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    Where to see outdoor movies in Southern California this summer
    • June 28, 2023

    With the beautiful weather in Southern California, why settle for watching a movie in a traditional indoor theater setting or streaming films at home this summer?

    The season presents the opportunity to take in a variety of films in locations like parks, beaches and even the rooftops of towering city buildings.

    For those wanting to watch everything from a beloved, kid-friendly animated feature to an adrenaline-pumping action flick, here are 10 options for catching movies under the stars this summer.

    While many of the movie series events are free, a few are ticketed affairs or require advance reservation. Check the event websites for details.

    CineMalibu screens films at a park overlooking the ocean each summer. (Photo courtesy City of Malibu)

    CineMalibu

    Perched high above the ocean, Malibu’s Bluffs Park becomes a scenic outdoor theater every summer with the city’s CineMalibu film series. Don’t phone home, but phone your friends instead and invite them to a free screening of  Steven Spielberg’s 1982 sci-fi adventure “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” on Saturday, July 15. Come back to witness an epic battle in 1984’s “The Karate Kid” on Saturday, Aug. 19. Bring chairs, blankets and money for food trucks. Alcohol is prohibited.

    When: 7 p.m. July 15; 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19

    Where: Malibu Bluffs Park, 24250 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

    Cost: Free

    Information: malibucity.org

    Cinespia

    Grab a blanket, hit the snack bar and check out some films in unique settings as Cinespia presents a variety of films all summer long at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and LA State Historic Park. Highlights include “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” on Saturday, July 1; “Fight Club” on Saturday, July 8; “Gremlins” on Saturday, July 22; “Valley Girl” on Saturday, July 29; and a double-feature with Quentin Tarantino’s “Kill Bill Vol. 1” and “Kill Bill Vol. 2” on Saturday, Aug. 19 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Movie fans can also catch “The Fifth Element” at LA State Historic Park on Friday, July 21. These events have also been known to feature surprise appearances by the film directors, producers and cast. Fans are encouraged to dress up to match the theme of the movies and there’s a photobooth on site for free keepsakes. Guests can bring in their own food, beer and wine at Hollywood Forever; outside alcohol is prohibited at LA State Historic Park, but will be available for purchase.

    When: Various nights and hours through August

    Where: Los Angeles State Historic Park, 1245 North Spring Street and Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles

    Cost: Tickets start at $20

    Information: cinespia.org

    La Habra Movies in the Park

    Family film night returns to La Habra thanks to the city’s free Movies in the Park series taking place in various city parks. The next screening is “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” at Portola Park, located at 301 South Euclid Street on Friday, July 21. The series ends with “Minions: The Rise of Gru” at Oeste Park, 2300 W. Lambert Road, on Friday, Sept. 8. And come hungry because each screening includes a free hot dog, chips and a soft drink. Candy and popcorn will be available for $1. Alcohol is prohibited.

    When: 6 p.m. July 21, Aug. 1, Aug. 18 and Sept. 8

    Where: Various city parks including: Portola Park at 301 South Euclid Street; El Centro Park at 320 East Erna Ave.; Oeste Park  at 2300 W. Lambert Road.

    Cost: Free

    Information: lahabraca.gov

    Moonlight Movies Long Beach

    Grab a chair and sit on the sand, or go inland a bit for more free flicks with this Long Beach film series. Moonlight Movies takes place at three locations in the city this summer: On the sand at Granada Beach, at Long Beach City College’s Liberal Arts Campus and Pacific Coast Campus. The next film on the sand in the series will be “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” on Tuesday, July 11 followed by “Lilo & Stitch” on Tuesday, July 25; “Top Gun: Maverick” on Tuesday, Aug. 1; “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on Tuesday, Aug. 8; and “Back to the Future” on Aug. 15  “Grease” will be screened at the LAC Campus on Thursday, July 13 and the series wraps with “Puss In Boots: The Last Wish” at the PCC Campus on Thursday, Aug. 24. Patrons can bring in their own food and snacks and local food trucks and popcorn vendors will be on-site with food for purchase. Alcohol is prohibited.

    When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug .24

    Where: Granada Beach, 4120 Ocean Blvd.; Liberal Arts Campus, 4901 E. Carson Street; Pacific Coast Campus, 1305 Pacific Coast Highway.

    Cost: Free

    Information: moonlightmoviesonthebeach.com

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    Movies Under the Stars

    One Colorado in Pasadena is a popular shopping and dining destination and this summer it’s also going to become a nice place to sit down and catch a flick and celebrate the ’90s. The series will include films like “Sister Act,” “Groundhog Day” and “Hook.” All screenings are free, but require an advance RSVP through the official website. While there will be on-site concessions, there’s VIP seating for those that show a receipt for a minimum purchase of $50 per person from the eateries and shops at One Colorado that includes the film, priority seating, popcorn, access to a candy cart and a soft drink.

    When: 8:30 p.m. Saturdays July 8, 15 and 22

    Where: One Colorado, 41 Hugus Alley, Pasadena

    Cost: Free, but must RSVP in advance

    Information: onecolorado.com

    MoVal Movies

    Moreno Valley is getting into the family-friendly film game with its MoVal Movie series, taking place at the City Amphitheater on Fridays. There’s no movie July 7, but the series returns on July 14 with “Lilo & Stitch” and ends on Aug. 4 with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Patrons can bring blankets, snacks and beverages but alcohol is prohibited.

    When: 7-10 p.m. Fridays through Aug. 4

    Where: Civic Center Amphitheater, 14075 Frederick Street, Moreno Valley

    Cost: Free

    Information: moval.org

    OC Parks’ Sunset Cinema Series

    Various parks throughout Orange County will become outdoor movie theaters every Friday night. The films are all family-friendly, free and guests can bring in their own picnic items, low-back chairs and blankets. Plus there are food trucks and a beer and wine garden open to those 21-and-older. Next up in the series is “Top Gun: Maverick” on July 7 and “Clueless” on July 14 at Yorba Regional Park in Anaheim The series wraps up with “Uncharted” on Sept. 1 and “Mamma Mia!” on Sept. 8 at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.

    When: 6 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 8

    Where: Yorba Regional Park, 7600 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim; Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange; Mason Regional Park, 18712 University Dr., Irvine; Laguna Niguel Regional Park, 28241 La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel; Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach, 33333 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point.

    Cost: Free

    Information: ocparks.com

    Rooftop Cinema Club screens movies on rooftops this summer. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Contributing Photographer)

    Rooftop Cinema Club

    Join the club and hit the roof for movies in Downtown Los Angeles, the Arts District and El Segundo. The Rooftop Cinema Club is like a picnic overlooking parts of the city with films screened on top of buildings while guests listen to the films with provided wireless headphones. There are a variety of films screening and movie times running through September. Moviegoers can catch “A Nightmare on Elm Street” on Saturday, July 1; “Everything Everywhere All at Once on Monday, July 3; and “The Sandlot” on Tuesday, July 4 at the Downtown Los Angeles location. “Ratatouille” is playing July 1; “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” on Sunday, July 2; and “Moulin Rouge” on Wednesday, July 5 at the Arts District location. In El Segundo, “American Psycho” is screening on July 1; “La La Land” on July 2; and “Inception” on July 3. Candy, popcorn, soda, cocktails and more are available for purchase.

    When: Various hours through September

    Where: Rooftop Cinema Arts District, 777 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles; Rooftop Cinema DTLA, 888 South Olive Street; Rooftop Cinema El Segundo, 1310 East Franklin Ave.

    Cost: Tickets start at $19.50.

    Information: rooftopcinemaclub.com

    Street Food Cinema

    This long-running film series turns movies into parties as it pairs screenings with food trucks, live bands, games and other activities at various Los Angeles County locations. Check out “La La Land” on Saturday, July 1 at Will Rogers State Historic Park in Pacific Palisades; “Scooby-Doo” on Saturday, July 8 at The Autry Museum in Los Angeles; “Casablanca” at LA State Historic Park on Saturday, July 15; or “Aladdin” at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia on Saturday, July 29.

    When: Various dates and times through September

    Where: Various Los Angeles area locations

    Cost: Tickets start at $22 for general admission

    Information: streetfoodcinema.com

    Riverside Movies in the Park

    Get the kids, grab some chairs, popcorn and snacks and get ready for some family fun with Riverside’s free movie series, which takes place at several city parks on Friday nights. The series starts with “DC League of Super Pets,” which is all about furry superheroes. It screens at Hunt Park on July 14. The next film is about a pair of super brothers as the new “Super Mario Bros. Movie” screens at Villegas Park on July 21.

    When: 6 p.m. Fridays July 14-Aug. 18

    Where: Hunt Park, 4015 Jackson Street; Villegas Park, 3091 Esperanza Street; La Sierra Park, 5215 La Sierra Ave.; Reid Park, 701 Orange Street; Bryant Park, 7950 Philbin Ave.; Bordwell Park, 2008 Martin Luther King Boulevard.

    Cost: Free

    Information: riversideca.gov

    ​ Orange County Register 

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