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Outdoor Movies to Make a Return to Long Island City Waterfront

Outdoor movie screenings are making a return to the Long Island City waterfront–starting Saturday, July 31 (Photo: Hunters Point Parks Conservancy)

July 26, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

Outdoor movies will be making a return to the Long Island City waterfront for the seventh year this Saturday – with The Lion King (2019) kicking off the 2021 series.

The free movies, known as CinemaLIC, will be screened on a state-of-the art, 30-foot inflatable screen at Hunters Point South Park. The Manhattan skyline will provide a spectacular backdrop.

There will be three separate screenings in this year’s season. Raiders of the Lost Ark will be shown on Aug. 26 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its release, while Jaws will close out the 3-movie series on Sept. 12.

The films are all free to view and the park will be open to the public. All movies begin shortly after sunset.

The series was canceled last year due to restrictions on outdoor gatherings associated with the pandemic. This year’s season has also been shortened– with a typical series consisting of five screenings.

The movie series is being organized by the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy (HPPC), a volunteer group that oversees events and helps with the upkeep of the park. Real estate firm Nestseekers is sponsoring the screenings.

Rob Basch, president of the HPPC, said the conservancy is excited to bring CinemaLIC back to the waterfront once again.

“It has been a challenging year and a half but nothing says Summer in LIC better than an outdoor movie on the LIC Waterfront,” Basch said. “We look forward to seeing everyone’s smiling faces and our community coming together to enjoy some beautiful evenings.”

Food and beverages will be available to purchase at LIC Landing. Alcoholic drinks purchased at LIC Landing must be consumed on its premises. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted inside the park.

The websites www.cinemalic.com and www.hunterspointparks.org will provide updates on any
weather-related changes to the schedule.

The screening dates are listed below:

July 31 – The Lion King
Aug. 26 – Raiders of the Lost Ark
Sept. 12 – Jaws