a complimentary dessert with the purchase of an entree. The concession stand offers popcorn (vegan), candy and movie snacks. Full bar service is provided by Hi-Lo.

For tickets and the complete movie schedule, visit the Rooftop Cinema Club website.

Featuring a wide range of films, gourmet food trucks and live music, Street Food Cinema presents screenings at outdoor locations from The Autry to Los Angeles State Historic Park, Will Rogers State Historic Park, and Veterans Memorial Park in Culver City.

Upcoming screenings at The Autry include Mean Girls (Oct. 1) and Beetlejuice (Oct. 8). SFC is screening The Nightmare Before Christmas at Will Rogers (Oct. 15) and Psycho at LA State Historic Park on October 29.

Doors open at 5:30pm, the band plays at 6:45pm, and the movie starts at 8pm. Most locations like The Autry are dog-friendly! Full schedule and tickets at the Street Food Cinema website.

SFC is also co-presenting the ReelAbilities Film Festival, a three-day festival dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories, and artistic expressions of people with disabilities. The festival is taking place at California Plaza From October 21-23.