Arts and Culture

Where to Watch Movies Outdoors This Summer in Vancouver

Grab your popcorn and blanket: catch a flick at one of the city’s outdoor cinemas.

By Victoria Brzezinski-Szadzianis /

With Vancouver’s al fresco cinemas opening up for the summer season, take a chance at making the best of the warm weather by either singing along with your friends to your favourite songs from Wicked or coming back to the familiarity of your favourite childhood film (there might be a man with a characteristic hat, a very cool bullwhip and an affinity for archaeology featured in it). Here are our favourite outdoor cinemas to enjoy (and what they’re screening) this summer.

Sunset Cinema at Vancouver Civic Theatres

Photo: Vancouver Civic Theatres

This August, the Vancouver Civic Theatre sets up a giant inflatable screen outside of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and the film lineup includes cult classics such as  Indiana Jones’ Raiders of the Lost Ark and newer releases such as The Wild Robot. While the screenings begin at sundown, the entertainment starts at 7 p.m. with music by local DJs MangoSweet.

Where: šxʷƛ̓exən Xwtl’a7shn plaza at 650 Hamilton Street

When: Every Wednesday of August at dusk

What to bring: A blanket, chairs and pillows

Price: Free

Lineup:

  • Aug 6: Shrek (2001)
  • Aug 13: The Wild Robot (2024)
  • Aug 20: Indiana Jones – Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
  • Aug 27: Mean Girls (2004)

Evo Summer Cinema in Stanley Park

Photo: Evo Summer Cinema

If summer for you means biking along the Seawall, getting tanned on Second Beach or picnicking with your kids on the green lawns of Ceperley Meadow, you might enjoy this take on outdoor cinema. The Evo Summer Cinema in Stanley Park is screening films from July to August and brings back the best of the past with screenings of  Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Legally Blonde and fantasy saga the Lord of the Rings. You can also vote on an upcoming screening. 

Where: The Grand Lawn at Ceperley Meadow

When: Every Tuesday from July 8 to August 26

What to bring: A picnic blanket or lawn chair (and friends!)

Price: Free or if you want to make the most of your experience, go to the Tentree treetop VIP zone for a front-row reserved seat on a comfy, cottage-style chair (from $28.77)

Lineup:

  • July 15: The Land Before Time
  • July 22: Legally Blonde
  • July 29: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
  • August 5: You Vote!
  • August 12: Top Gun
  • August 19: The Hunder Games
  • August 26: The Lord of the Rings: the Fellowship of the Ring

Deckchair Cinema at the Polygon Gallery

Photo: Akeem Nermo

North Vancouver’s Deckchair Cinema certainly has a theme this year (think: sand-covered planets with giant worms and gravity-defying survival thrillers). Now in its fourth year, the Polygon Gallery’s outdoor cinema is releasing a series of sci-fi films to go along with its summer exhibition Star Witnesses. Enthusiasts can revisit a constellation of sci-fi cult films right under the stars. Discover David Lynch’s take on Frank Herbert’s Dune, watch Sandra Bullock’s attempt at surviving in space in Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity or catch up on Mel Brooks’ sci-fi parody Spaceballs before the release of its sequel. Each screening also includes pre-show entertainment and events like the North Shore Pride Night and live performances by Theremin Man or DJ Paisley Eva among others. 

Where: Cates Deck in front of the Gallery

When: Every Thursday from July 3 to August 28

What to bring: A blanket or a low chair (you can also reserve a picnic table in advance)

Price: $10-20 by donation (includes popcorn and the Gallery’s summer exhibition)

Lineup:

  • July 17: Gravity
  • July 24: Spaceballs
  • July 31: The Fifth Element
  • August 7: Flash Gordon
  • August 14: Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan
  • August 21: Starman
  • August 28: David Lynch’s Dune

Summer Movie Nights at the Square

Photo: Downtown Van

Trivia lovers and those who like to dress to impress can head to Summer Movie Nights. This summer, the event offers screenings of classical book adaptations Little Women and The Wizard of Oz, plus a special screening of the recently acclaimed adaptation of the famous Broadway musical Wicked. Last year’s screening of Barbie included mid-film performances, but this year promises several more surprises. To accompany the screenings, there are plenty of movie-themed activities including live music, trivia games and costume contests. The event will also have food trucks, photo booths and a DJ set. 

Where:  šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (formerly the Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza)

When: Every Thursday since July 3 to August 14 

What to bring: Seating is first come, first serve so bring your own blanket or chair

Price: Free

Lineup:

  • July 17 – Little Women
  • July 24 – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
  • July 31 – The Wizard of Oz
  • August 7 – Wicked
  • August 14 – Inception

Sunset Cinema at the Shipyards

North Vancouver’s outdoor cinemas are not just for sci-fi lovers. If you’re looking for adventure-oriented films, action-packed car chases and an early-2000s devilishly stylish Meryl Streep, head to Sunset Cinema at the Shipyards. You can lay on the waterfront’s lawn chairs, grab a snack from the concession stand and watch films like The Devil Wears Prada, The Fast and the Furious or Twilight. 

When: Every Wednesday from July 30 to August 27 

Where: Shipyard Commons

What to bring: A blanket or lawn chair 

Price: Free

Lineup:

  • July 30 – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 
  • August 6 – The Devil Wears Prada 
  • August 13 – The Fast and the Furious
  • August 20 – Twilight 
  • August 27 – Wicked