It’s been a long spring and summer as we’ve sheltered in place to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but cooler weather is on its way and it’s time to catch up on some summer fun before the season is over. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly flick or a date night movie and you want to maintain social distancing, D.C. outdoor movies or drive-in theaters are an exciting way to stay safe and spend time with family and friends.
The Greater Washington, D.C. area — including Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware — is home to both drive-in and outdoor movie events to enjoy while adhering to COVID-19 guidelines. This guide will help you find some of the best locations in the region, and what to expect from an outdoor movie (in case you’ve never been to one).
Discover the Best Outdoor and Drive-In Movies in D.C.
- Outdoor Movies vs. Drive-Ins: Outdoor movies are a more recent concept, where you watch films on large screens or even the sides of buildings, while drive-in theaters offer a nostalgic experience of watching films from your car.
- Outdoor Movie Tips: Bring a blanket or two (one for sitting and one for warmth), arrive early to grab a good spot, and enjoy food from nearby trucks or bring your own picnic.
- Drive-In Movie Tips: Arrive early to find parking, check ahead for concession options, and pack a cooler with snacks if necessary.
- Park Up DC: A temporary drive-in at RFK campus offering movies like Moana, Black Panther, and Men in Black through October 31st.
- Union Market: A pop-up drive-in hosting movie nights where you can bring your food or buy from local vendors; tickets are available online.
- Bengie’s Big Screen: Located in Middle River, MD, it has the largest screen in the U.S. and offers triple features on weekends; no outside food allowed.
- Tysons Corner Center Drive-In: Enjoy family-friendly films in the Tysons Corner parking lot with a $10 donation benefiting local nonprofits; reserve tickets online.
- The Boro Tysons Movie Night: Enjoy family movie nights in Tysons Corner on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays in the parking lot across from The Boro.
- Films at the Stone: Hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation, these family-friendly outdoor films are shown at sunset or 8:30 PM.
- Socially Distanced Fun: Drive-in and outdoor movies offer a safe way to enjoy entertainment during the pandemic, all while maintaining social distancing.
Drive-In Movies Versus Outdoor Movies
The outdoor movie is a more recent concept. You can probably remember the first you heard about Bethesda Outdoor Movies and thought it’d be a cool idea to take a blanket and toss it on the ground to watch the latest film series or family-friendly movie. However, outdoor movies date back to the first part of the 1900s and was inspired by drive-in movies.
On a beautiful night, you and your family, friends, or a date can spread a blanket on a soft layer of grass to watch a movie on a large outdoor screen. Some outdoor movies use the sides of buildings as a screen. A few tips:
- It’s always a good idea to get there early to find a good spot.
- You need to bring a blanket or two, one for the ground and the other to wrap up in if it gets chilly during your movie.
- You can usually find a couple of food trucks nearby with a selection of gourmet treats or pack your own picnic dinner.
Drive-in movies first became patented in the 1930s, but didn’t become really popular until the 1950s and 60s when the baby boomers flocked to the drive-in movies each weekend. Their popularity waned in recent years until the pandemic made them one of the only options for watching films outside the home. You simply find a parking space in front of the huge projector screen, tune into a provided radio station, and listen to the movie through your car speakers.
A few drive-in tips:
- It’s always a good idea to get there early to find a good spot.
- Some drive-in theaters have concession stands but not all. You might need to pack a small cooler and snacks.
- It’s a good idea to do your homework on concessions ahead of time so you have your favorites to enjoy while you lay back in your seats and watch the film.
Where to Find the Perfect Drive-Ins and Outdoor Movies in Washington, D.C.
Whether you want to see the latest family-friendly movies or a romantic comedy for date night, there are many drive-in movies and outdoor movies in the area from Virginia to Maryland. Here are the most popular spots to catch a movie screening:
D.C. Drive-In Theaters
Park Up DC — Washington, D.C.
Broccoli City and Events DC has set up a drive-in theater on the RFK campus for a few months. You can watch movies on a 45-foot LED screen through October 31st, and the theater is offering double features of popular films like Moana, Black Panther, and the Men in Black. You can find tickets and showtimes online.
Union Market — Washington, D.C.
Union Market has started hosting movie nights again with its popup drive-in. You can choose your movie — like 42 or The Avengers — and bring food with you or treat yourself to a snack from one of the food trucks or vendors. Reserve your tickets online before you go.
Bengie’s Big Screen — Middle River, Maryland
Bengie’s offers a triple feature every Friday and Saturday night. This drive-in theater has the biggest screen in the United States. Its COVID-19 policy requires that you purchase tickets online for all showings (with a few minor exceptions). You can’t bring your own food to this drive-in, but it offers a concession stand with a full menu.
Tysons Corner Center Drive-In — Tysons Corner, Virginia
When you’re done shopping at the Tysons Corner Center, stay for a family-friendly movie! You can find a spot in the parking lot and enjoy a movie starting in the middle of August. The event is taking up a donation of $10 or more with all proceeds going to a local nonprofit. You need to reserve your spot online to ensure a parking space.
The Boro Tysons Movie Night — Tysons Corner, Virginia
In the parking lot across from The Boro, you and the whole gang can enjoy a family drive-in movie night. Take your family to your favorite movie series on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday nights.
D.C. Outdoor Movies
Films at the Stone — Washington, D.C.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation is hosting family-friendly movies on an outdoor screen starting at sunset or 8:30 pm this summer. You and your family can visit this historic site for Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr, then stay for an outdoor movie under the stars. You can even take the Metro to avoid having to park.
Drive-in or outdoor movies can make for fun ways to break the COVID-19 boredom and have fun new experiences. The options are popping up all over the Greater D.C. area during the warmer months, meaning you can opt to socially distance in style while viewing a favorite film or catching up on one you missed. We love sharing our knowledge of all the cool things there are to do in the Washington, D.C. area and beyond. Are you looking for a new apartment in the D.C. area? Contact us to speak with a leasing expert and schedule a tour today.
FAQs on D.C. Outdoor Movies and Drive-Ins
What is the difference between outdoor movies and drive-in movies in D.C.?
Outdoor movies are a more recent concept, where films are shown on large screens or even on the sides of buildings, while drive-in theaters allow you to watch films from the comfort of your car. Both offer unique ways to enjoy movies with social distancing in mind.
What should I bring to an outdoor movie in D.C.?
It’s recommended to bring a blanket or two — one for sitting on the ground and another for warmth in case it gets chilly. Arriving early to grab a good spot is also a good idea. You can enjoy food from nearby food trucks or pack your own picnic.
What are some tips for attending a drive-in movie in D.C.?
Make sure to arrive early to secure a good parking spot. Some drive-in theaters have concession stands, but not all of them, so it’s a good idea to pack a cooler with snacks. Check ahead for food options at the drive-in before you go.
Where can I watch movies at Park Up DC in Washington, D.C.?
Park Up DC is a temporary drive-in located at the RFK campus, offering double features of popular films like *Moana*, *Black Panther*, and *Men in Black*. This drive-in is open through October 31st, and tickets are available online.
What can I expect at Union Market’s drive-in movie nights?
Union Market hosts a pop-up drive-in where you can choose from movies like *42* or *The Avengers*. You can either bring your food or enjoy snacks from local vendors and food trucks. Be sure to reserve your tickets online before you go.
What is special about Bengie’s Big Screen Drive-In in Maryland?
Bengie’s Big Screen, located in Middle River, MD, boasts the largest screen in the U.S. It offers triple features every Friday and Saturday night. You cannot bring your own food, but a concession stand with a full menu is available. Tickets must be purchased online.
What can I expect from the Tysons Corner Center Drive-In?
The Tysons Corner Center Drive-In offers family-friendly films in the shopping center parking lot starting in mid-August. A $10 donation is required, with all proceeds benefiting a local nonprofit. You must reserve your spot online to ensure parking availability.
What is The Boro Tysons Movie Night?
The Boro Tysons Movie Night is a family-friendly drive-in event held in the parking lot across from The Boro in Tysons Corner. Movie nights take place on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, offering a great way to enjoy films with the whole family.
What is Films at the Stone in Washington, D.C.?
Films at the Stone is a series of family-friendly outdoor movies hosted by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Foundation. The films are shown on an outdoor screen starting at sunset or around 8:30 PM, providing a unique movie-watching experience in a historic setting.
Are drive-in and outdoor movies a good way to maintain social distancing in D.C.?
Yes, drive-in and outdoor movies are great options for maintaining social distancing while enjoying a movie. They offer a safe way to have fun and get out of the house during the pandemic, allowing you to watch films with friends or family while adhering to safety guidelines.
