Movies and Film in NYC

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nyc, new york

New York City Guide

You don't have to be a native New Yorker to act like one—not if you use our New York City Guide. Want to seamlessly travel between neighborhoods, find the city's best pizza or learn insider tips on hotels or permanent housing? Our New York City Web Guide points you to the Big Apple’s vast array of fun activities: Visit New York’s most famous attractions, see a show, catch the big game, attend a gallery opening, spot a celebrity and much more. We also offer a Spanish-language version of the Guide.

Exploring NYC

New York covers 12,000 square acres of land, has more than 8 million residents and hosts more than ... read more »

NYC Travel

Planning and implementing your New York City travel to and from the hectic ... read more »

NYC Maps

If you’re unclear about how New York is laid out, don’t worry: Many residents of the ... read more »

NYC Taxis

Yellow taxis are about as symbolic of New York as the Statue of Liberty, and if you’re in ... read more »

NYC Public Transportation

New York City has a fantastic public transportation system, run by the Metropolitan Transit ... read more »

Walking in NYC

With the combination of bad traffic and public transit that isn’t always door-to-door, many ... read more »

Driving in NYC

You can drive your car around New York City; whether you’ll want to is another story. If you ... read more »

Bike Riding in NYC

Bike riding in New York City draws many to the streets en masse for its ... read more »

NYC Hotels

New York is an expensive place to live, and it can be an even more expensive place to visit unless ... read more »

Apartment Search in NYC

An apartment search in New York City can be a hassle, but the sites below can help ... read more »

NYC Restaurants

The city that never sleeps, or the city that always eats? Although New ... read more »

NYC Shopping

New York City shopping is like shopping in ... read more »

NYC Entertainment

Why come to New York if you plan to stay in your room all day? Since ... read more »

NYC Theater

The earliest documented performance of a play in New York was on Dec. 6, 1732 ... read more »

NYC Music Venues

We all know how to get to Carnegie Hall: Practice, practice, practice. ... read more »

Movies and Film in NYC

Not only is New York City the backdrop for some of the greatest movies ever made, it’s also full of opportunities to see those movies. No matter where you are, you’re almost guaranteed to find a New York City movie theater within walking distance. And there’s easy access to top independent and foreign films, New York City movie screenings of old classics and plenty of free flicks.

Insights for NYC Movies and Films

  • Movie screenings can often be found at places you might not expect, such as museums or libraries. For example, movie screenings at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens, are free with the $10 admission to the museum.
  • In this section, we’ve listed unconventional movie spots and places to see movies for free. If you just want to see the latest summer blockbuster, try Fandango and search for movies in your zip code.

Top Sites for NYC Movies and Films

For free New York City movies …
Sony Wonder Technology Lab, a free technology museum, offers free Saturday movies. Check the schedule and learn when and how to call to make a reservation.
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Bryant Park shows free movies on Monday nights all summer. Visit the site for the schedule, and remember that although movies start at sundown, if you haven’t got your spot reserved by 6 p.m., you may not get one. Most viewers bring blankets to sit on and picnics to enjoy while they wait.
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SummerScreen, run by The L Magazine, shows free movies on Tuesday nights during the summer at the abandoned outdoor pool at McCarren Park in Williamsburg. Check the site for a flashy promotional video and a schedule.
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Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, Queens, has a cultural festival that includes outdoor movies in the summertime. Check the site for activities and information about screenings.
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For independent film …
Film Forum is one of New York’s primary houses for independent film premieres. In addition to information about new movies, you’ll also find repertory programming, revivals, and special events such as Q&As. Check the schedule, and then buy your tickets directly from the site.
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The Angelika Film Center in SoHo shows a broad mix of independent films, and as New York’s most well-known art house, it’s a fun place to hang out before or after a film. Subscribe to the free newsletter to get information about upcoming films as well as tickets to free screenings and other discount offers.
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The IFC Center also shows independent films. The theater has a bar and restaurant, and filmmakers occasionally speak at events.  IFC also allows you to purchase tickets from the site.
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BAM the Brooklyn Academy of Music, offers new films, cinema classics and frequent guest speakers. Constructed in 1998, its four theaters have stadium seating and an excellent sound system.
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For film festivals …
The Tribeca Film Festival , although relatively young, has grown to be quite popular and equally trendy. Check the site for news, features, information on how to submit a film, and a schedule.
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The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival is the largest film festival in the world. In addition to a huge number of celebrity submissions, new independent filmmakers are encouraged to submit, and many foreign directors submit as well. The Festival is in February.
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The Film Society of Lincoln Center hosts a film festival every fall. In addition, the Walter Reade Theater screens films all year long.
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NYC Art Museums and Galleries

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NYC Nightlife

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NYC Celebrity Sightings

Hang around in New York long enough and you’re bound to see ... read more »

NYC Family Events

For all of the sophistication and culture available in New York City, ... read more »

NYC Sports Teams

If you’re a sports fan, following New York ... read more »

NYC Sports Leagues and Fitness Centers

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NYC Parks

New York City’s skyline is its thumbprint and, in many ways, its ... read more »

NYC Pet Care

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Finding NYC Doctors, Locksmiths or Other Help

It has been said that New York is the city that never sleeps. ... read more »

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