Outdoor summer movies around Metro Vancouver: Here’s where to watch

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Municipalities across Metro Vancouver are increasingly embracing the fun of open-air movie nights at parks and plazas, a cheap or even free way for a family night out.

Here’s a roundup of some of the outdoor movie events ahead this summer. We’ll keep tabs on any additions and update this post regularly:

Vancouver

Stanley Park

Evo Car Share and Fresh Air Cinema are behind what is probably the biggest movie night series in the Lower Mainland at Stanley Park.

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The events feature a 40-foot screen in Ceperley Meadow, above Second Beach. Seating is free on a first-come, first-served basis on the grand lawn that can hold thousands. Or you can pay $20 each for 200 reserved Adirondack chairs in a VIP section up front.

Another way to snag VIP seats is to reserve a table at one of seven participating West End restaurants. Have dinner, show your receipt and you’re all set.

Here’s the summer lineup (all showings on Tuesday nights just after dusk as indicated):

• July 4, sunset 9:20 p.m.: Bring It On! (PG, 98 min.)

• July 11, sunset 9:16 p.m.: The Super Mario Bros. Movie (G, 93 min.)

• July 18, sunset 9:16 p.m.: 10 Things I Hate About You (PG, 93 min.)

• July 25, sunset 9:02 p.m.: Jaws (PG, 124 min.)

• Aug. 2, sunset 8:52 p.m.: The Wedding Singer (PG, 95 min.)

• Aug. 8, sunset 8:41 p.m.: The Birdcage (PG, 118 min.)

• Aug. 15, sunset 8:29 p.m.: Shrek (G, 90 min.)

• Aug. 22, sunset 8:16 p.m.: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (PG, 143 min.)

More information is at summercinema.ca.

Art Gallery Plaza

Summer movie nights return to šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery north plaza) this year, hosted by the Downtown Van BIA.

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The seven Thursday night screenings are all free and family friendly, with the films playing on a 16-foot inflatable screen right at sundown. Before they begin, people can gather in the plaza after 5 p.m. for face painting, dancers, circus performers, DJs and minigolf.

Here’s the lineup (all showings on Thursday nights just after dusk as indicated):

• July 4, sunset 9:20 p.m.: Barbie

• July 11, sunset 9:16 p.m.: The Devil Wears Prada

• July 18, sunset 9:16 p.m.: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

• July 25, sunset 9:02 p.m.: The Princess Bride

• Aug. 1, sunset 8:49 p.m.: Mamma Mia!

• Aug. 8, sunset 8:41 p.m.: Knives Out

• Aug. 15, sunset 8:29 p.m.: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

More information is at dtvan.ca.

Burnaby

The City of Burnaby is hosting four summer movies in two locations through August. All are free and all screenings start at 8:15 p.m.

Confederation Park, 250 Willingdon Ave.

• Friday, Aug. 2: Mean Girls

Civic Square, 6100 Willingdon Ave.

• Friday, Aug. 16: Barbie

• Friday, Aug. 23: Wonka

• Friday, Aug. 30: Sonic the Hedgehog 2

More info at burnaby.ca.

North Vancouver

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The city is hosting free sunset movies in three locations this summer, starting with the Civic Plaza, then the Shipyards, then a finale in Ray Perrault Park. All start at sundown.

Civic Plaza, 126 14th St. W.

• Friday, July 12: Wonka

• Friday, July 26: Trolls

The Shipyards (at the SeaBus terminus)

• Wednesday, July 31: Barbie

• Wednesday, Aug. 7: The Princess Bride

• Wednesday, Aug. 14: Top Gun: Maverick

• Wednesday, Aug. 21: Finding Nemo

• Wednesday, Aug. 28: Pitch Perfect 1

Ray Perrault Park

• Friday, Aug. 9: The Incredibles

Surrey

The Downtown Surrey BIA hosts three nights of family fun and summer movies in Holland Park in August. The events are free, including popcorn while supplies last and a paid concession for hotdogs and drinks with proceeds to the local Lions Club. The family events start at 6 p.m. with screenings when it’s dark (shortly after 9 p.m.).

• Saturday, Aug. 3: The Bad Guys

• Saturday, Aug. 10: Wonka

• Saturday Aug. 17: Barbie

Langley Township

Two decades of nostalgia come to a close this summer as the Twilight Drive-In has announced this will be its last season.

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While these aren’t free, they’re the last chance for an old-fashioned drive-in movie experience in Metro Vancouver for the foreseeable future. For more on dates and pricing, go to the Twilight Facebook page.

Several other communities across B.C. will be hosting sunset movies on select summer nights. For more on those, visit the Outdoor Movies B.C. Facebook page.

• Do you know of other free screenings planned for Metro? Email vantips@postmedia.com with details.

jruttle@postmedia.com

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