PIC CREDIT @LIFEHACKSLA
Updated: September 1, 2026
Los Angeles is the perfect city for taking movie night outside. With warm evenings stretching well beyond summer and some of the most creative screening venues in Southern California, watching a favorite film here can mean settling into a rooftop chair above Downtown LA, spreading out a blanket on the beach, lounging beside a pool or watching a classic movie inside one of Hollywood’s most famous landmarks.
Some screenings turn movie night into an entire evening with food, music and activities before the film, while others keep things wonderfully simple with a big screen, a blanket and the stars overhead. From romantic rooftop theaters to free family movie nights, here are some of the best outdoor movie experiences in Los Angeles.
Watch a Movie on a Los Angeles Rooftop
Description:
Few outdoor movie experiences feel quite as appropriate for Los Angeles as watching a film on a rooftop with the city glowing in the background.
Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA is one of our favorites. Located on the fourth-floor terrace of the LEVEL hotel in Downtown LA, the theater has comfortable Adirondack chairs and two-person loveseats, wireless headphones and fantastic views of the Downtown skyline. Arrive before the movie and you can order drinks, play lawn games and watch the sunset before settling in for the film.
Hollywood has its own rooftop movie experience at The Montalbán Rooftop Movies. The rooftop sits above the historic Ricardo Montalbán Theatre on Vine Street and combines outdoor movies with wireless headphones, food, drinks and plenty of time to socialize before the screening.
Both are particularly fun for date night or an evening out with friends. Check the current schedule before heading out since movies, admission policies and screening times change throughout the season.
Location: various
Bring a Blanket to Movies at the Park or Beach
Description:
Sometimes the best outdoor movie night is also the simplest. Pack a blanket, bring some snacks and watch a movie outside with the family.
Cities throughout Los Angeles County host free Movies in the Park programs during the warmer months. Long Beach Movies in the Park is especially fun for families, with free screenings at parks across the city along with activities that can include popcorn, bounce houses and raffle giveaways. Arrive before sunset and make an evening of it before the movie begins.
La Habra Movies in the Park is another family-friendly option, with screenings held at city parks throughout the summer. Pre-movie activities add to the fun, and concessions are typically available for purchase before settling onto your blanket for the film.
For an even more quintessential Southern California experience, take movie night to the sand. Hermosa Movies at the Beach brings free sunset screenings to the beach near the Hermosa Pier. Bring a blanket or beach chair, spend the afternoon by the ocean and stay after sunset for a movie with the Pacific just steps away.
These community movie nights are seasonal, so always check the current calendar before making plans.
Location: various
Experience Cinespia at Hollywood Forever
Description:
There are outdoor movie theaters, and then there is watching a movie after dark at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Cinespia has become one of Los Angeles’ signature movie experiences. Guests spread blankets across the lawn at Hollywood Forever for screenings of classics, cult favorites and crowd-pleasing films surrounded by one of the city’s most historic settings.
The experience goes well beyond the movie. Depending on the event, evenings can include DJs, food and drinks and Cinespia’s popular themed photo booth. Guests can also bring a picnic, making it easy to arrive early and turn the screening into an entire night out.
This one is especially fun with a group of friends, although popular screenings can get busy and tickets often sell quickly. Bring something comfortable to sit on and give yourself plenty of time before the movie begins.
Location: Hollywood Forever Cemetery, 6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Make a Night of It at Street Food Cinema
Description:
If dinner, entertainment and an outdoor movie sound like your kind of evening, Street Food Cinema combines all three.
Street Food Cinema hosts screenings at outdoor venues throughout Los Angeles, pairing popular movies with food vendors, audience activities and entertainment before the film. Instead of operating as one permanent outdoor theater, the series moves between locations and special event venues, so every screening can feel a little different.
Screenings have been held at locations ranging from museums and parks to some of LA’s most recognizable outdoor venues. Some events are also dog friendly, making Street Food Cinema one of the more flexible ways to plan an outdoor movie night with friends or family.
Check the individual event before buying tickets since locations, food, entertainment, seating rules and activities vary by screening.
Location: various
Dive Into a Poolside Movie Night
Description:
Movies are fun. Movies while floating in a pool? Even better.
During the summer, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles occasionally turns its wave pool into an outdoor theater for select Movie Nights. After a day of water slides and attractions, guests can settle into a lounge chair or grab a tube and watch the big screen from the Forgotten Sea Wave Pool. Movie Nights are offered only on select dates, so check the park’s event calendar before planning your visit.
For a more relaxing poolside experience, check ResortPass for Dive-In Movie Nights at participating Los Angeles hotels. ResortPass offers access to hotel pools and amenities without requiring an overnight stay, and select properties feature outdoor movie events where you can spend the day swimming and stay for a movie by the pool.
Participating hotels and movie schedules change throughout the season, which is part of the fun. Search ResortPass for current Los Angeles pool experiences and look for Dive-In Movie Nights or other special events when planning your day.
Location: various
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