The 33rd season of Bryant Park's movie nights is a great Midtown ritual - a few thousand people sprinting onto the lawn the moment the ropes drop, then hours of picnicking under the skyline before the projector fires. Galaxy Quest is close to the perfect pick for it: a beloved comedy with Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman that plays hugely to a crowd shouting the lines back. Streaming it at home is a different film entirely.
What to expect
A queue forms along the park's edges well before the lawn opens, and the rush for a good patch of grass is part of the tradition. Once you are settled, the Hester Street Fair sets up food vendors on the Fountain Terrace and a bar tent near the screen sells beer and wine. The screen sits at the west end with the Midtown towers behind it.
Good to know
- B/D/F/M to 42nd St-Bryant Park or the 7 to Fifth Avenue drops you at the park
- Blankets are allowed and encouraged; chairs, tables and plastic ground coverings are not
- Arrive well before the lawn opens if you want a spot near the screen - the line forms early
- You can bring your own picnic, and the Bryant Park Shop sells blankets if you forget one
- Bags and backpacks are subject to inspection at the lawn entrances
- The park is flat and fully step-free, with accessible restrooms on site
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Common questions
Do I need a ticket?
No. Bryant Park Movie Nights are free and unticketed. You claim a spot on the lawn on a first-come basis once it opens.
Can I bring a folding chair?
No. Chairs, tables and plastic ground coverings are not permitted on the lawn. Blankets are the only allowed ground cover.
What happens if it rains?
Screenings can be cancelled for weather rather than moved indoors, so check the Bryant Park site the day of before heading over.
