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 nearly 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, Federal Hill will once again transform into a cinema, with AVAM’s Hughes Family Outdoor Theater boasting the screen. This summer, show up early to enjoy on-theme, pre-movie workshops preceding Rocky, Remember the Titans, Mighty Ducks, and Toy Story. Viewers also get free museum admission from 5-9 p.m., so be sure to do a walkthrough before setting up your blanket on the Federal Hill Park hill facing the building. 800 Key Highway. 5 p.m. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Free.
The Sound Garden x Arepi Summer Romcom Series: New this year, Fells Point neighbors The Sound Garden and Arepi are spreading the summer love with romantic comedies in their back parking lot every Wednesday night 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 flicks. Classics on deck include Notting Hill on July 9, The Princess Bride on July 16, and 10 Things I Hate About You on July 23. 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 flicks like The Nightmare Before Christmas at Wyman Park Dell on July 11, Inside Out 2 at Easterwood Park on August 1, and Wicked at Canton Waterfront Park on August 23. Come early for free popcorn while it lasts. 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 a special 50th-anniversary celebration of Jaws on July 11 and an homage to Baltimore with Step Up on August 8. 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. This summer’s highlights include Elio, Lilo & Stitch (2025), Jurassic World Rebirth, Megan 2.0, Superman (2025), F1, and more. Concession stands and sweet treats await every date night and family outing. 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.
CARROLL COUNTY
Outdoor Summer Movies in Westminster: On Tuesdays throughout July (as well as on August 12), 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 Spy Kids on July 8, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on July 15, The Hunchback of Notre Dame on July 22, and The Wild Robot on July 29. 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—Toy Story on July 18 and Inside Out 2 on August 15—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 National Treasure, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Grease, The Fugitive, and The Princess Bride. 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 Friday-night series of music, food, and, of course, outdoor movies overlooking Lake Kittamaqundi. Happening Fridays through August 29, the well-rounded roster this season includes adventures like Captain America: Brave New World on July 11, A Minecraft Movie on August 1, In the Heights on August 15, and the live-action Snow White on August 22. Downtown Columbia Lakefront 10275 Wincopin Circle. Columbia. 8:15 p.m. Free.
Additional reporting by Hunter Hine, Nina Branwell, and Kirstin Nichols