A warm evening. A picnic under the stars. And most important, a huge movie screen.
Yes, it’s that time of year: May marks the beginning of outdoor movie season in D.C., with a variety of choices — from Disney favorites to recent releases to Oscar reruns.
Whether you’re planning an after-work meetup, a date night or a family outing, we’ve broken down the options based on the vibe and what type of night you’re looking for. We’ll update this list as the season progresses, but for now, get an early start on enjoying the movies you missed or haven’t seen in ages.
Best for date night
Movies on the Potomac
When: Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m., through Sept. 27.
Where: National Harbor Plaza, 165 Waterfront St., National Harbor. nationalharbor.com.
Movies: “Hamnet” (May 7), “Jurassic World Rebirth” (May 14), “Wicked: For Good” (May 21), “F1” (May 28).
Why go: If you’re trying to plan a date that feels intentional, and not just two hours sitting through a movie, this setup does most of the work. Thursdays are designated “Date Night,” which tends to weed out a younger crowd, and the lineup leans toward recent Oscar-nominated films. The real advantage is that the movie is just part of the night. You can grab dinner around the plaza at Succotash or Bombay’s Street Food, walk off the calories around the waterfront, and then settle in at your BYO-foldable-chair-picnic for a view of the sunset behind the Capital Wheel and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.
Getting there: There’s no direct Metro stop by the harbor, so build in time for a transfer. Take the Green Line to Southern Avenue or King Street and then catch either the P90 bus from Alexandria or the P94 from Suitland to the harbor. If you’re down for more adventurous travel, you can take the water taxi from Old Town Alexandria — or start from the Wharf to extend the evening’s activities.
Sunset Cinema
When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., through Sept. 2.
Where: Transit Pier at the Wharf, 970 Wharf St. SW. wharfdc.com.
Movies: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (May 27).
Why go: Anything featuring water and a sunset is an instant yes on the romantic checklist. But if you want a shorter date (or maybe it’s your first), you can bail early without it feeling awkward since there’s no fixed seating, and people will likely be coming and going. Or pivot away from the movie and head to one of the Wharf’s restaurants or bars.
Getting there: Two Metro stops, Waterfront and L’Enfant Plaza, are just a short stroll from the Wharf. If you want your date night to start earlier, the water taxi from Old Town Alexandria drops you off right at the dock. The water taxi doesn’t run late after screenings, so plan your return accordingly. There are also nearby parking garages and ride-sharing drop-off spots along the waterfront.
Best for low-key meetup after work
CiNoMatic in NoMa
When: Wednesdays at sunset, through June 10. Start times vary, so check the schedule.
Where: Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE. nomabid.com.
Movies: “Pirates of the Caribbean” (May 6), “Jurassic Park” (May 13), “Top Gun” (May 20), “National Treasure” (May 27).
Why go: In a fairly new park surrounded by murals and named after a formerly enslaved activist, this 2.5-acre open space is an easy place to meet friends after work. Just pack a blanket in your work bag and stop by one of the local food trucks for dinner. Even if your companions are coming from different locations or running late, it’s easy to meet by the NoMa-Gallaudet U Metro station or on the lawn without a strict schedule.
Getting there: Take the Red Line to the NoMa-Gallaudet U station, which is about a five-to-10-minute walk to the park along Harry Thomas Way. If you’re already in NoMa, it’s an easy walk over after work, and dogs are welcome on a leash.
Movie Nights in Adams Morgan
When: Thursdays 20 to 30 minutes after sunset, through June 25.
Where: Soccer field at the Marie Reed Recreation Center, 2200 Champlain St. NW. adamsmorgan.com.
Movies: “Rocky” (May 21) and “East Side Sushi” (May 28).
Why go: These screenings take place amid the hustle and bustle of Adams Morgan nightlife, with nearby restaurants often offering takeout specials if you’re feeling hungry and want a movie backdrop for an after-work hangout. Plus, you’re already on 18th Street, so if your group is in a going-out mood, let the movie lead you into a night out and head to the Tiki cocktail bar for a Bombay sapphire.
Getting there: From downtown, take the Green or Yellow Line to U Street/African American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo and walk about 10 to 15 minutes, or for a slightly shorter walk, get off at Columbia Heights. Either way, prepare your mind and soles for a hill, and expect to encounter an already hopping Thursday night in Adams Morgan before you’ve even made it to the movie.
Best for kids and families
The Drive-In at Union Market
When: One Friday a month from 7 to 11 p.m., through Oct. 9.
Where: Union Market in NoMa, 1309 Fifth St. NE. $25 per car; free for pedestrians. unionmarketdc.com.
Movies: “Mulan” (May 8).
Why go: Parents, if you’re trying to get out of the house for the weekend without the stress of planning an entire outing, this G-rated drive-in screening may be the answer. Kids stay in the back seat instead of running around, removing the stress of keeping a constant eye on them. You can also relax without worrying about the decibel level of their unsolicited movie commentary and indulge in food purchased from the Union Market vendors. If you don’t have a car, you can still sit and watch the movie in the area between the screen and the market, and there’s no $25 fee.
Getting there: Located in NoMa, Union Market is easy to get to by car (especially for the full drive-in experience) or ride-sharing service, and you can park on-site as long as the 170 parking spaces aren’t sold out. If you’re taking the Metro, NoMa-Gallaudet U is about a 10-minute walk.
Movies on the Potomac, family style
When: Sundays from 6 to 8 p.m., through Sept. 27.
Where: National Harbor Plaza, 165 Waterfront St., National Harbor. nationalharbor.com.
Movies: “Smurfs” (May 10), “Minecraft Movie” (May 17), “Goat” (May 24), “Zootopia 2” (May 31)
Why go: Sunday movies at National Harbor are for the whole family, and even before the movie starts, there’s plenty to keep antsy kids occupied, including the 180-foot, 42-car Ferris wheel. And the movie’s earlier start time will help keep bedtimes on schedule.
Getting there: There’s no direct Metro stop by the harbor, so build in time for a transfer. Take the Green Line to Southern Avenue or King Street and then catch the P90 Metrobus straight to the harbor. If you’re down for more adventurous travel, you can take the water taxi from Old Town Alexandria.
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