Movies Under the Stars: Late Summer Film Screenings Around the Bay Area

Summer may be winding down — at least for the Bay Area’s kids returning to school — but you still have many opportunities to watch movies under the night sky well into the fall.

San Francisco’s beloved open-air film series, Sundown Cinema, may have been canceled earlier this year, but several cities are still hosting their own free outdoor film programming. Keep reading for our roundup of the select shows happening in the coming months.

• Jump straight to: Pro tips for attending an outdoor movie screening in the Bay

Outdoor movie screenings in August

Aug. 14: Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire at Courthouse Square in Redwood City

Aug. 15: 10 Things I Hate About You at Thrive City in Chase Center, San Francisco

Aug. 15: The Wild Robot at Rengstorff Park in Mountain View

Aug. 15: Moana 2 at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa

Aug. 15: Inside Out 2 at Fernandez Park in Pinole

Aug. 16: Mrs. Doubtfire at Union Square Plaza in San Francisco. While the film starts at 8 p.m., there will be a pre-show (and a Mrs. Doubtfire look-alike contest) at 6 p.m.

Aug. 16: Clueless at Jack London Square in Oakland

Aug. 21: Clueless at Courthouse Square in Redwood City

Aug. 22: Mufasa at the Alameda Point Multipurpose Field in Alameda

Aug. 22: Inside Out 2 at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa

Aug. 22: A Minecraft Movie at Kennedy Park in Union City

Aug. 28: Argylle at Courthouse Square in Redwood City

Aug. 29: Up at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa

Outdoor movie screenings in September

Sept. 5: Superman (2025) at Oracle Park in San Francisco (which is a ticketed event, costing around $28.)

Sept. 5: Wicked at Willard Park in Berkeley 

Sept. 5: A Minecraft Movie at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa

Sept. 5: Inside Out 2 at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley

Sept. 12: Inside Out 2 at Codornices Park in Berkeley 

Sept. 12: Mufasa at Howarth Park in Santa Rosa

Sept. 12: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at Meek Estate Park in Hayward

Sept. 13: Coco at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco

Sept. 19: Encanto at Old Alvardo/Cesar Chavez Park at Union City

Sept. 20: Big Hero 6 at Union Square Plaza in San Francisco. While the film starts at 7:30 p.m., The Walt Disney Family Museum will be hosting art activists for audiences at 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 26: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 at the Alameda Point Multipurpose Field in Alameda

Throughout September and October, San Francisco’s Proxy Film Festival on Octavia Street is featuring a series of movies that are yet to be announced on Fridays.

Outdoor movie screenings in October and beyond

Oct. 3: Little Mermaid (2023) at Old Mill Park in Mill Valley

Oct. 4: The Birds at Union Square Plaza in San Francisco. (The Union Square’s website adds, “Did you know the opening scene is filmed in Union Square?” This writer did not!)

You can expect more scary movie screenings to be announced for Spooky Season closer to the time.

Plus, watch for the 2025 lineup announcement for Floating Features: the Roxie Theatre and Red and White Fleet’s series that offers the chance to watch a movie on the top deck of a boat — as it sails around the Bay.

Watching movies outdoors in the Bay Area: Tips for first-timers

These movies usually start just after dusk, around 8 p.m. or 7 p.m. in the later months, so audiences can see the projected screen as clearly as possible. It’s a good idea to get to the “theater” early to secure a good view of the screen. Most screenings do not require a ticket or reservation, but check their website in case they do require some notice.

Before heading out to any show, be sure to check the weather and see if the screening will continue in the event of rain or other disruptive weather.

For the comfiest experience, bring picnic blankets, a sweater and (non-crackling) snacks. A camping chair could offer you the most comfort, but be mindful you’re not blocking anyone’s view of the screen with your setup. Remember that some venues may also discourage — or outright prohibit — pets or alcohol.

If you are seeking captions for an outdoor movie, you may need to contact the city’s parks and recreation department at least two days in advance.

And don’t forget these other options for outdoor movies…

Dinner and a show at Foreign Cinema

For a fancier option, Foreign Cinema in San Francisco’s Mission District offers dinner accompanied by an outdoor movie screening, projected onto the wall of their covered patio.

The catch is that you likely won’t hear much — if any — sound during the movie, but in this reporter’s opinion, the vibes are still good.

The drive-in theater option

Curling up in the comfort of your car at the classic drive-in theater is a retro way to catch a newly released movie under the stars.

The Bay Area has two major West Wind drive-in theaters in San José and Concord, as well as Sacramento. According to its website, the theater is open even if it is raining.

If you’ve never been to a drive-in theater, West Wind has a Frequently Asked Questions section on its website. A major tip is to keep your headlights off, and if you have a larger car, like an SUV, park closer to the back of the lot so you aren’t obstructing other people’s views. Your car battery isn’t likely to die during the movie, but West Wind does offer a complimentary jump-start in the case that it does go down during your time at the theater.