Screen on the Green

I’m not sure how I never reviewed Screen on the Green before, but I apparently haven’t! I’ve gone to Screen on the Green twice now (once when I was a young DC intern over half a decade ago, and 2 summers ago with my now fiancé). Screen on the Green has been a DC tradition for as long as I can remember. The film screenings take place on the National Mall with a backdrop of the Capitol building and all the various Smithsonian museums and the Washington monument behind you. They start in July ish and go until August, with screenings once a week (Mondays, I believe). There are limited port-​a-​potty bathrooms and the closest restaurants are in Chinatown /​Penn Quarter, so go prepared! I’d recommend bringing blankets and other things needed to lay down on the grass to watch the movie. I definitely enjoyed it a lot and will certainly visit again in the future!

The reason for the ‘meh’ selection of two piddly stars has a history. The whole «not being allowed to drink openly in DC» thing is a bit of a draw-​back for me. especially when you bring your picnicking wares like ya blanket, ya cheeses, ya salami (roll), ya grapes, ya dates, ya chips and ya jerkey and ya aren’t supposed to drink ya wine! One can always perform the classic gatorade bottle trick, but we’re all adults here, who wants to pull that schenanigans anymore? All i’m saying is that however unnecessary the no open container rule is, it would be nice to be able to imbibe freely along with the screening.
The movies start promptly at dusk, so that means that during the summer when this runs, it could be anywhere from 8 – 9 so be ready to trek home around 10:30 or 11. If there is a rainy evening, the movie is not rescheduled! This past monday, which was supposed to be the last running movie (Back to the Future) was canceled and no rain check was made for this monday. Disappointing, to say the least.
There is a little tradition that happens before every movie starts on the green, and I will not divulge what it is if you do not know. you will find out, and most likely love it.
In conclusion, go and check it out, bring a picnic and some chairs or a blanket to sit on, bug spray, and secretive libations if you are trying to take it there. No use getting a talking to from one of the security guard cops roaming the mall.

Went and saw the Alred Hitchock Psycho here. It was fun, but beware of the amount of people — you may feel overcrowded if you don’t reserve enough of the grass around you with some blankets. Also, be prepared and bring your own food, cooler and some chairs or you WILL get uncomfortable sitting on the ground for so long. I also wish they had a more current selection of movies. However, seeing Psycho again after so long was fun and if I had been more prepared it could’ve been a really fun boozy afternoon with some friends.

I’m a huge Screen on the Green fan and I absolutely adore the one in DC.
They pack in the National Mall lawn with tons of people and a legit large screen.
You get a great view of the Washington Monument along with Capitol Hill in the back and front of you.
What you need to bring:
–yourself and buddies if you like!
–picnic foods and drinks (cuz sharing is caring!)
–a blanket to sit on /​or chair (no tents!)-a light sweater as it does cool off towards the end of the night
–sunblock
–bug spray
This event is free and occurs every Monday night. Movies start around 8pm, but people start packing up the place around 5:30pm.
And yes, you DO have to get up and dance at the intro! JK hehe =) Only everyone else does it! =)
Enjoy! =)

Such a wonderful summer tradition. Get here early if you want a specific spot. Other wise you can get there as late as 8 o’clock and sit almost anywhere. Just beware that it might get ‘cozy’ if you come late. There really is no bad place to sit unless you have the misfortune of sitting behind someone who bought a lawn chair which you’re not supposed to bring.
Best way to get there is Metro. You can drive but don’t expect to find any good spots until after 7 PM. Again If you want to get there early take the metro. The movie starts at sun set (around 8:30 pm) but it could also start later. They play music over loudspeakers while you wait for the movie to begin. I was there early so I was able to meet /​socialize with the people sitting next to me. Expect that to happen if you don’t already know them.
For the most part everyone is pretty friendly I’ve never ran into any rude people. Pets food and alcohol are okay!

Summer evening with cool-​ish breeze and a large screen showing a wonderfully hilarious film (Lover Come Back). What could be better? Bring a blanket, get here early-​ish (6:30−7 pm), bring food and drinks, have a picnic and chat. Lovely way to spend what could otherwise be a dull Monday evening. The Screen is large enough so that even if you’re further back, you can still see it. The sound quality is good, too, which means even if there’s chatter nearby or a baby who is a little excited, you will still be able to hear the dialogue in the movie. Great movie picks, great location (sandwiched between the Capitol and Washington Monument).

Screen on the Green (SOTG) is my type of event. As a general rule, watching anything on a huge screen outdoors is fun. When you add bottles of your favorite wines and snacks to that mix, you stand to have an even better time.
As I rushed home, I heated up some corn kernels in olive oil, watched them pop, dusted them with a little truffle salt, and grabbed the closest bottles at hand (a borderline great 2009 fruity Chilean red and a leftover crappy Portugese vinho verde that sadly never found its way into caldereida soup). Tonight’s movie was The Karate Kid, a movie that stands near the top of the mountain as far as ridiculous 80s movies are concerned. There was a memorable Grantland piece on the increasingly homoerotic undertones as the Karate Kid series progressed, and the baseline is secured in the first installment. Thankfully, my group had brought cheese and salami (far better pairings than truffle popcorn for wine, I know, but whatever. my truffle popcorn stole the show) though neither offered true resistance to my increasing buzz and quite possibly offensive banter about the protagonists’ love. I was happy that none of the strangers around me seemed all too upset with my frequent interludes to the budding romance between Daniel-​San and Mr. Miyagi or my pining for an alternate ending of the movie where Johnny ends up with Ali and Cobra Kai dojos become a national phenomenon. Stupid crane kick. Put that ending in a body bag.
My only issue with SOTG is that the selected movies (with the obvious exception of the Karate Kid) are largely underwhelming. Even most of the «competing» outdoor film venues in Rockville and Crystal City offer more interesting selections. Still, I’m happy this event exists in DC. It’s worth at least one visit per year.

Hurray, Screen on the Green! What better way to break the monotony of a Monday and ease your way into the week than a picnic at sunset with friends and a good movie — on The Mall, amongst the monuments? Check the website for the remaining films. There should be 3 – 4 left. And get off your arses and GO!

Watching movies on a large screen outdoors has become a popular summer activity. Last summer I met up with couple of couch surfers at the National Mall for a evening to watch ET: Extra Terrestrial. There’s nothing like watching a movie under the stars, but since most drive-​in theaters are a thing of the past. I can’t wait for summer to be here! Screen on the Green have hosted movie-​goers with their blankets, lawn chairs and snacks for these family friendly movie nights. Awesome concept I am definitely a fan of Screen on the Green!

If you have not been to Screen on the Green; you have to go! It’s only offered in the summer and well worth the wait.
It’s a nice way to spend a Monday night watching a classic movie. I’ve seen Bonnie and Clyde there and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. They have a giant screen set up on the National Mall facing the US Capitol. It’s a gorgeous sight to see. The movie starts after sunset. It’s good to get there early (before sunset) to get a seat. Bring a blanket. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone there with a chair. Metro is easiest for getting there, but there is limited street parking nearby if you prefer to drive.
There are tons of restaurants in the area so you can eat before hand. You could also bring your own food and have a picnic.
You can enjoy this event with friends, your loved one or by yourself. It’s so much fun! Tons of people show up.
I always tell my out of town friends to visit in the summer so they can experience this. I mean where else can you enjoy a FREE outdoor movie like this.
Can’t wait for summer!

One of my favorite entertainment options during my time in DC! A great way to spend an evening!

I Heart Screen on the Green! It makes me look forward to the generally dreaded mondays. Spend Monday nights sitting on a blanket on the mall with some friends, wine and snacks… wait and watch the sun set and showtime! Let the movies begin!
…SOTG is one of the reasons I fell in love with DC.
Anxiously awaiting SOTG 2013!

«Woohoo! As good as it gets!» absolutely describes SotG.
Eventually, I’ll probably move away from DC. But whenever I think of Screen on the Green, I’ll always get a little nostalgic for this town. This and similar events are a city’s answer to the drive-​ins, which I used to go to as a college student and which actually still exist near my hometown. But I actually like Screen on the Green better. It’s free. The organizers choose interesting films (we saw «It Happened one Night»). The backdrop (the Capitol) is the coolest backdrop ever for an outdoor movie screening, no arguments. You can bring food. You can bring alcohol. You don’t have to come up with creative ways to hide your alcohol. People bring their dogs! The weather is usually tolerable since it’s in the evening. And it’s a great date activity, as evidenced by the couple to our right that were going at it the whole night.
There’s a real sense of community you feel from something like this — especially when a comedy is playing, and there are these sudden bursts of laughter that ring out through the National Mall. Any my favorite thing about the whole experience is the HBO dance. It’s silly, and really fun. Somebody inquired about the origins of the dance: I’ve read that it was started in New York and moved down to DC. There’s a Youtube video of people doing this in Bryant Park, and some of them were clapping during it, and other people were doing other types of moves. In DC, it’s just hand waving and jumping, no clapping. So there you have it.

The quienissential DC summer outing. Bring a cooler, your dog, a blanket, and friends. Enjoy an old movie under the stars with a huge crowd of friends you have never meet.

Saw Psycho here for the final screening of the summer. It was a great time, perfect weather, nice big screen, good sound, and I loved that the crowd was really into the movie. Not too much hollering at the screen obnoxiously, but people were engaged in the film and laughing along with it.
We showed up about 45 mins before the movie started, and there was still plenty of space. It filled up fast after us, and there was a huge crowd here before us, but we were able to sidle our way up fairly close. I would recommend bringing some sort of lawn chair because I saw a lot of uncomfortable squirming about an hour in. Plus, they say no boozing, but we all know everyone is boozing. Fun time.

1. Show up early if you have a big group. 6:30−7ish
2. Bring bug spray
3. Don’t get the hotdog stand food, it’s $ 2 more than on the street.
4. Bring a pillow — sitting on the ground for 2 hours can be uncomfortable
Enjoy!

Screen on the Green is a DC summer institution but it took me three summers in the city to finally getting around to visiting.
The schedule changes every summer (and though it’s usually held on Mondays, this year one film was shown on a Wednesday) so best to look online. It runs through July and the beginning of August.
Things to know:
1. To stake out a prime spot, show up around 5 – 6 PM. Getting there at 7 PM put us in the back though viewing was still excellent.
2. For your enjoyment — portapotties on the side. My roomie tried to visit the snack stand on the mall and it was closed. But SUPER lax security means you can bring in food and alcohol (unlike Jazz in the Garden in the nearby Sculpture Garden).
3. Don’t be that dude in the front with a folding chair. Come on. We all hate you in the back. There’s no incline on the mall. Seriously.
4. Dogs on leashes. Kids are cool.
5. People dance during the HBO opening. Cute? Stupid? You tell me.
Have fun, y’all.

Screen on the Green was a great time this past Monday. The wife and I got to see a movie that’s a classic «From Here to Eternity.» We got to the National Mall way early around 6pm. You could show up around 7:30 and still find a good seat. I did not get the memo that you are not suppose to sit in the middle with chairs that are not low, lesson learned. Next time we will bring a blanket and also our own food! A little pricey at the concession stand. You can’t beat sitting outside on a nice summer night enjoying a great movie for free. And its always a plus when the people around you are very chill and relaxed! It was the first time in years I was around a huge crowd of people and there was no drama, AWESOME!!!

What’s not to like?
1. It is free.
2. The movies are good.
3. Even if you’re waaaaay in the back, the volume is loud enough that you have no problem hearing the movie.
4. The HBO dance.
5. Weather permitting, you will see the sunset behind the Washington Monument and reflecting off the Capitol.
6. Lawn chairs are not allowed (although some don’t follow this rule), so it is pretty easy to have a decent view of the screen no matter where you are located.
It really is a great event and a highlight of summer here in DC.

I love DC. I love its parks, galleries, music venues, frozen yogurt and cupcakes. I love that I can pass dozens of restaurants and yuppies on my way to the Bethesda metro station, go underground, and emerge, a half hour later, in the middle of the National Mall — this time surrounded by Smithsonian museums, tourists, and the sun glinting off the Monument.
Most of all, perhaps, I love Screen on the Green. Watching the sun set over the Capitol Building, with a plastic cup of wine in one hand and friends all around, is one of the best feelings in the world. You’re in the heart of the city, watching a classic movie on a giant screen, for free! Hundreds of people are flailing and bopping around to the old HBO intro! You’re alive. It’s summer.