As night settles in and the heat of the day slowly dissipates, big screens light up across the National Capital area. Almost every evening there’s an outdoor cinema in the region showing everything from classic to contemporary flicks.
“Movie Night gives people an opportunity to gather and fosters a sense of neighborhood pride,” said Stephen Gregory Smith, events coordinator with the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization (CPRO) in Arlington, Virginia. “And, who doesn’t love a free event?”
While most outdoor cinemas wrap up by Labor Day, there are a handful that extend into October or November. No matter the time of year, movie nights are subject to the whims of Mother Nature. “It can be nerve wracking keeping an eye on the weather,” said Smith. If rain is in the forecast, his organization strives to make the call to cancel by 3:30 p.m.
Throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia, there are more than 25 venues showing movies in late summer. A two-year old website, DC Outdoor Films (www.dcoutdoorfilms.com), regularly updates its list to reflect new venues, movies and schedules. The following are just a sample of the wealth of movie offerings in the region.
CPRO’s Movie Nights
With films Thursdays at Arlington Mill and Saturdays at Penrose Square, CPRO’s Movie Nights have something for everyone, according to Smith. “We attract a diverse audience. It’s a great cross section of Columbia Pike,” he said. Movies at Arlington Mill are more intimate, bringing together as many as 80 people, while those at Penrose Square attract 150-200.
As CPRO celebrates its 30th anniversary, this year’s theme is “Celebrating the Great Movies of 1987(ish)!” The “ish” is due to a lack of available films to fill CPRO’s 26 slots. “The movies were picked to appeal to various slices of the community,” said Smith. “There’s ‘Die Hard’ for men, ‘Moonstruck’ for women, and ‘Big’ for families.” He expects the Ron Howard directed film “Cocoon” to be popular with an older demographic. CPRO does on occasion show R-rated movies, so parents are advised to check ratings.
One of last year’s movies, “The Princess Bride,” will be repeated this summer. “It is such a beloved movie and it drew an enormous crowd last year. Turns out it’s a 1987 movie,” said Smith.
With some family movies, CPRO plays the soundtrack before the movie for folks to dance to. “With ‘Big,’ there will be a piano on site so that kids can reenact the chopsticks scene,” Smith said.
Rosslyn Cinema + Pub in the Park
Now in its 10th season, Rosslyn Cinema is, for a second year, partnering with Pub in the Park. “The mobile pub opens at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk,” said Maureen R. Goldman, director of marketing and communications for the Rosslyn BID in Arlington, Virginia. Among the drink options are draft beer, wine, sangria, soda and water. While Popped Republic sells popcorn at every movie, other food trucks –offering everything from barbecue to funnel cakes to gourmet hot dogs – rotate each Friday. “Some people come for Pub in the Park, some just for the movie, and some stay the whole night,” said Goldman. “Rosslyn Cinema brings over 18,000 people to Gateway Park every summer.”
For years, Rosslyn Cinema’s movies adhered to a theme, such as politics. “Last year we used a broader theme: ‘The Incredible Journey,’” said Goldman. “We tried segmenting it. With a 13-film season, we made sure three were family friendly, three were chick flicks, and three were classics.” While Rosslyn Cinema has retained the segmentation, it has dropped the theme. August’s films include “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Avengers” and “Mary Poppins.” “Lego Batman,” the month’s family movie, will feature a Lego activity and kid-friendly food trucks.
“The beauty of Gateway Park is that there are lots of ways to get there,” said Goldman. From Georgetown, it’s a scenic walk over the Key Bridge. Bike trails run through the park. The Rosslyn Metrorail station is a few blocks away. And, Atlantic Parking on North Moore Street offers a $3 rate for Rosslyn Cinema nights.
Movies Under the Stars
Family-friendly movies on a big screen under the stars attract as many as 400 people to Stonebridge at Potomac Park Center in Woodbridge, Virginia. “Come early and find a place in the shade,” said Anastasia Paszkiewicz, the center’s property manager. “Bring a picnic dinner or grab something from one of our retailers.”
The late summer lineup includes “Angry Birds,” “The Princess Bride,” “Babe” and “Lego Batman.” In selecting movies, Paszkiewicz pays attention to what was popular the previous summer. She sometimes, polls followers on Facebook. Disney movies are among the first to get slotted. “Disney has very specific rules about when you can show their films,” she said, “and we want to fit them in as they attract crowds.”
Stonebridge has been hosting Movies Under the Stars since 2013, when the shopping center opened. The Saturday night films are among several events, such as live concerts on the second and fourth Fridays, that Stonebridge sponsors each summer.
Family Movies on the Potomac/Date Night Movies on the Potomac
Currently celebrating the third anniversary of its 18- by 32-feet jumbo screen, Maryland’s National Harbor has two movie nights targeted to different audiences. Sunday nights are designed to appeal to families, while Thursday nights are for couples. Sunday movies start at 6 p.m. and Thursday movies begin at 7 p.m.
“Bring a blanket or low-seated chair,” said Deborah Topcik, director of marketing at National Harbor. “If you don’t get a seat on the lawn, you can sit on the Spanish Steps, which truthfully are shadier.”
While you can bring a picnic dinner, food and drink options abound at National Harbor. “Some of our restaurants offer military discounts,” said Topcik. There’s plenty of parking available and several buses – including Metrobus NH1, which serves parts of Prince George’s County, Maryland and the District of Colombia, and NH2, which comes from Alexandria, Virginia – provide easy access.
Topcik suggests bringing sunglasses, as the sun may be bright for those arriving early. She also recommends identifying a check-in place for young children. “It’s important to have a meeting spot in case someone gets lost,” she said, noting that Sunday crowds average around 1,000.
National Harbor’s movie nights run through the end of September. There are two family double features, which begin at 4 p.m. The first is on August 13 when “The Karate Kid” from both 1984 and 2010 will show. The other is September 3, when “Cinderella” from 1950 and 1997 will play. “The 1997 version with Whitney Houston and Brandy is a favorite,” said Topcik.
Movie Night on Carroll Creek
The Carroll Creek Amphitheater plays host to Movie Night on the third Friday in August, September and October. “It’s a free community oriented event for people of all ages,” said Leeann Dickerson, marketing and promotion manager for Maryland’s Downtown Frederick Partnership. Gates open at 8 p.m. in August, 7 p.m. in September and 6 p.m. in October. The movie starts an hour later.
In selecting titles for Movie Night, Dickerson relies on a committee that helps plan events in the City of Frederick’s downtown. “We compile a list of titles that appeal to a wide range of people but are not currently on TV,” she said. This year’s lineup includes “Shrek” in August and “10 Things I Hate About You” in September. In honor of the 20th anniversary of the publication of the first Harry Potter book, October’s Movie Night will feature “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” “We will have face painting and a make-your-own-wand activity.”
While there’s food, beer and wine for sale at Movie Night on Carroll Creek, Dickerson suggests that people grab dinner at one of Frederick’s downtown restaurants before heading to the amphitheater. “Consider making a day of it. There’s so much to do downtown,” she said. And patronizing the event’s sponsors would be nice, she added. “Our free movie night wouldn’t be possible without their support.”
No matter what your movie preference, animated, comedic, dramatic or musical, you’re certain to find a match some night, somewhere in the National Capital region. Just grab a blanket or chair and something to munch on and head on over to the outdoor movie night near you.