Outdoor cinema in Amsterdam
As 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.
Forest Film Festival
Set in the lush surrounds of Amsterdam Forest, the Amsterdamse Bostheater will play host to five themed movie nights this year: Elvis, Paris is Burning, Peanut Butter Falcon, Cinema Paradiso and Isle of Dogs. Order a picnic basket in advance so you can snack while you watch, then close out the evening with drinks and dancing.
27 to 31 July 2022 | Forest Film Festival | Amsterdamse Bostheater
Pluk de Nacht
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. Guests can also grab a bite to eat, a beer or cocktails, before heading on to the disco.
24 August - 3 September 2022 | Pluk de Nacht | Het Stenen Hoofd
West Beach Film Festival
There’s nothing like a lakeside setting to add some drama to your cinema experience. On the edge of Sloterplas in Nieuw West, Hotel Buiten hosts the West Beach Film Festival. 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 is sure to be something for everyone during these 11 evenings of free waterfront movie mania.
15 to 26 September 2022 | West Beach Film Festival | Noordzijde 41, Sloterplas
Rooftop Movie Nights at Floor17
Get closer to the stars with these showings of Hollywood favourites projected on rooftop terraces across Amsterdam. While Floor17 bar, perched atop Leonardo Hotel Amsterdam Rembrandtpark, is home base for these events, screenings may pop up at surprise elevated locations throughout the city, so keep an eye on their 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.
4-17 July 2022 | Rooftop Movie Nights | Floor17
Sunsets at Eye
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. This year’s programme includes 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.
24 - 28 August 2022 | Sunsets at Eye | EYE Filmmuseum
Movies at The Hermitage
In August, the courtyard of the Hermitage Amsterdam will once again be transformed into the largest, most atmospheric and romantic open-air cinema in the city. 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.
17 - 28 August 2022 | Movies at The Hermitage | Hermitage Amsterdam
World Cinema Amsterdam
One of the summer’s best movie events, World Cinema Amsterdam is a weeklong celebration of movies (including features and shorts) from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. This year’s edition has a special focus on Cuban film and takes place at De Balie and the Rialto, as well as four different open-air locations. All outdoor screenings are free of charge. Check the agenda for food, music, Q&A sessions and more.
20 - 27 August 2022 | World Cinema Amsterdam | Rialto Filmtheater and various other locations
Films with a View at 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.
July - August 2022 | Films with a View | Pllek
Open Air Cinema Mercatorplein - Pride Amsterdam
As part of the cultural programming for Pride Amsterdam 2022, Mercatorplein in De Baarsjes will be transformed into a lively open-air cinema for two dates in August. Up on the agenda is Stanley Kwan’s LAN YU - a queer cinema classic and a poignant portrait of an unexpected relationship between two men and 3 Generations about a New York teen struggling with her gender identity who tries to find her biological father to sign the papers for her sex change. You can bring your own snacks and drinks and entrance is free.
3 - 4 August 2022 | Open Air Cinema | Mercatorplein
Bijlmerbios
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.
September 2022 TBC | Bijlmerbios | Kraaiennest metro station
