Bring some popcorn and watch a movie under the stars!
Maryland’s outdoor movie scene continues to thrive for a mix of entertainment and fresh air. With outdoor home theaters and outdoor movie screens in state-of-the-art cinemas, you can enjoy your favorite opening drama blockbuster movies in a relaxed, picturesque setting where everything else is far distant from your sightline. Besides, if you want to watch outdoor movies in the nation’s capital, you must see our guide to Outdoor Movies DC. This blog will tell you: where can I find the most exciting outdoor movie venues in Maryland?
1. National Harbor, Prince George’s County – Movies on the Potomac
Movies on the Potomac is a popular summer series hosted at National Harbor, offering free outdoor movie screenings on the waterfront. This event provides an excellent opportunity for date nights and family outings, featuring a mix of recent blockbusters and classic films.
Address: 150 National Plaza, National Harbor, Maryland 20745.
Schedule: Movies are shown every Thursday and Sunday from May through September. Here’s the lineup for the early part of the 2025 season:
- May 9: “Titanic” at 7:00 PM
- May 10: “Moana” at 6:00 PM
- May 12: “Wish” at 6:00 PM
- May 16: “Champions (2023)” at 7:00 PM
- May 19: “Lilo & Stitch” at 6:00 PM
- May 23: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” at 7:00 PM
- May 26: “Akeelah and the Bee” at 6:00 PM
- May 30: “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” at 7:00 PM
- June 2: “Bee Movie” at 6:00 PM
- June 6: “Mean Girls (2024)” at 7:00 PM
- June 9: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” at 6:00 PM
- June 13: “The Fabelmans” at 7:00 PM
- June 16: “Elemental” at 6:00 PM
- June 20: “Gran Turismo” at 7:00 PM
- June 23: “The Little Mermaid (2023)” at 6:00 PM
- June 27: “American-ish” at 7:00 PM
- June 30: “Trolls Band Together” at 6:00 PM
Hours/Time:
- Thursdays (Date Night): Movies begin at 7:00 PM.
- Sundays (Family Night): Movies start at 6:00 PM.
Parking: Parking is available at various garages within National Harbor. Use the National Harbor parking website for the latest information.
Additional Information:
- Weather: The event is held outdoors and may be canceled or rescheduled in case of inclement weather. Updates will be posted on National Harbor’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Accessibility: The event is accessible to all
For more details and the full movie schedule, visit the Movies on the Potomac page.
2. Movies in the Parks, Rockville, Montgomery County
Movies in the Parks is a free outdoor movie series held in various neighborhood parks throughout Rockville, Maryland. This family-friendly event invites residents and visitors to enjoy a different movie each week in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Address and Locations: Movies are shown at different parks within Rockville on Wednesday evenings from July 31 to August 21, 2024. The locations and schedule are as follows:
- Wednesday, July 31: “The Emperor’s New Groove” (G) at Fallsgrove Park, 700 Fallsgrove Dr.
- Wednesday, August 7: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (PG) at Montrose Park, 451 Congressional Ln.
- Wednesday, August 14: “Encanto” (PG) at Calvin Park, 1248 Gladstone Dr.
- Wednesday, August 21: “Matilda” (PG) at Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park, 1800 Piccard Dr.
Hours/Time: Movies begin at dusk, approximately 8:00 PM. Arrive early to find a good spot and set up your chairs or blankets.
Parking: Parking availability varies by park:
- Fallsgrove Park: Ample parking is available near the Thomas Farm Community Center.
- Montrose Park: Limited street parking is available; additional parking may be found nearby shopping centers.
- Calvin Park: Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood.
- Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park: Parking is available in the park’s lot and along Piccard Dr.
Fee Structure: The event is free to attend. No tickets or reservations are required.
Additional Information:
- Seating: Bring your chairs, blankets, and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy the movie comfortably.
- Food and Drink: While you can bring snacks, food vendors may be available at some locations.
- Weather: In case of inclement weather, cancellations will be announced on the City of Rockville’s official website.
- Contact Information: For additional questions, contact the Rockville Special Events office at 240-314-8620 or email specialevents@rockvillemd.gov.
For more details and updates, visit the Movies in the Parks page on the City of Rockville’s website.
3.Drive up to Bengies’ Big Screen
Bengies Drive-In Theatre in Middle River, Maryland, offers a nostalgic drive-in movie experience with the largest movie screen in the United States. This venue has been a beloved fixture since its opening in 1956 and continues to provide a unique and enjoyable outing for families.
Address: 3417 Eastern Boulevard, Middle River, MD 21220
Schedule: Movies are shown every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here’s the schedule for May 24-26, 2025:
- Friday, May 24:
- 7:15 PM: Box Office Opens
- 8:45 PM: “The Garfield Movie” (PG)
- 10:45 PM: “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (PG-13)
- 11:00 PM: Box Office Closes (No admission after this time)
- Saturday, May 25:
- 7:15 PM: Box Office Opens
- 8:45 PM: “The Garfield Movie” (PG)
- 10:45 PM: “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (PG-13)
- 12:00 AM: Box Office Closes (Be in by midnight for “Men in Black” (PG-13) and “Tarot” (PG-13))
- Sunday, May 26:
- 7:15 PM: Box Office Opens
- 8:45 PM: “The Garfield Movie” (PG)
- 10:45 PM: “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire” (PG-13)
- 12:00 AM: Box Office Closes (Be in by midnight for “Men in Black” (PG-13) and “Tarot” (PG-13))
Hours/Time:
- Box Office Hours: Open at 7:15 PM on show nights.
- Show Start Time: The first feature begins at approximately 8:45 PM.
Parking: Ample parking is available on-site, with a capacity for 750 cars.
Fee Structure:
- Adult Ticket (13 and older): $12.50
- Child Ticket (4-10 years): $7
- Children 3 and under: Free
- Food Permit: $20 (required for bringing outside food)
- Note: Only cash is accepted at the box office, while Visa and MasterCard are accepted at the snack bar.
Additional Information:
- Food and Drink: The concession stand offers a wide variety of food, including pizza, hot dogs, pulled pork, meatball sandwiches, candy, and various drinks. Outside food is allowed with a purchased food permit.
- Amenities: The drive-in features playground equipment for children to enjoy before the movie starts.
For more details, visit the Bengies Drive-In Theatre website.
4. North Beach, Calvert County – Movies on the Beach
Movies on the Beach is a beloved summer tradition in North Beach, Maryland, offering free outdoor movie screenings right on the beach. This event is perfect for families and visitors looking to enjoy a relaxing evening by the sea.
Address: Town of North Beach, 8916 Chesapeake Avenue, North Beach, MD 20714
Schedule: Movies are shown once a month on Saturdays from June through September. Here is the lineup for 2024:
- June 15: “Elemental”
- July 13: “Top Gun: Maverick”
- August 17: “Lady and the Tramp”
- September 21: “Migration”
Hours/Time: Movies begin at dusk, typically around 8:30 PM. Arrive early to secure a good spot and set up your chairs or blankets.
Parking: Free parking is available in the vicinity of the beach. There are several public parking lots and street parking options nearby. Arrive early as parking can fill up quickly during popular events.
Additional Information:
- Seating: Bring your own beach chairs and blankets for a comfortable viewing experience on the sand.
- Food and Drink: Guests are encouraged to bring snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Local eateries and vendors are nearby, where food can be purchased.
- Activities: In addition to the movie, there will be music, entertainment, and family-friendly yard games such as cornhole, ladder ball, spikeball, and large connect four.
- Weather: The event is weather-dependent. Inclement weather will result in cancellations, which will be announced on the Town of North Beach’s official website and social media pages.
- Contact Information: Contact the Town of North Beach at 301-855-6681 or 410-257-9618 for more information.
For more details and updates, visit the Movies on the Beach page on the Town of North Beach’s website.
5. Movies on the Beach
Movies on the Beach is a fantastic summer event hosted by the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel in Ocean City, Maryland. This event provides families with a fun and free way to enjoy movies on the beach every Wednesday night from June 7 to August 16.
Address: Carousel Oceanfront Hotel, 11700 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD 21842
Schedule: Movies are shown every Wednesday night at dusk. Here is the lineup for the 2024 season:
- June 5: “Elemental”
- June 12: “Space Jam: A New Legacy”
- June 19: “Turning Red”
- June 26: “Encanto”
- July 3: “Super Mario”
- July 10: “Paw Patrol: Mighty Movie”
- July 17: “Trolls: Band Together”
- August 7: “Minions: The Rise of Gru”
- August 14: “Luca”
- August 21: “Surf’s Up”
- August 28: “Moana”
Hours/Time: The movies start at dusk, typically around 8:30 PM, but arrive earlier to secure a good spot.
Parking: Free parking is available at the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel parking lot. Additional street parking can be found nearby, but it might be limited during peak times, so early arrival is advised.
Fee Structure: The event is free to attend. No tickets are required, making it an excellent option for an affordable family outing.
Additional Information:
- Seating: Bring your blankets and chairs to sit comfortably on the beach.
- Amenities: In addition to the movies, there will be music and entertainment, along with family-friendly yard games like corn hole, ladder ball, spikeball, and large connect four.
- Food and Drink: Snacks and drinks can be purchased at the hotel’s concession stands. Outside food is allowed, but alcoholic beverages are not permitted.
- Weather: The event is weather-dependent. In case of inclement weather, shows will be canceled.
For more details, visit the Carousel Oceanfront Hotel’s official website.
Let us know which spot you will check out this spring/ summer! 😊
