Outdoor movie screenings are back and more popular than ever.

It’s summertime in D.C.  The weather’s warm, the fireflies are out, and this year, the whole city’s aglow with outdoor movie screens.  That’s right, it’s time to dust off old picnic blankets and head to the park because outdoor movie screenings are back.

Whether looking to break out some wine and sit back to an old classic or feel the summer heat with an action-packed adventure film, our full lineup of free outdoor movie screenings in the D.C. metro area is sure to provide a perfect summer evening for anyone.  And did we mention, they are all free?

DC Neighborhoods:

The screen on the Green (National Mall)

There are few things more patriotic than lounging along the National Mall, watching a good-old American classic like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (July 22) or Norma Rae (July 29).  The screen on the Green at the National Mall has become a staple of Monday night D.C. summers, and returns this year with a four-film series, to stake its claim as the most popular of D.C. outdoor screenings.  It sure is hard to compete with that Capitol view.

Capitol Riverfront: Front Flicks (Capitol Riverfront)

If you’re an all-out action-hero buff, Capitol Riverfront is the ultimate outdoor movie pick for you.  Free screenings will be held Thursday evenings from May 30-Aug 8 as part of the series “Canal Park Thursday Movies- DC Versus Marvel Comics”.  Pick your favorite superhero-flick, from The Hulk (June 27) to Batman Begins (July 11) or Thor (July 18) to The Avengers (August 1), or come out to watch them all.  (Note: superhero costumes are not mandatory).

Golden Triangle: Golden Cinema Series

Wish you could go back to the golden age of Hollywood cinema?  Now you can with Golden Triangle’s Golden Cinema Series.  On Fridays from June 7-July 12 come to the garden of The Heurich House Museum, to watch iconic American movie stars from Marilyn Monroe to Katherine Hepburn star in films such as Some Like it Hot (June 28) and Yankee Doodle Dandy (July 5).

Jane Austen Outdoor Film Series, Dumbarton Oaks, Georgetown

Whether you’re a die-hard Austen fan or just want to swoon over Mr. Darcy (we don’t blame you), head to Georgetown’s historic Dumbarton House for its first-ever Jane Austen Outdoor Film Fest.  Though free, advanced reservations are suggested, so grab a spot on the lawn now for Mansfield Park (July 10) or the ever-popular Pride & Prejudice (Aug.7).

NoMa Summer Screen (NoMa)

Make movie night a community-wide event at NoMa’s fun-loving Wednesday night screenings on the Loree Grand Field at Second and L Streets, NE.  With music, food trucks, and giveaways before the show even starts, this is one cool outdoor screening.  This year’s flicks all feature “outlaw heroes”, from the wild adventures of the young treasure-seeking Goonies (June 19) to a new take on young runaways in the recent film Moonrise Kingdom (July 17).  NoMa is also holding a separate family night outdoor screening at Sursum Corda on four select Tuesdays, with kids’ favorites such as Toy Story 3 (July 23).

Virginia Neighborhoods:

Ashburn Village’s “Movie Under the Stars”; Centerville Starlight Cinema; Cinema del Ray (Alexandria, Va.); Movies Under the Stars, Pinn Community Center, Fairfax

Need a summer activity for the whole family?  Check out any of these four Virginia outdoor movie spots for the newest kid-friendly animations, such as Disney’s Brave (Ashburn Village July 21), Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (Centerville Starlight Cinema August 3), Wreck-it Ralph (Cinema del Ray July 20), or Oz the Great and Powerful (Pinn Community Center July 19).  The kids will love seeing their favorite characters on the big outdoor screen (and we’re not judging if you like the films too).

Crystal Screen: Blockbusters (Crystal City, Arlington, Va.)

On summer Mondays after sunset, hundreds of Virginians gather at S. Bell Street for Crystal Screen’s free outdoor movies.  This year’s blockbuster-themed lineup includes The King’s Speech (June 17), Moneyball (July 15), and Inception (Aug. 19).

Mosaic District: Films in the Park

With everything from family-friendly picks, such as Back to the Future (June 7), to old favorites like A Beautiful Mind (Aug. 23), Mosaic District’s weekly Friday screenings range to please any audience.  All are welcome to bring blanket and friends to Mosaic’s Strawberry Park for a night under the silver screen.

Lake Anna Plaza: Reston; Rosslyn Summer School

You’re sure to have fun with the classic film screenings at either of these Virginia locations.  Lake Anne Plaza is going old school with a screening of Ghostbusters (July 14), When Harry Met Sally (Sept. 8), and more 80’s classics.  Meanwhile, Rosslyn Film Fest at Gateway Park is getting into the swing of summer with the theme “Summer School”.  Every Friday they’ll be playing hits such as 10 Things I Hate About You (June 28), Pretty in Pink (July 12), or Sixteen Candles (Aug. 9).

Maryland Neighborhoods:

Bethesda Outdoor Movies

For five straight nights in July (23-27), downtown Bethesda will be hosting its 9^th-annual outdoor movie series at Woodmont Triangle.  After dinner, come grab a chair, or bring your own, for a romance like The Princess Bride (July 23) or sci-fi adventure such as The Hunger Games (July 26).  All showings start at 9 pm.

Columbia’s Lakefront Summer Festival Movies

If you haven’t had time to go to a movie theater in a while or feel like you’re falling behind on the latest young-audience-friendly hits, Columbia’s Lakefront Summer Festival Movies will get you back up to speed.  With everything from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (June 21) to Les Miserables (Aug. 16) to Skyfall (Aug. 24), the summer-long showings are sure to have something you missed, or just want to watch again.

Family Meal, Frederick

Local restaurant Family Meal of Frederick invites you to go back in time with its Summer Drive-In Movie Series of 80’s classics.  Drive up for old-favorites like Teen Wolf (July 3) or Neverending Story (Aug. 14), or come in early for pre-show live sets by local bands.

Rockville Town Square: Movies on the Square

Since its grand opening in 2007, the renovated Rockville Town Square has become a lively center of community events, shopping, and entertainment.  Come see it for yourself and join in on the popular Wednesday Night Movies on the Square, featuring recent hits like The Dark Knight Rises (June 26) and Life of Pi (July 3).

Movies on the Beach, North Beach

What could be the only thing better than watching an outdoor movie in the summertime?  Watching it on the beach.  For Marylanders heading to the shore this year, be sure to check out North Beach’s Movies on the Beach series.  Bring your coolers and towels for family favorites like Madagascar 3 (June 22) or Puss in Boots (July 20).

National Harbor Movies on the Potomac (National Harbor, MD)

The National Harbor’s waterside view of the Potomac may just compete with the National Mall for most scenic outdoor movie locale.  Decide for yourself at any of their summer-long free screenings.  This year the National Harbor is featuring not one, but three series: “Animation Fascination” on Sundays through June, with animated films such as Hotel Transylvania (June 23); “80’s Classics” on Sundays in July, with timeless hits like Ghostbusters (July 21); and “Silver Screen Sports” on Sundays in August, with big-hitting films from Mighty Ducks (Aug. 4) to Remember the Titans (Sept. 1).

For a full calendar listing of all the free outdoor screenings, this summer in the D.C. metro area go to http://www.dcoutdoorfilms.com/schedule.html