Going to open-air movie theaters is perhaps one of the best things to do in the summer. The pleasure of watching a movie is combined with the joy of doing so outdoors, with Barcelona’s warm summer breeze caressing our faces. Add to that the fact that many of the city’s open-air movie theaters allow you to have a picnic, bring your own food, or enjoy a beer while watching the movie, and the experience is simply perfect.
From screens set against Gaudí’s architectural masterpieces to movie theaters in castle moats. Outdoor film series are a magnificent opportunity to discover hidden corners of the city in a different way, enjoying both the movie we’re watching and the setting where we’ve settled in to watch it.
From Wednesday through Saturday —with a lounge chair included—you can watch some of the greatest (and most varied) contemporary hits, such as *Casablanca*, *E.T.*, *Shrek*, *The Untouchables*, or *Shakespeare in Love* at the Palace Hotel.
And if you liked the idea of rooftops, here’s a list of some of the best in Barcelona so you can visit them all on these summer afternoons.
Every summer, throughout the months of May, June, and July, various outdoor screenings of feminist films will take place in different squares in the districts of Ciutat Vella, Gràcia, and Nou Barris.
This outdoor program will feature the winning films from Cortos en femenino 2025, an annual call for short films directed by women organized by TRAMA —the Coordinating Body for Film, Video, and Multimedia Exhibitions and Festivals Created by Women . You can view the full program here.
Cinema lliure a la Platja, movies with sand between your toes
A dream come true for many. Is there a better way to end a day at the beach than watching a movie without having to get up from your sarong? Cinema Lliure a la Platja has long made this dream a reality on Sant Sebastià Beach in Barceloneta, offering the chance to watch outdoor classics like *Pulp Fiction* or *Star Wars* and, whenever you like, let your gaze rest on the moon and the sea.
But that’s not your only option—the movement to enjoy Barcelona’s fresh air keeps growing. The open-air beach movie series has already expanded to beaches throughout Catalonia: Tarragona, Sitges, Tossa de Mar, and even Mallorca, with screenings in Palma, Andratx, and Pollença. The six independent and classic films that will be shown on a rotating basis can be found on the event’s website.
“Pantalla Pavelló” is the open-air film series projected directly onto the travertine of the Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, which explores the relationship between built space—its limits and boundaries—and the people who inhabit it, and how this relationship is accentuated and revealed in its fullest expression. Film and cities, urbanism, and architecture…
As it does every year, the festival’s goal is to challenge the field of architecture and promote critical thinking, inspiring, engaging, and raising awareness among the public.
You can check the schedule on the Pavelló’s website.
In its 14th edition of Pantalla BDC, running from June 25 to July 24, the city fills with outdoor screens and civic centers hosting free screenings with no reservations required, bringing contemporary cinema to every corner. Eight recent titles and a varied lineup featuring films such as *Casa en llamas*, *El maestro que prometió el mar*, and *Saben aquel* invite you to discover local talent and enjoy magical nights under the stars.
The program goes beyond the screenings themselves: twelve screens spread across the city’s ten districts, from the mysterious Plaça de Sant Felip Neri to the gardens of Vil·la Florida, passing through the Acueducto Park and the Plaça del Rey. Accessibility is another key feature, with all films subtitled and, in most cases, the option for audio description via the AudescMobile app. Civic centers such as Pati Llimona, Cotxeres de Sants, and Can Basté are also joining this cinematic journey. Check out the full schedule here.
The “Cinema a la Fresca” series at the Finestrelles Shopping Center in Esplugues features films every Saturday at 9:15 p.m. from May 20 through September 23 on the center’s food court level.
A total of 18 films. The lineup includes family-friendly films like *Tadeo Jones*, *Top Gun: Maverick*, and *Uncharted*. Admission to the series is free, and you can check out all the films and dates on the event’s website.
If there’s one must-visit among Barcelona’s outdoor movie theaters, it’s Sala Montjuïc. In the summer, as night falls, this relaxing outing has it all: a lounge chair, a gentle breeze on your face, a picnic with good company, and the chance to enjoy great movies. Fortunately, this tradition is deeply rooted in Barcelona, and there are several venues that offer outdoor cinema, but Sala Montjuïc stands out as the best and has already announced its lineup. Here are some of our picks for 2026 (movie + concert). Find the rest of the lineup here:
Cosmonits at Cosmocaixa
Forget the typical boring afternoon at the museum. The now-legendary summer nights at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum are back with a complete twist. This year, the series transforms into the Biodiversity Cosmonights, a format that turns the space into an interactive nocturnal ecosystem where you choose your own scientific adventure. The plan? Explore life in all its forms through immersive workshops—such as discovering the secrets of the microcosm at the Micrarium or dissecting flowers—step into the sensory planetarium, and laugh out loud at top-notch science comedy monologues like Ricardo Moure’s show or the talk that connects science with the Pokémon universe. A playful, fresh, and nighttime way to connect with the planet in a super-relaxed atmosphere.
