Rome’s open-air cinemas showing Italian classics, as well as contemporary international features.

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Nothing says like a movie under the stars (preferably with a in hand). This month, piazzas, and lush villas transform into open-air cinemas, showing everything from classic flicks, to kid-friendly favorites.

Read on for our top picks of outdoor flicks in the city.

From May 28th to July 12th, Rome’s piazzas are once again being transformed into a movie theater, as the free outside movie festival, “Il Cinema in Piazza,” has returned to Rome for its 11th year. Just like last year, it will be hosted in four locations: Piazza San Cosimato (May 28 – July 12), Monte Ciocci (June 6 – July 12), Casale della Cervelletta (June 4 – July 12) and Cinema Troisi. The eleventh edition of the festival offers a very rich program; special attention devoted to screenings in the original language (with Italian subtitles) honors the culture of the films by maintaining their authenticity, while simultaneously catering to the diverse tourists and residents living in Rome.

Till July 12, 2026

Piazza San Cosimato; Monte Ciocci;  Casale della Cervelletta in Tor Sapienza; Cinema Troisi

Films shown at 9.15pm

Free entry – no reservation required

Summer programming returns to the Casa del Cinema, curated by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma. The Ettore Scola Theatre, the large open-air arena immersed in the Villa Borghese Park, will host numerous free screenings.

Four film series are scheduled for June. Alongside the tribute to Ettore Scola, “Marilyn 100”, marking the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth, returns, together with a selection of films celebrating Mel Brooks’ 100th birthday.

Starting on June 14, “Via Terra” will also begin: a cinematic journey featuring directors such as Gianni Amelio, Dennis Hopper, David Lynch, Dino Risi and Ridley Scott.

Then, from July 2 to 6, the fifth edition of “Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere” will take place, with French films and special events celebrating the partnership between Rome and Paris.

until September 6, 2026

Largo Marcello Mastroianni,1 (Villa Borghese)

Films shown nightly, from 9.30pm

Free entry

The 14th edition of “Under the Stars of Austria,” a festival dedicated to the best of contemporary Austrian cinema, awaits you in the beautiful garden of the Austrian Cultural Forum. Four screenings over two weeks to present you with the latest in Austrian cinema, along with talks with directors. Reservations mandatory via email.

The Program:

June 16 – 24

Forum Austriaco di Cultura – Via B. Buozzi 113

9pm

Free entry, mandatory reservation via email at

From June 18 to September 20, the 26th edition of Notti di Cinema a Piazza Vittorio returns to Piazza Vittorio, in the .

Every evening at 9:30pm, the season’s major films will be screened on the historic outdoor screen, offering a carefully curated selection of cinematic works. This year’s programme will once again be enriched by numerous meetings with leading figures from contemporary Italian cinema, guiding audiences through the films presented.

from 18 June to 20 September 2026

Piazza Vittorio

9.30pm

€3,50-6,00

From July 2nd to 6th, the Casa del Cinema will host the fifth edition of “Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere”, produced by Lutetia and Palatine in collaboration with the Fondazione Cinema per Roma and with the contribution of Roma Capitale. The festival will open on Thursday, July 2, with a screening of Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, in the presence of French singer Clara Luciani.

The program:

July 2: The Young Girls of Rochefort, by Jacques Demy, with a special appearance by Clara Luciani.

July 3: The Red Balloon, by Albert Lamorisse, presented to the public by director Valentine Cadic

July 4: Vénus Beauté (Institut), by Tonie Marshall

July 5: Les Immortelles, by Caroline Deruas

July 6: Les Quatre Cents Coups, François Truffau’s first feature film

All screenings of “Nouvelle Vague sul Tevere” will be introduced by Aureliano Tonet, culture and entertainment correspondent for the newspaper Le Monde.

2-6 July 2026

Casa del Cinema, Villa Borghese

9pm/9.30pm

free entrance

Programme to be updated

Via Lemonia (corner Via Appio Claudio)

9.15pm

Free entrance

Cinema alle Mura, promoted by the Comitato Mura Latine, was born from the desire to create a moment of community sharing, using an inclusive space nestled in the unique setting of the Aurelian Walls. Bring your blankets and cushions, and enjoy the films seated or lying on the grass!

From June 23 to August 6th 2026

Parco delle Mura Aureliane, altezza Via Tracia

9pm

free entrance

From July 7 to 16, the fifth edition of QUO VADIS? – Cinema in the Heart of Rome returns to the Temple of Venus and Roma, with entrance from Piazza del Colosseo. Promoted by the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia and the , this year’s edition is titled “Dying of Laughter: Horror Classics Between Fear and Parody.”

The programme features ten horror classics with grotesque twists, many of which have become true cult films over the years. The screenings will be introduced by various figures from the world of culture.

Programme to be updated

7-16 July 2026

Tempio di Venere e Roma, Piazza del Colosseo

8.45pm

Free entrance, booking recommended

From July 17 to 26, the Arena Archeologica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme will once again host Effetto Notte, the free initiative by the CSC – Cineteca Nazionale.

The ten-night programme is summed up by this year’s title: “The Future is Woman: Female Perspectives in Cinema Between Freedom and Innovation.” The edition will feature films and short films directed by women, including several former students of the CSC – National Film School.

July 17-26

  Area Archeologica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Piazza di S. Croce in Gerusalemme

Every day at 9pm

Free entry

The sixth edition of the Villa Medici Film Festival returns from September 16 to 20, 2026, with almost 40 screenings taking place both indoors and outdoors at Villa Medici.

Programme to be updated

From 16 to 20 September, 2026

   Viale della Trinità dei Monti, 1

9pm

Many locations throughout Rome:

ARENA TIZIANO

From 13 June to September, 2026

Via Guido Reni, 2

9.30pm

Entry fee €5 – 4

ARENA GARBATELLA

From June 19 to September 13, 2026

Piazza Benedetto Brin

9.15pm

Entry fee €3,5 – 5 – 6

ARENA VILLA LAZZARONI

From July 6 to September 6, 2026

Via Appia Nuova, 522

9.30pm

Entry fee €3,5 – 5

ARENA NUOVO SACHER

21 June – 26 July 2026

Largo Ascianghi, 1

9.30pm

Entry fee €3,5 – 6 – 7

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