Grab a blanket, some drinks and snacks, and watch movies at these outdoor cinemas in Montreal in the heat of summer.
Photograph: Sébastien Roy
When you're stuck in the thick humidity of a summer in the city, outdoor cinema is a great way to cool down—expecially if you're looking for cheap things to do. Whether you want to sling back a couple brews with your entertainment, or want to spend the evening outside of your living room, this is where outdoor cinemas in Montreal come in. One of the best ways to get out of the house, these pop-ups start appearing in Montreal parks a few weeks into summer and don't stop for a few months. Pack a blanket, pull up with a cooler, and enjoy.
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Organizers of the Mile End's unique diner-and-a-movie setup at Cinéma Moderne brought this project to life in the summer of 2021, where pop-up neighbourhood theatres can take place. It's a cinema on the move—this summer screening at the art gallery and public space LIVART—and also offers online screenings via its website. Drinks and sushi from Sushi Momo are on the menu, too.
An annual event in Montreal, Cinéma sous les étoiles features free screenings of films both local and international in city parks across the island. While the event remains free, moviegoers need a reservation to access the screenings of documentaries, feature and medium films, short films and web series. Each screening is followed by a panel with the filmmakers or with specialists in the subjects covered by each film.
One of Little Italy's greatest attractions during the summer—that's right, it isn't just about the restaurants!—the popular hangout spot of Dante Park holds screenings of primo Italian cinema for free! Film screening begin at sunset, and the site is accessible from 8:00 p.m. onward for anyone who wants to have a picnic as something plays. Programming for the events come from the Italian Contemporary Film Festival that's held annually in Toronto.
When is it: June 25 to September 3, 2021
Why go: Every year, the organization behind Ciné-Verdun puts on film screening pop-ups throughout the borough which four screening locations. Whether it's by the river, atop a parking garage, inside a greenhouse, or on the walls of a church, it's a great place to experience some open-air cinema in Verdun before you continue the night with a couple drinks and/or a meal elsewhere in the area. This year's screenings, however, are centralized at the parking lot of the Centre Henri-Lemieux in LaSalle; not too far from the action of Verdun, though!
When is it: July 14 to August 14, 2021
Why go: Austere documentary pieces, arthouse flicks, and adult comedies all have their charm, but what about some more family-oriented fun? Parc des Faubourgs just past the Village hosts easy-going screenings of kids movies in French, and it's all free. All you need to do is bring some seating and some snacks to make the most of it—and there's plenty of restaurants nearby if you forget to pack something.
When is it: June to August 2021
Why go: Thanks to a collaboration between the cultural organizers of Les Amis de la Culture de la Pointe and the CIty of Montréal, the parking lot outside the Pointe-aux-Trembles cultural center on the far eastern side of the island becomes an outdoor theatre. Bring your own seats, some snacks, and enjoy both big names and small (but no less artistic) titles dubbed in French.
When is it: July 10 to September 1, 2021
Why go: On the northern side of the island of Montreal is the Parcours Gouin, a cultural pavilion that hosts—among many other activities during the summer—open-air cinema experiences in French on the green of the nearby Parc de Beauséjour. It's a family-friendly collection of films that normally include the latest releases by big production companies like Disney x Pixar or Dreamworks, but everyone of all ages is welcome to go. Best of all, it's completely free!
When is it: July 4 to August 18
Why go: A great (if not the greatest) of Montreal’s French film festivals that screens with English subtitles has been known to show films at various locations throughout the city. 2021 unfortunately doesn't seem to be featuring any of this, but the festival is still slated to happen in November; once it's chilly outside, cozying up inside of a movie theatre doesn't seem like such a bad idea.
When is it: July to August Why go: Call it campy, but the cult classics found at this black and white film noir film fest that's screen outside for a month alongside the Lachine Canal? Few outdoor cinemas in the city get better than this. While they've suspended activities in Montreal for 2021, we're sure they'll be back in action next year (provided health regulations permit it) for their sixth edition. When they do, check it out at sunset in Saint Patrick Square, near the corner of Wellington and St-Patrick in the Sud-Ouest.
Hosted by Centre Benny, the NDG community centre, Movies in the Park has been providing free outdoor film screenings for over two decades. You’re liable to see films ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to cool auteur documentaries projected onto the giant inflatable screen on summer Thursdays, all on the baseball field by St. Monica School, all for free.
The West Island has its own outdoor movie festival in the summer, presented alternately in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and Pierrefonds (check online before heading out). Bring your own blankets and chairs, but there are treats on offer for free! On the roster: big-name movies the whole family will love.
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From discount box offices to big-title cinemas and indie flicks in art-houses, these are the best Montreal movie theatres.
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