WNY Outdoor Movie Time: A repost of my article from the Springville Times

By Jennifer Weber

As with most events in Western New York in the summertime, you won’t find a lack of options available for entertainment. For those who love movies, how about a nostalgic, memory-making night under the stars at one of the area drive-in theaters.

Head to the nearby Delevan Twin Drive In, at 11771 Route 16 in Delevan, and take in a movie double header. Prices are $8 for adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for kids ages 4-12 and free for 3 and under.  

The Transit Drive-In located at 6655 South Transit Road in Lockport shows movies on four different screens every night of the week rain or shine. Tickets are $9 for adults (ages 12 and older), $4 children (ages 5-11) and free for children under 4 years of age. The ticket office opens at 7 p.m. during the week and at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. You will want to get there early (and enjoy a round at their miniature golf course) to avoid the long lines closer to movie time. Midnight movie tickets are available 30 minutes before show time and are only $6.

In addition to new blockbuster movies, the Transit Drive-In hosts the very popular Retro Movie Tuesday series.

  • July 11: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory/Young Frankenstein
  • July 18: Dirty Dancing/La Bamba
  • July 25: The Wizard of Oz/Twister
  • August 1: Army of Darkness/Rocky Horror Picture Show
  • August 8: Pretty in Pink/Say Anything
  • August 15: The Princess Bride/When Harry Met Sally
  • August 22: Wargames/Robocop
  • August 29: Silence of the Lambs/Something Wild

The Portville Drive-In located at1060 Olean-Portville Rd, Portville is open on all week rain or shine.  Tickets are $7 for adults (ages 12 and older) and $2 for children (ages 11 and under.) The ticket office opens at 7:30 p.m. This drive-in is nestled in the countryside of Cattaraugus County and hosts two movie screens, including one of the largest in New York State and a snack bar filled with goodies.

The Silver Lake Twin Drive-In located at 7037 Chapman Avenue in (near Letchworth State Park) Perry is open all week, rain or shine. Tickets are $8 for adults (ages 11 and older), $5 for children (ages 4-10) and free for children under the age of 3. Ticket office opens at 6 p.m., get there early to enjoy a round of miniature golf and some food from the Charcoal Corral.

Of course there are seemingly endless options for outdoor movie fun throughout Western New York and often these movies are FREE of charge. Here’s a list of just a few offered around the area. With so many options available, you have to put at least one of these spots on your Summer Bucket List.

In the City of Buffalo check out Buffalo Harbor Movies Under the Stars located at 1111 Fuhrmann Boulevard, Buffalo for a free family friendly movie every Wednesday evening.

  • July 12: Toy Story
  • July 18: Up!
  • July 26: Zootopia
  • August 2: Bee Movie
  • August 9: Wall E
  • August 16: Lego Movie
  • August 23: Shrek
  • August 30: Dory

No summer is complete without a visit to Canalside Buffalo. Check out their free movie series on Tuesday nights. Bring a lawn chair and if you’re lucky, Adirondack chairs are available for the first 100 guests.

  • July 11: Moana
  • July 18: The Sandlot
  • July 25: West Side Story
  • August 1: Trolls
  • August 8: Secret Life of Pets
  • August 15: 50 First Dates
  • August 22: Space Jam
  • August 29: Beauty and the Beast

Another free family friendly movie night can be found at Family Movie Night at Shakespeare Hill located at 199 Lincoln Pkwy, Buffalo. This series is presented by Wegmans and the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy with movies starting around 7 p.m. and is dependent on the weather forecast. Check out Shrek on July 10 and The Bee Movie on Aug. 14.

If you’re looking for movies in the park that appeal to more than families, check out Movies in the Meadow located at 84 Parkside Avenue, Buffalo behind the Parkside Lodge. This free movie series starts in August and is hosted by the Parkside Community Association.

  • Aug. 4: Secret Life of Pets
  • Aug. 11: The Natural
  • Aug. 18: Hidden Figures
  • Aug. 25: Wizard of Oz
  • Sept. 1: Rogue One

The University of Buffalo also has a free outdoor movie series on Monday and Friday nights on the Special Events Field adjacent to the Student Union on the North Campus and on Wednesday nights on the Hayes Hall lawn on the South Campus.

  • July 10, 12 & 14: Fast & Furious: The Fate of the Furious
  • July 17, 19 & 21: Ghost in the Shell
  • July 24, 26 & 28: Beauty and the Beast
  • July 31, Aug. 2 & 4: Get Out
  • Aug. 7, 9 & 11: Alien Covenant
  • Aug. 14 & 16: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales
  • Aug. 18 & 23: Wonder Woman
  • Aug. 21, 25 & 27: Guardians of the Galaxy 2

Looking for a date night? Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant located at 56 West Chippewa Street, Buffalo offers free movies in their quaint outdoor courtyard (with the purchase of dinner.)

  • July 12: True Romance
  • July 19: Austin Powers
  • July 26: Hoosiers
  • August 2: Million Dollar Baby
  • August 9: Dirty Dancing
  • August 16: The Godfather Pt. 2
  • August 23: For Your Eyes Only
  • August 30: The Departed

Closer to home you can find free family-friendly Movies in the Park at Hamlin Park, located at  166 South Grove Street, East Aurora sponsored by the East Aurora Wesleyan Church.

  • July 14: Finding Dory
  • July 21: Secret Life of Pets
  • July 28: Lego Batman Movie
  • Aug. 4: Moana
  • Aug. 11: Storks
  • Aug. 18: Trolls
  • Aug. 25: Sing

In Orchard Park, you can watch two free Disney movies this summer at the Chestnut Ridge Outdoor Movie Series located at the Chestnut Ridge Park Casino, 6121 Chestnut Ridge Road, Orchard Park. Aug. 20: Ratatouille, Sept. 16: Beauty and the Beast