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Image from Marlise Steeman

Open-air cinema in Amsterdam

As the summer sun casts Amsterdam in a dreamy glow, the time has finally come for one of our favourite seasonal pastimes: open-air cinema. Pack some popcorn in your picnic and enjoy movies by moonlight to add some al fresco fun to your summer in the city.

Films with a View at Pllek

Pllek café-restaurant outdoor cinema
Image from Pllek

Outdoor screenings at the city’s finest riverside bar are back! Films with a View takes place at Pllek every Tuesday throughout the summer. Enjoy the funniest, most moving, exciting and controversial flicks with a cocktail in hand and the sand between your toes. This urban beach promises one of the best views in the city.

Every Tuesday from May - September | Films with a View | Pllek

Cityscape Cinema

Get closer to the stars with these showings of Hollywood favourites projected on rooftop terraces across Amsterdam. While Floor17 bar, perched atop the Leonardo Hotel Rembrandtpark, is the original home base for these events, screenings may pop up at surprise elevated locations throughout the city, including Lagerwal, Vondelkerk, SUPPER, A'DAM LOOKOUT, Bar Bistro Bureau and Hotel Arena. Keep an eye on their website and social media for updates. Each event promises tasty food, killer cocktails, and crowd-pleasing movies, from romantic comedies and Disney classics to high-octane actions and sci-fi.

June - August | Cityscape Cinema (formerly Rooftop Movie Nights) | various locations

Pluk de Nacht

Pluk de Nacht film festival
Image from Cloud Mine Photography - Melanie Lemahieu

As the sun sets, sit in your deckchair, snuggle under a blanket and enjoy a slice of undiscovered cinema on the big screen. Pluk de Nacht (Seize the Night) brings not-yet-released films to Amsterdam’s summer nights at an idyllic waterside location, Het Stenen Hoofd in West. Genres range from absurd rom-coms, indie and arthouse cinema to haunting horror flicks, documentaries or animation. Many films are plucked from a star crop featured at the major international film festivals and are screened in English or subtitled.

West Beach Film Festival

West Beach film festival at Sloterplas during 24H Nieuw-West.
Image from Amie Galbraith

There’s nothing like a lakeside setting to add some drama to your cinema experience. Discover the West Beach Film Festival on the edge of Sloterplas in Nieuw West. The programmes of previous years have included live sets by some of Amsterdam’s best DJs and an eclectic mix of Dutch and English films, so there will surely be something for everyone during these 11 evenings of free waterfront movie mania.

September | West Beach Film Festival | Noordzijde 41, Sloterplas

Sunsets at Eye

Eye Filmmuseum - film museum and cinema.
Image from Ruben Hanssen

Soak up the last evening rays with a drink and a special film at EYE this summer. Once again the iconic film museum will be putting on open-air screenings in the surrounding park along the banks of the IJ River. The 2023 programme included classic and new releases, including Boy (2010, Taika Waititi) from New Zealand as the opening film Donnie Darko (2001, Richard Kelly) and a preview of Boiling Point (2021, Philip Barantini). The films are projected on a 5 x 12-meter screen and are accompanied by a short supporting act.

Movies at H'ART

Outdoor cinema at the H'ART Museum
Image from Pauline Arkesteijn

In August, the courtyard of the H'ART Museum will once again be transformed into the city's largest, most atmospheric and romantic open-air cinema. Bring a fellow movie buff and treat them to an unforgettable evening with their selection of 10 unique films. All the non-English picks will be subtitled. This year, catch titles such as Exit Through The Gift Shop, The Square and Basquiat as part of the 'Art on Mondays' programme, as well as recent cinema classics such as Dallas Buyers Club, Poor Things, Aftersun, Pretty Woman and the unmissable Mama Mia 2 Sing Along...!

August | Movies at H'ART | H'ART Museum

Pink Movie Nights - Queer & Pride

Pride & Queer flags.
Image from Jan de Ridder

As part of the cultural programming for Queer & Pride Amsterdam 2024, several squares across the city will be transformed into lively open-air cinemas. Expect a challenging and fun programme of queer cinema classics. You can bring your own snacks and drinks, and entrance is free.

July | Open Air Cinema Oosterpark (Oost)August | Open Air Cinema Mercatorplein (De Baarsjes)August | Open Air Cinema Gershwinplein (Zuid)

Bijlmerbios

Bijlmerbios film festival
Image from Hans Mooren

This three-night, open-air cinema festival in Zuidoost shows films that in some way relate to the local Bijlmer-neighbourhood community. The movies are screened in the tunnel under the tracks of the 10-meter-high Kraaiennest metro station, which has a thrumming and vibrant Amsterdam energy. Bring your own seats or show up early to snag a spot at one of the nearby restaurant terraces.

August | Bijlmerbios | Kraaiennest metro station

Cinetree Forest Film Festival

Cinetree Forest Film Festival, outdoor cinema movie in the woods Amsterdams Bostheater
Image from Jelle Draper

Set in the lush surroundings of Amsterdam Forest, the Amsterdamse Bostheater will host a succession of themed movie nights again this year. This year's programme includes Frida, Challengers and The Boy and the Heron. Order a picnic basket in advance so you can snack while you watch, then close out the evening with drinks and dancing.