Parisa Burton With summer just over a month away, it’s officially time to start checking off those bucket list plans that set the mood for the season. One tradition that never loses its charm is catching an outdoor movie in the park, whether it’s with family, friends, or that special someone. Luckily, you won’t have to search far. Read on for a roundup of towns across New Jersey hosting outdoor movie nights this summer.
Photo Credit: @montclairfilm
Bergen County
Movies + Concerts in the Park | Various Parks
Bergen County’s “Movies + Concerts in the Park” summer series brings free outdoor movie screenings and live concerts to Van Saun County Park, Pascack Brook County Park, Overpeck County Park, and Riverside County Park South starting July 7th, with 25 total film screenings and performances scheduled through July and August; all events are free, with movies beginning at sunset and concerts at 7PM.
Read More: A Guide to Spring + Summer Flea Markets at the Jersey Shore
Cape May County
Free Family Movies Under the Stars | Excursion Park, JFK Boulevard + Pleasure Avenue, Sea Isle City
In Sea Isle City, Free Family Movies Under the Stars returns weekly on Wednesdays from July through September at Excursion Park. Hosted by Sea Isle City Tourism, the screenings begin at dusk and feature a family-friendly 2026 lineup including Elf, Lilo + Stitch (2025), Zootopia 2, and Moana 2. Guests are encouraged to bring beach chairs, blankets, and snacks for a relaxed night under the stars. See the full lineup and dates here.
Movies on the Beach | 714 Beach Avenue, Cape May
The City of Cape May is hosting a “Movies on the Beach” series that features a lineup of movies every Thursday at dusk, for 9 weeks. It is being held to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cape May City’s incorporation. Some movies in the lineup include Independence Day, Jaws, and Wonder Woman.
Essex County
Summer of Fun | Universal Technical Institute + Pulaski Park, Bloomfield
In Bloomfield, the 2026 “Summer of Fun” lineup includes two movie events: a drive-in style screening during the Bloomfield Classic Car Cruise Night on August 26th at Universal Technical Institute, and the Annual Movie in the Park + Overnight Family Campout on September 18th at Pulaski Park, starting at 7:45PM. See details here.
Movie Night Under the Stars | Brookdale Park, Watchung Avenue, Montclair
Montclair Film hosts its annual “Movie Night Under the Stars,” inviting friends and families to the park for a lineup of free, family-friendly films throughout the summer. Details for the 2026 season are still TBA.
Summer Movie Nights | Livingston Memorial Park, Robert H Harp Drive, Livingston
In Livingston, Summer Movie Nights return in 2026 with free weekly screenings at sundown at the Oval. Held primarily on Wednesday nights, the lineup includes titles like Wicked for Good, GOAT, and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, with one Thursday screening on August 19. In case of inclement weather, updates will be shared via the township’s website and social media.
Hudson County
Movies Under the Stars | Pier A Park, 100 Sinatra Drive, Hoboken
The city of Hoboken hosts several warm-weather events for locals to enjoy each year, including an annual Movies Under the Stars that will take place in the summer as part of its Hoboken Summer Fun series. 2026 dates have yet to be announced.
Movies in the Park | Hamilton Park, 344 Grove Street, Jersey City
Movies in the Park have been a beloved tradition since 2013, hosted by the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association. The movie screenings welcome community members to cozy up and enjoy a film under the stars. 2026 dates are TBD. Keep an eye on its event page for updates.
Movies on The Pier | 239 Washington Street, Jersey City
Every summer, The Exchange Place Alliance hosts Movies on The Pier, with family-friendly movie screenings for locals. 2026 details are TBD. Check here for updates.
Movies on the Plaza | Newark Avenue Pedestrian Plaza, 158 Newark Avenue
Taking place on four Fridays from June through September, free outdoor movies will be screened from 7PM–10PM in partnership with the Historic Downtown Jersey City Special Improvement District. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair, with movies beginning at 8PM.See more details here.
Mercer County
Movie Nights on the Green | Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton
In Palmer Square, “Movie Nights on the Green” is returning for summer 2026 with a series of free, family-friendly outdoor screenings set on the lawn in the heart of Princeton. This year’s lineup includes a special Movie Night + Backyard BBQ on June 26 beginning at 6PM, followed by evening screenings on July 17 and August 14 starting at 8:30PM. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to explore nearby shops and grab takeout for a picnic-style viewing, and to bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Middlesex County
Outdoor Movie Theater Series | 212 Raritan Avenue, Highland Park
Highland Park’s Outdoor Movie Theater series runs on Saturday nights from May through August in downtown Highland Park. Hosted by Main Street Highland Park, the free series takes place at the municipal parking lot on Raritan Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Avenue and features vintage cartoons shown at dusk. 2026 movie titles and dates have not yet been announced.
Monmouth County
Movies by the Sea | 707 Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
Asbury Park’s “Movies by the Sea” series will be returning at The Showroom Cinema. Admission is free and includes one popcorn + free drink, and is only open to Asbury Park residents. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Some of its screenings this summer include Zootopia on Friday, June 12th and Rio on Wednesday, July 24th.
Movies on the Beach | 400 Ocean Avenue North, Belmar
Belmar is bringing back its annual Movies on the Beach event series this summer 2026, starting on Wednesday, July 1st and running until Wednesday, August 26th. Some of the confirmed movies are Ratatouille, A Cinderella Story, The Incredibles, and What a Girl Wants.
See More: 2026 Summer Festivals in Hoboken + Jersey City
Morris County
Summer Outdoor Series | Ginty Field, 45 Woodland Avenue, Morristown
Morris Township will host its Summer Outdoor Movie Series at Ginty Field, featuring free, family-friendly screenings throughout July and August. The lineup includes The SpongeBob Movie on July 1st, Smurfs on July 15th, Zootopia 2 on July 29th, and Elio on August 12th. All movies begin at dusk, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
Ocean County
Movies at the Beach | Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue, Point Pleasant
At Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, the annual Movies on the Beach series returns for 2026 with weekly screenings set right on the sand. Taking place Tuesday nights at dark (around 8:30PM) in front of the aquarium, the lineup features a mix of new releases and classics, from Grease and Jurassic Park to newer titles like Zootopia 2. The free, family-friendly series runs June through early September, with attendees encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs for a relaxed movie night by the ocean.
Movies on the Bay | Lavallette Gazebo, Philadelphia Avenue and Bay Boulevard, Lavallette
In Lavallette, Movies on the Bay returns for another season of free outdoor screenings at the gazebo on Philadelphia Avenue and Bay Boulevard. Held on Tuesday nights at dusk throughout July and August, the series features a lineup of family-friendly films like Lilo + Stitch, Superman, and Zootopia 2. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs and settle in for a laid-back movie night along the bay.
Movies on the Beach | Seaside Heights Beach, Fremont Avenue Beach Entrance, Seaside Heights
In Seaside Heights, Movies on the Beach returns with free outdoor screenings held at dusk right on the sand at the Fremont Avenue beach entrance. Running from July through August, the 2026 lineup features a mix of classics and family favorites, including Jaws, Back to the Future, Zootopia 2, and How to Train Your Dragon. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and beach chairs for a relaxed seaside movie night under the stars.
Free Family Movie Nights | Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood
In Wildwood, Free Family Movie Nights return to Byrne Plaza on Tuesday evenings at sundown, beginning in June. The Downtown Wildwood series features free outdoor screenings on the plaza, with films starting around 7:45-8:30PM as the sun sets. The summer lineup includes titles like Smurfs, Kung Fu Panda 2, Hoppers, The Grinch, and Migration. See the full movie lineup and dates here.
Passaic County
Outdoor Movie Nights | Various Passaic County Parks
In Passaic County Parks, Outdoor Movie Nights return for summer 2026, from June-August, with a rotating series of three free, family-friendly screenings across Weasel Brook Park in Clifton, Goffle Brook Park in Hawthorne, and Rifle Camp Park in Woodland Park. Supported by the Friends of Passaic County Parks, each movie begins just after sunset (around 8:45PM), with attendees encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, and snacks for a relaxed night under the stars.
Union County
Movies in the Park | Flanagan Field, 2039 Wall Street, Rahway
In Rahway, Mayor Raymond A. Giacobbe and the City Council are bringing back “Movies in the Park” for summer 2026 with a two-night series scheduled for Thursday, July 9th and Thursday, July 23rd. Both screenings begin at 8:30PM, featuring Zootopia 2 on the first night and James and the Giant Peach on the second. The events are free to attend, though registration is required. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for a comfortable evening under the stars.
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