Movies Under the Stars turns ordinary Queens playgrounds into open-air cinemas, and this Elmhurst screening lands near the end of the season when the evenings have finally cooled. How to Train Your Dragon is the rare family animation that plays as well for adults, and the setting on Broadway puts some of the best Thai and Indonesian food in the city within a two-block walk. If you want a free evening that costs nothing but a blanket, this is it.
What to expect
Parks staff set up an inflatable screen and speakers in the playground and the audience spreads out on blankets and low chairs on the pavement and grass. It is a neighborhood crowd, heavily local families. There is no ticketing and no assigned space, so arrival time determines your view.
Good to know
- The 7 to 82nd Street-Jackson Heights or the E, F, M, R to Elmhurst Avenue both leave a short walk
- Bring a blanket or a low folding chair because there is no provided seating
- Come early if you want a spot with a clear line to the screen
- Broadway nearby is one of the strongest food corridors in Queens for a pre-movie meal
- Screenings are weather dependent and can be called off in rain
- It suits families with kids, and there is no admission or registration
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Common questions
Do I need a ticket for Movies Under the Stars?
No. NYC Parks screenings are open to anyone who shows up, with no ticket, registration or admission charge. Seating is whatever you bring with you.
What happens if it rains?
Outdoor screenings are weather dependent and can be cancelled. Check the NYC Parks events calendar the day of if the forecast looks unsettled.
Where is Moore Homestead Playground?
It sits at 45th Avenue and Broadway in Elmhurst, Queens, in the middle of one of the borough's densest restaurant strips.
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