Outdoor movies have long been a summer tradition in Baltimore. Just look at Bengie’s Drive-In in Essex, which has been a destination for 70 years. Not only do the open-air screenings offer a hefty dose of nostalgia, they also provide an unconventional way for locals to experience some of the area’s greatest greenspaces.
“Experiencing a film in the surrounding setting of a new park or outdoor venue is really what’s bringing people out, especially post-COVID,” says Jonathan Young, the owner of Essex-based Vintage View Cinemas, a company that sources screens, concession stands, and other equipment for many area movie events.
Beyond the setting, Young says that the summer activity endures as a way for locals to connect.
“Outdoor movies can bring people together, not just from a standpoint of sitting in the same space and watching the same film but, beyond that, creating communities and friend groups based on the love of the movies on the screen.”
To that end, no matter where you are in the Baltimore area this summer, there is always an outdoor movie nearby. Here, we round up places to catch fresh-air flicks in the coming weeks:
BALTIMORE CITY
AVAM’s Flicks from the Hill: On four Thursday nights in July, AVAM will once again host its summer movie series on the hill facing the museum off of Key Highway. This summer, show up early to enjoy on-theme, pre-movie workshops preceding The Wiz, A Wrinkle in Time, Men in Black, and Labyrinth. Viewers also get free museum admission from 5-9 p.m., so be sure to do a walkthrough before claiming your spot. 800 Key Highway. 5 p.m. Movies begin at 8:45 p.m. Free.
The Sound Garden x Arepi Summer Film Series: For th second year, Fells Point neighbors The Sound Garden and Arepi are hosting films under the stars in their back parking lot on Tuesday nights at dusk. Throw a lawn chair over your shoulder and head toward Thames to stock up on records, beer, wine, arepas, and popcorn before the opening credits. The theme this year is movies with iconic soundtracks, including Fast Times at Ridgemont High on July 21 and Scott Pilgrim vs The World on July 28. 1616 Thames St. Films start at dusk. Free admission.
Rhythm & Reels: This summer, and through October, the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks is rotating around the city’s many public spaces to bring the community films of all kinds. You can catch titles like Wicked: For Good on Aug. 22 at Canton Waterfront Park, Jurassic Park: Rebirth at Irvington Park on Oct. 2, and The Craft just in time for spooky season back at Canton Waterfront Park on Oct. 23. Locations and times vary. Free.
Outdoor Movie Nights at Baltimore Peninsula: South Baltimore’s waterfront locale is bringing back its outdoor film series with monthly showings, including Love & Basketball on Aug. 14 and The Greatest Showman on Sept. 11. As always, the events will feature eats for sale by visiting vendors beginning at 6 p.m. Pack a blanket or lawn chair and head to the big screen adjacent to Rye Street Tavern. 301 E. Cromwell St. Movies at 8 p.m. Free.
BALTIMORE COUNTY
Bengies Drive-In: With frequent double features, this famous film fixture—known for having one of the largest outdoor screens in the country—offers quantity and quality. Be sure to review Bengie’s house rules before attending. (A minimum of two people must be in the car.) 3417 Eastern Blvd. Middle River. Times vary. Weekend showings: $4.00 car fee, $12.50 per person, $7.00 ages 4-10.
Essex Outdoor Movie Under the Stars: Mingle with friends and neighbors while checking out community resources (and chowing down on free pizza while supplies last) at this recurring event put on by the Essex Community Development Corporation. On Friday, Aug. 28, bring a lawn chair to relax and enjoy Pixar’s Elio with the whole fam at 6 p.m. Cox’s Point Park. 820 Riverside Dr. Essex. 6 p.m. Free.
Movies on Main at Hunt Valley Towne Centre: A massive pop-up screen in Hunt Valley Towne Centre’s center plaza will display movies on the third Thursday of every month through October. Grab dinner (and a requisite treat) from the area eateries before settling down for Inside Out on Aug. 20, Freaky Friday on Sept. 17, and Hocus Pocus on Oct. 15. 118 Shawan Rd. Movies start at sundown. Free.
Screen on the Green Movie Series: The folks with Baltimore County Recreation and Parks are hosting roving showings at parks around the county on weekends throughout the summer. Among the featured films are The Lion King at the Pikesville Armory on July 26, Goat at the Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum in Catonsville on Aug. 21, and The Wedding Singer at the Fullerton Community Center in Overlea on Sept 18. Locations and showtimes vary. Free.
CARROLL COUNTY
Outdoor Summer Movies in Westminster: On select Tuesdays throughout the summer, join the Carroll County Arts Council for its Outdoor Summer Family Movie Series. Films roll Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. at Carroll Community College. Bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks to enjoy adventures like Robin Hood on July 28 and Muppet Treasure Island on Aug 4. 1601 Washington Rd. 8:30 p.m. Westminster. Free.
HARFORD COUNTY
Summer Movie Nights in Bel Air: Consider yourself lucky, because the Bel Air Downtown Alliance is showing summer movies at Shamrock Park every third Friday in July and August. This season, bring the fam for pre-show activities like face-painting, karate, cheerleading, and book browsing. The movies—Zootopia 2 on July 17 and The Minecraft Movie on Aug. 21—start at 8 p.m., and food trucks (think: Crabby Pretzel, The Slice is Right, Kona Ice, and Sunny Day Lemonade) will be present for all of your concession needs. Shamrock Park-Lee Street. Bel Air. 7:00-9:30 p.m. Free
HOWARD COUNTY
Movie Nights at the Wine Bin: This Ellicott City liquor store has a lot more to offer than its namesake bottles of vino. Along with its craft beers, cocktail kits, and charcuterie selection, the shop provides a great variety of outdoor movies in its parking lot on Saturday nights throughout the summer. The Wine Bin staff has once again curated a jam-packed lineup of classics such as The Breakfast Club, Monsters Inc., The Princess Bride, and The Dark Knight. This year, all popcorn proceeds will benefit Ellicott City advocacy program Voices for Children. 8390 Main St. Ellicott City. Times vary. Free.
Lakefront Live: The Columbia Association is back with another year of Lakefront Live, a series of music, food, and, of course, outdoor movies overlooking Lake Kittamaqundi. Happening on select Friday and Saturday nights September, the well-rounded roster this season includes adventures like The Super Mario Galaxy Movie on July 23, Hoppers on Aug. 14, Freakier Friday on Aug. 21, and How to Train Your Dragon on Sept. 4. Downtown Columbia Lakefront 10275 Wincopin Circle. Columbia. 8:15 p.m. Free.
Additional reporting by Hunter Hine, Nina Branwell, and Kirstin Nichols