Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell & More - Boston 2026

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Dates:	Friday, July 10, 2026 - Friday, August 21, 2026
Hours:	Hours Vary see below
Ages:	Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free
Category:	Seasonal Fun

free friday flicks at the hatch shell more - boston 2026 photo

Free Friday Flicks are classic & popular, family-oriented movies shown each Friday night in Boston throughout the summer at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade at no cost for over 25 years!

Pack up a blanket, lawn chair and picnic for FREE movies under the stars. All movies begin at sundown.

**Movie weeks start with WBZ Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell, and play through the week at the following locations.

2026 Schedule

Here's the updated schedule formatted to match the existing BostonCentral page structure:

🎬 Hatch Shell Movie Calendar – Summer 2026

Fri, July 10 – 🎭 Hamilton (2h 40m) (Esplanade only)
Fri, July 17 – 🧱 The Minecraft Movie (1h 41m)
Fri, July 24 – 🦊 Zootopia 2 (1h 48m)
Fri, July 31 – 🌺 Lilo & Stitch (1h 48m)
Fri, August 7 – 🐉 How to Train Your Dragon (2h 5m)
Fri, August 14 – 🍄 The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Fri, August 21 – 🦸 Superman (2h 2m)

ADDITIONAL MOVIE VENUES, DATES & MOVIES

📍 Salisbury Beach (Saturdays – July/August)
July 18 – The Minecraft Movie
July 25 – Zootopia 2
August 1 – Lilo & Stitch

📍 Sylvester Baxter Park (Saturdays – August)
August 8 – How to Train Your Dragon
August 15 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
August 22 – Superman

📍 Breakheart Reservation, Saugus (Tuesdays – July/early August)
July 21 – The Minecraft Movie
July 28 – Zootopia 2
August 4 – Lilo & Stitch

📍 Red Rock Park (Tuesdays – August)
August 11 – How to Train Your Dragon
August 18 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
August 25 – Superman

📍 Castle Island, South Boston (Wednesdays)
July 22 – The Minecraft Movie
July 29 – Zootopia 2
August 5 – Lilo & Stitch
August 12 – How to Train Your Dragon
August 19 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
August 26 – Superman

📍 City Square Park (Thursdays – July/early August)
July 23 – The Minecraft Movie
July 30 – Zootopia 2
August 6 – Lilo & Stitch

📍 Houghton's Pond, Milton (Thursdays – August)
August 13 – How to Train Your Dragon
August 20 – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
August 27 – Superman

For more information or cancellation due to weather, call the Free Friday Flicks Hotline: 617-787-7200 or visit wbz.com

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter for a great list of family-friendly events to check out in Greater Boston each week.

HOURS

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Activities begin at 6:00PM
Movie starts at dusk

WEBSITE

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www.mass.gov/info-details/dcr-movies-in-the-parks

LOCATION

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47 David G Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02108, Boston, MA map
Phone: (617) 787-7200

Using Public Transportation:
Take Red Line to Charles (Street)/MGH station or the Green line to Arlington station. Walk down Arl ington St. toward Beacon St. & cross Beacon St. You will see the big Arthur Fiedler Walkway in front of you. Walk across the walkway and the Hatch Shell is on your right.

Directions to the Hatch Shell
Heading North on 93:
Take Storrow Drive (exit 26) Get in the right lane shortly after exiting the Storrow Drive tunnel. Hatch Shell will be coming up on your right.
Heading South on 93:
Take Storrow Drive (exit 26A). Follow the exit to the traffic light. Take a left @ at the traffic light. At the next Traffic light ( @ Leverett Circle) enter Storrow Drive West Bound. Hatch Shell will be coming up on your right.

From I-90, The Mass Pike...
Take the Mass Pike I - 90 to the end and follow the directions above for heading North on 93.

TIPS

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Find more Summer Movie Night venues in Boston

REVIEWS

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Great time journey 2 with the rock

we took the kids last nite to FFF and it was fabulous. we had the best nite in forever... thank you so much and thank all who made free friday flicks happen.... I told all 1600 people on my facebook page so i expect atleast 20 new people will be with me next friday

Best Family time

Loved it! Free parking is blocked off right at 7:30, and you have to get there right when it opens to get a spot. Games and trivia for prizes before the movie kept my kids captivated...free food samples (soda, chips, salad) were great, too. My son won a 4-pack of whale watch tickets at one of the games - perfect night. I love that we can enjoy a no-cost night of entertainment for my kids and their friends.

Great Evening

This is the best way to enjoy a movie with your family on Friday night. There is usually a trivia contest or local entertainment before the movie and the movies are usually apropriate for all ages. The city closes down the right lane of Storrow drive and uses the lane for parking, so your car is usually only steps from the Hatch shell.

Friday Night Flicks

they are a great family outing BUT the parking is horrible! We had to miss the Wizard of OZ because of parking and we planned this 3 weeks in advance. Also when you are a single mom with 1 or 2 children and the wizard of oz is a long movie walking back to the parking is dreadful and safety is always an issue.

Cool

Totally love the Friday night movies. Really cool and entertaining for all ages!