Pack a picnic, grab a blanket – outdoor movie season is here! Ever since the first drive-in movie theatre opened in New Jersey in 1933, movies under the stars have been a favorite summer sensation. Today, outdoor movies are more popular than ever, with parks, rooftops, and even a cemetery popping up screens, some just a short distance from Circa. Many venues offer food trucks and concession stands, or you can bring your own moveable feast. Check websites for movie schedules, tickets, and other details.
Rooftop Cinema Club LEVEL DTLA 888 S Olive St. 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014
What started in 2011 as a single rooftop in London has expanded globally, with a hand-picked program featuring everything from cult films, to classics, and newer releases. The cinema is located on LEVEL’s 4th floor terrace. Arrive early to take in the breathtaking vista, and play games with the city as your backdrop. Select your seats, grab a drink, and snack on classic cinema concessions. Rooftop Cinema Club provides you with a comfy lawn chair (and optional blankets for purchase). When the film begins, you’ll be able to live completely in the movie moments with personal headphones and an amazing view of the big screen.
Street Food Cinema Various locations, including LA State Historic Park & Grand Hope Park
Street Food Cinema, LA’s largest outdoor cinema and music series, is back for its 14th season. More than just a movie screening, the series showcases local food trucks and live bands, and includes interactive audience games, concessions, themed photo ops, local vendors, and special guest appearances. Most locations also feature a full bar and offer a dog-friendly atmosphere.
Cinespia Hollywood Forever Cemetery 6000 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90038
Movie screenings are held outdoors on Fairbanks Lawn, an open grassy field inside Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Bring blankets, pillows or low chairs that have a seat that rests on the ground with a low back. A small tarp underneath your blanket is recommended since the ground can get damp. You are welcome to pack your own picnic with food, beer and wine, but no hard liquor is permitted. They also sell food onsite. A DJ will be spinning music as the sun sets, and again after the movie. Sorry – only ESA and service dogs on leashes are welcome at the screenings.
Tropicana Movie Nights The Hollywood Roosevelt 7000 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028
The iconic Hockney hand-painted pool under the neon sign at The Hollywood Roosevelt provides a unique screening experience for their famous Tropicana Movie Nights. Doors open at 7 PM, giving you plenty of time to secure the perfect spot, enjoy refreshing drinks, and take a dip in the legendary pool. Movie Nights is the perfect way to enjoy classic films in a spectacular setting. Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit and dive into the magic of Hollywood!
The Natural World of Studio Ghibli The Ford 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E. Los Angeles, CA 90068
The Natural World of Studio Ghibli is a film screening series that invites audiences to enjoy classic and recent films by the legendary animation studios that explore our relationship with nature and the spiritual aspect of the natural world. Set against the natural wooded hillside backdrop of The Ford, the films feature Miyazaki’s fantastical worlds, memorable characters, and iconic scores by Joe Hisaishi. Experience unforgettable Studio Ghibli films shown in Japanese with English subtitles.
The Rooftop Montalbán 1615 N Vine St. Los Angeles 90028
Rooftop Movies at The Montalbán are in full swing for the 2025 season. Outfitted with a bar, concession stand, and kitchen, The Rooftop provides a spectacular open-air movie theater experience. Each cinematic evening under the stars commences when doors open at 6PM, with the feature film starting 10 minutes after sunset. Guests enter through the main entrance located on Vine. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Melrose Rooftop Theatre 603 N La Cienega Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Melrose Rooftop Theatre (MRT) returns Fall 2025 with screenings starting in October, rotating through an extensive movie catalog consisting of cult classics and new releases alike. Located on the rooftop of E.P. & L.P., the cinema utilizes wireless technology, with each guest receiving individual headsets and a personal beanbag chair to maximize the complete cinematic experience. Can’t wait until October? MRT is rolling into summer with the return of the Melrose Rooftop Roller Rink. This 21+ open-air skate experience brings retro vibes, skyline views, and signature cocktails to the rooftop.
Movie Night on the Field Dodger Stadium 1000 Vin Scully Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012
Celebrate the dog days of summer at Dodger Stadium with movie screenings on the DodgerVision videoboards. Enjoy a variety of pre-show activities including special photo opportunities, pitching in the bullpens, behind-the-scenes tours of the Pressbox, specialty concessions, and much more! Select concessions will be open throughout the event, with movie-style food and beverage items available for purchase. Food is permitted from outside the stadium provided it is in a clear bag no larger than 12″X12″X6″ and not in glass bottles, cans, coolers, glass containers or thermoses. Unbroken, factory-sealed plastic bottles of non-alcoholic beverages of 1 liter or less are permitted.
Poolside Movie Nights Desert 5 Spot The Hollywood VOLUME 6516 Selma Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Enjoy a rooftop cinema experience like no other. This summer, CINEHAUS is taking over the effortlessly cool Desert 5 Spot, transforming the space into an open-air movie house with sweeping Hollywood views, craft cocktails, snacks, and live music to keep the vibe going after the credits roll. Born in the heart of LA, CINEHAUS is a film series built for people who love revisiting their favorite movies or finally catching iconic classics the way they were meant to be seen. Whether it’s a cult favorite you’ve seen a hundred times or a film you’ve always wanted to experience with a crowd under the stars, CINEHAUS turns every screening into something special.
Photo Credits:
Photo #1: Street Food Cinema
Photo #2 Rooftop Cinema Club
Photo #3: Street Food Cinema
Photo #4: Cinespia
Photo #5: The Hollywood Roosevelt
Photo #6: The Ford
Photo #7: The Montalbán Theatre
Photo #8: Melrose Rooftop Theatre
Photo #9: Dodger Stadium
Photo #10: Hollywood VOLUME