DC's Best Outdoor Screens And Drive-In Movies

by Chiara Atik · June 2, 2010

Is there any better way to spend a summer afternoon than watching a movie on a big screen, outdoors? (No.) Below, a list of the top DC(ish) spots to catch one of this summer's blockbusters, or an old favorite...--

The NoMA Summer Screen

The NoMA Summer Screen is one of those cool perks to living in a city. Each Wednesday on L Street between 2nd and 3rd, you can go watch a movie for ABSOLUTELY FREE. The year's is "The Future Is Now", so all the movie choices (Back To The Future, ET, Groundhog's Day) reflect that theme. Feel free to bring your own food, or purchase BBQ, popcorn and Italian Ice on sale. The next screening is TONIGHT, so bring your blanket and lawnchair at 7 pm to catch "Star Trek: The Wrath Of Khan".

Bengie's Drive-In Theatre

Ok, this is technically in Baltimore, not DC, but if you're going to a Drive-In, we assume you have a car, and Bengie's is definitely worth the drive: it's the biggest movie screen in the USA, and this year is its 54th Anniversary. They have pretty strict house rules (NO LASER POINTERS or RUNNING), so check those out before you make the drive. THey're currently showing Shrek Forever After and Robin Hood. There's also a snack bar and playground, so it's basically the exact same Drive-In they used in Grease (remember Danny sings "Sandy" on the swings?)

Also, admission is SO cheap! $8 per person, $4 per child.

The Family Drive-In

Also in its 54th Season, The Family Drive-In Theatre in Virginia is the closest drive-in to the DC metropolitan area, and was recently rated one of the ten best Drive-In theaters in the country. Admission is pretty cheap: $7.50 for an adult, and $3.50 for a kid, and that's for TWO movies in one night. Also, if you let them know it's your birthday ahead of time, they'll announce it over the PA system before the movie. Cute touch!

Screen On The Green

Though its future is uncertain due to Financial Problems, Screen On The Green is all set for Summer of 2010. Show up on the National Mall at dusk to watch classic movies against the stunning backdrop of the Nation's capitol. The movies this year include Goldfinger, The Goodbye Girl, 12 Angry Men and Bonnie And Clyde.