Get ready to unfurl your picnic blankets and mark your calendars for some starlit cinematic magic, as Bryant Park’s annual free movie series returns this summer. Kicking things off on June 9th will be the 1980s classic "Pretty in Pink," inviting New Yorkers to indulge in nostalgia and contemporary delights alike. According to an announcement from NBC New York, visitors can begin claiming their grass plot at the park at 5 p.m., with films set to start at 8 p.m. each Monday night through August 11th.
The series, sponsored by Paramount+, will feature a diverse lineup of films stretching from the iconic coming-of-age film starring Molly Ringwald to the epic family saga of "The Godfather," punctuated by a Christopher Nolan sci-fi tearjerker, "Interstellar." Offering a blend of critically-acclaimed dramas and light-hearted comedies, the outdoor movie nights seem to cater to every taste, according to a lineup unveiled by Time Out New York. Amidst the summer heat, this film fest might just be the coolest spot in town.
In a statement obtained by NBC New York, the return of this beloved tradition was echoed by Bryant Park Corporation President Dan Biederman, who emphasized the community-building nature of the event. "Each summer, we see strangers become neighbors on the lawn," Biederman noted. "Movie Nights remind us how powerful simple moments, like watching a great film outdoors, can be in bringing people together."
Mondays in Bryant Park are thus poised to transform into a vibrant mosaic of movie lovers, sprawled across the lawn in a shared cinematic experience that transcends the usual trip to the theater. And for those unsure of where to set their picnic baskets and lounge chairs, Bryant Park offers an assisting hand with a helpful map on their website. In the heart of Manhattan, it's hard to find a better way to spend a summer evening, watching favorites from "Kinky Boots" to "Blades of Glory," for the price of absolutely nothing.
