Grab a blanket, or your car. Check out these outdoor films in the Triangle this summer
If there was one good thing about COVID-19 last summer, it was the revival of outdoor and drive-in movies.
Last summer led to the resurgence of the old-time practice of sitting on blankets under the stars and in the trunks of our cars to watch movies together.
While COVID-19 restrictions have subsided — those that closed theaters and limited capacity — outdoor movies are still with us this summer. From old classics like “West Side Story” and “Singin’ in the Rain” to family friendly blockbusters like “Incredibles 2” and “Spider Man into the Spider-Verse,” there’s a film for everyone.
In addition to places that regularly offer outdoor viewings, there are now a few drive-in theaters that are sticking around. Most films are free or inexpensive, making for a great family night or date night option.
Here’s a list of the outdoor showings in the Triangle. Check back for more as we update this story.
N.C. Museum of Art Summer Film Series
Museum Park Amphitheater, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh. 919-839-6262 or ncartmuseum.org
Details: Films start at 9 p.m. Gates open one hour before show time. No outside food or beverage. Food and beverages, including beer and wine, sold on-site. Bring blankets and folding chairs. No pets permitted.
Admission: Free for members and children under 6. $7 for nonmembers
July 10: The Goonies
July 17: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
July 24: Clueless
July 31: Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Aug. 7: Sister Act
Aug. 14: Singin’ in the Rain
Aug. 21: The Wiz
Aug. 28: West Side Story
Movies in the Garden
Raleigh Little Theatre, Stephenson Amphitheatre, 301 Pogue St., Raleigh. 919-821-4579 or raleighlittletheatre.org
Details: Food trucks will be on site at 7 p.m. Movie starts at 8:30 p.m. Bring your own picnic and non-alcoholic drinks. Seating rows marked off to encourage social distancing. Masks not required but encouraged in common areas and required indoors.
Admission: Pay what you can starting at $1
July 8: Sing!
Sept. 9: Dreamgirls
Oct. 7: Hocus Pocus
Movies on the Lawn
Dorothea Dix Park, Flowers Field, 2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh. 919-996-3255 or dixpark.org
Details: Gates open at 7 p.m. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Blankets and low beach chairs encouraged. Food and drinks allowed on site.
Admission: Free, but must be reserved online in advance.
July 10: Pirates of the Caribbean - Curse of the Black Pearl
July 24: Scream
Aug. 7: The Mighty Ducks
Movies Under the Stars
The Forest Theatre, 123 S. Boundary St, Chapel Hill. 919-962-0522 or chapelhillarts.org/movies.
Details: Movies begin at sundown (between 8 and 8:30 p.m.) Free parking is available after 6 p.m. Families are invited to bring chairs and snacks and to sing-along.
Admission: Free
July 29: Coco
Aug. 5: Moana
Aug. 12: Frozen II
WakeMed Movies by Moonlight
Koka Booth Amphitheatre, 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary. 919-462-2025 or boothamphitheare.com
Details: Bring blankets and chairs. Picnics allowed.
Admission: $5, kids under 12 are free.
July 23: Frozen II
July 30: Toy Story 4
Aug. 6: Guardians of the Galaxy
Bull City Reels on Wheels
Durham County Memorial Stadium, 750 Drive, Durham. dprplaymore.org
Details: Watch from your car or bring chairs to place in front of vehicle. Food available for purchase, or bring your own. Movie sound provided by speaker with FM tuner used as backup. Gates open at 8 p.m. Movies start at 9 p.m.
Admission: Free, but registration required. One ticket per parking spot.
July 16: The Croods: A New Age
Aug. 6: Mrs. Doubtfire
Family Movie Nights
Joyner Park, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest. 919-435-9558 or wakeforestnc.gov
Details: Bring blanket, chairs, snacks, bug spray and flash light. No food sold on site. Alcohol, smoking and unleashed pets prohibited. In case of bad weather, movies may move to Flaherty Park Community Center, 1226 N. White St. Call the Wake Forest Weather Line at 919-435-9569.
Admission: Free
July 24: Aladdin
Aug 7: Black Panther
Movies in the Park
Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre, 2600 Evans Road. 919-249-3400 or apexnc.org
Details: Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. Movies start at sunset, or around 8:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. No alcohol or pets.
Admission: Free
July 16: Spies in Disguise
July 24: Onward
Aug. 28: Raya and the Last Dragon
Sept. 18: Soul
Movies with Goats
Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel Hill. 919-407-1806 or springhaven.farm
Details: Watch a film with goats wandering around. Gates open at 7 p.m. Movies start at sunset, or at 8:45 p.m. Bring chairs; blankets discouraged. Outside for humans allowed, but not for goats. Wine or beer permitted.
Admission: $11.50. Must be bought in advance.
Movie titles not announced in advance to comply with licensing. Every Friday is a romantic comedy PG-13 or less. Saturday is Family night with movies that are G or PG.
DRIVE-IN MOVIE THEATERS
Triangle Drive-In
Triangle Drive In Theatre, 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., Unit 150, Raleigh (near Barnes & Noble). 919-363-4050 or triangledrive.in
Details: Gates open at 7 p.m. Movie starts at sundown. Food truck on site. Movie sound is by FM radio.
Admission: $10 for adults, $7 for children 4 to 12
July 2: Top Gun
July 3: Independence Day
July 10-11: F9 - The Fast Saga
Drive-In at Carraway Village
500 Carraway Crossing, Chapel Hill. 919-441-1685 or carrawayvillagedrivein.com
Details: First-run movies and special events. All tickets are sold per-person and must be bought in advance. Gates open one hour before showtime. Pets allowed but must stay in car. No outside food or beverages. Movie sound is by FM radio.
Admission: $12.90 for adults, $10.75 for children 4 to 10.
Through July 8: F9 - The Fast Saga
July 9-29: Black Widow
July 30: Jungle Cruise
Aug. 13: Free Guy
Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre
3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson. 252-438-6959 or raleighroaddrivein.com
Details: Open Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Lawn chairs and blankets permitted. No outside food or beverage or grills. Movie sound is by FM radio.
Admission: Tickets are $10, or $7 for children 3 to 11. Tickets are good for both movies each night.
July 2-5 and 8-9: Boss Baby 2, F9: The Fast Saga
July 14-15: Boss Baby 2, F9: The Fast Saga
July 16-18 and 21-22: Space Jam 2, The Conjuring Saga
July 23-25 and 28-29: Snake Eyes, Space Jam 2
July 30-Aug. 1 and Aug. 4-5: Snake Eyes
Aug. 6-8, 11-15, and 18-19: The Suicide Squad
Aug. 20-22 and 27-29: Paw Patrol: The Movie
This story was originally published June 29, 2021 at 12:14 PM.