On mellow Monday summer nights in New York City, as the sun starts to dip and behind the towering Midtown’s skyscrapers, the grassy lawn of Bryant Park transforms. Blankets are unfurled, snacks are shared, and thousands of New Yorkers gather with one shared goal: to escape into the starry night and enter the world of film, for free.

Welcome to the Paramount+ Movie Nights at Bryant Park, a classic summer tradition now going into its 32nd season. Featuring a towering white screen set against the leafy green of Manhattan’s most welcoming urban oasis, the beloved program continues to offer not just movies, but a full-blown cinematic ritual that reflects the heart and soul of the city.

Each season brings a thoughtfully curated cinematic lineup, and 2025 is no exception. This summer’s slate spaned from many different decades of film and genres from rom-coms, coming-of-age tales, sci-fi epics, to mobster masterpieces. Their summer lineup this year includes:

• Pretty in Pink (June 9)
• The Wood (June 16)
• Kinky Boots (June 23)
• Stand by Me (June 30)
• Good Will Hunting (July 7)
• Interstellar (July 14)
• Ghost (July 21)
• Pulp Fiction (July 28)
• Blades of Glory (August 4)
• The Godfather (August 11)

This mix of classics and crowd-pleasers means that whether you’re a devoted film enthusiast or someone just looking for a fun and relaxing evening out, there’s something for you. It’s not just a movie night but rather, it’s a cultural mosaic.

Throughout its runs for the past three decades, Bryant Park Movie Nights has hosted some truly iconic film screenings and provided viewers moments that live on in their memories acting as a cinematic rites of passage. In past seasons, legendary films such as Casablanca, The Princess Bride, and Do the Right Thing have graced the giant lawn screen, drawing from the crowd cheers, tears, and standing ovations. One notably memorable night in 2017 featured Moonlight just a few months after its historic Oscar win, a screening that drew a record-breaking crowd and left a profound hush over the park as the credits rolled. The mix of well-loved classics and relevant modern films has helped turn the iconic event from a fun summer event into a lasting part of New York City’s cultural life.

By 5:00 PM, the park is already humming. The lawn officially opens for viewers to set up their blankets at five, but early birds often arrive long before then to claim their comfy patch of grass. There is a communal energy that wisps in the air. Strangers become neighbors, couples picnic, and families play cards and games while waiting for the screen to glow to life by 8:00 PM. What is more impressive is that it’s entirely free. No tickets. No catch. Just show up, bring a blanket, bring some friends, and enjoy.

Outside food is also welcome, but for those craving something curated, the Hester Street Fair pops up on the Fountain Terrace from 4:00 to 8:30 PM, serving up some local favorites from artisanal hot dogs, dumplings, empanadas, and sweet treats. A bar tent is also set up by Stout NYC that opens at 5:00 PM, serving crisp wine, beer, and spritzes, some summer staples that perfectly complement a film under the fading light sunlight into the starry city night.

The event has grown very well beyond a neighborhood hangout. According to the Bryant Park Corporation, the park sees over 19 million visitors annually, with their Movie Nights ranking itself among its most successful and recognizable programs.

That popularity trickles down into the local economy. Vendors featured in the Hester Street Fair gain a significant bump in exposure boosting their business. Midtown restaurants, cafes, and bars also benefit from an increase in foot traffic before and after the screenings. It turns into a win-win for the community’s cultural and economic vitality.

Major sponsors for the event includes Paramount+, Vulture, HSS, and Wonder whose funding help keeps the event as high-quality as it is while ensuring it remains free and accessible to all. Films are shown with closed captions as well to ensure inclusivity for any deaf or hard-of-hearing attendees.

The event’s structure has improved a lot with experience. Security checks are swift but thorough. The park enforces a “blankets only” policy on the lawn to preserve the grass and maximize seating space. The event is also held during rain or shine, and during minor showers viewers simply move people onto gravel paths. Only the threat of severe weather would postpone the night but otherwise, the show must go on.

Even these rules serve a purpose. “We’ve honed this event to make it accessible and sustainable,” says Dan Biederman, President of Bryant Park Corporation. “What we see every Monday night is proof that when you design public space well, people will come—and they’ll keep coming back.”

The formula is simple: consistency, curation, and community. Year after year, the Bryant Park Movie Nights delivers. The films are thoughtfully chosen, the production is sharp, and the vibe is unmatched.

However, the true secret to the event’s success is the people. From the blanket-layering regulars to wide-eyed newcomers, it’s the crowd and the people’s turnout that transforms these Monday nights into magic.

Beyond the entertainment, Bryant Park Movie Nights serve as a cultural hallmark. It reminds travelers and  New Yorkers that within the city still resides a long lasting grit for joy, resilience, and togetherness. In a time when digital distractions and modern smart devices often keep people apart, this unplugged and raw experience fosters something rare today: raw human presence. Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers, reacting in real-time to stories on screen, movie viewers are rediscovering a kind of communal intimacy that only public, shared events had to offer.

So whether you are a local looking to reclaim your weeknights or a traveler seeking an unique NYC moment, pack your blanket, bring a snack, and find your spot on the grass and when the sun starts to slowly goes down and the first scene flickers to life, you’ll remember why we, the people, still come together to watch movies. Not just for the film itself, but for the community we bring out in each other.