Summer Nights in Long Beach: Moonlight Movies on the Beach

All summer we’re going to take you through some of the fun, free, family-friendly ways to spend your summer in Long Beach and surrounding cities. 

This week we’re going with a cherished Long Beach tradition and one with plenty of opportunities to attend. Grab your blankets, pillows, lawn chairs and popcorn; we’re heading to Moonlight Movies on the Beach. 

Every year, Long Beach City College (LBCC), Port of Long Beach, Alfredo’s Beach Club and a few other sponsors bring free family movies to three different outdoor locations around the city. 

Families, friends and friendly dogs cuddle up in their movie-watching nooks in the form of blankets, umbrellas, tents and lawn chairs as the sun sets. Once dusk falls, audiences enjoy a beloved classic film or recent blockbuster on a giant inflatable screen with the sound of waves crashing in the background. 

Here’s everything you need to know before your beach blockbuster: 

Most of the movies left this summer will be screened at Granada Beach (5100 E Ocean Blvd.), also known as Rosie’s Dog Beach. One movie will be screened at the LBCC Liberal Arts Campus (4901 E Carson St.)  and one at the LBCC Pacific Coast Campus (1305 E Pacific Coast Hwy). 

All movie screenings, including parking, are free at all locations, but residents are encouraged to arrive early and save 10-15 minutes to park. Movies typically begin from 8 to 8:30 p.m., or as soon as the sun is down. 

Food trucks and a kettle corn vendor will be present at all locations, but you’re also allowed to bring their own food (most people do). Alcohol is not allowed at any of the screenings. Friendly pets are allowed. 

Here’s the remaining lineup for 2023 Moonlight Movies on the Beach:

• July 13: “Grease” at the LBCC Liberal Arts Campus 
• July 25: “Lilo & Stitch” at Granada Beach
• Aug. 1: “Top Gun: Maverick” at Granada Beach
• Aug. 8: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at Granada Beach 
• Aug. 15: “Back to the Future” at Granada Beach
• Aug. 24: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” at the LBCC Pacific Coast Campus 

This article was updated on July 14, 2023 to remove Long Beach Transit from the list of sponsors. Long Beach Transit did not sponsor the event this year. The Signal Tribune regrets this error.

Last week we showed a glimpse of the new Southern California gallery at the Aquarium of the Pacific and all the new creatures. Check out our previous story for gallery dates and hours.

Our first summer night was spent at Bixby Knolls’ annual tongue-in-cheek summer Concerts in the Park(ing Lot). Only three shows remain for this year, so check our first post in the summer series for future concert dates.