Pull out those picnic blankets and thermoses, outdoor screening season is here! In the next couple of weeks, a slew of Toronto parks and public spaces will turn in to makeshift movie theatres just after sundown.

In addition to providing film buffs with an excuse to enjoy the summer weather, the outdoor screening lineup this year is as great for movie-watching as it is for people-watching. Retro, action, animated, and even art house, you'll find it somewhere in Toronto, and probably for free.

Yonge-Dundas Square's Safecracker Cinema Series

The megahub presents a summer of slicksters and tricksters. Frank Sinatra, George Clooney, Steve McQueen and Clive Owen, to name just a few. A great set of heist films are on through July and August, including a few back-to-back screenings of classics along with remakes of the same film. Action! Suspense! Free!

Wednesday, June 30, Grand Slam (1967) at 8:30 pm
Tuesday, July 6, The Hot Rock (1972) at 8:30 pm
Thursday, July 15, A Fish Called Wanda (1988) at 8:30 pm
Tuesday, July 20, Out of Sight (1998) at 8:30 pm
Tuesday, July 27, The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) at 6:00 pm, The Thomas Crown Affair (1999) at 9:00 pm
Tuesday, August 3, Ocean's Eleven (1960) at 6:00 pm, Ocean's Eleven (2001) at 9:00 pm
Tuesday, August 10, Catch Me If You Can (2002) at 8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 17, Inside Man (2006) at 8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 24, The Bank Job (2008) at 8:30 pm
Tuesday, August 31, The Italian Job (1969) at 6:00 pm, The Italian Job (2003) at 9:00 pm

Entertainment District Summer Movie Nights with TIFF

TIFF cozies up with its soon-to-be neighbours this season, teaming up with the Entertainment District's BIA to bring free outdoor movie nights to the hood. The folks at the CN Tower are on also board with the promise of a "golden light show" at the beginning of each film. Curious? Check it out Wednesday nights (or on Thursdays if rainy) in Metro Square, near King & John, just west of Roy Thomson Hall.

Wednesday, June 30, Breakfast With Scot at 9:00 pm (Pride Week Event)
Wednesday, July 7, To Kill A Mockingbird at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, July 14, Pee Wee's Big Adventure at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, July 21, Canadian Shorts Showcase at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, July 28, TKARONTO at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 4, NFB Spotlight at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 11, Cairo Time at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 18, Silent Shorts at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 25, Dragon Hunters at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, September 1, Casablanca at 9:00 pm

Harbourfront Centre's Free Foodie Flicks

Finally, food, movies, and a lakeside view all in the same event. The Harbourfront Centre has picked out a culinary themed lineup this year, at 235 Queens Quay West.

Wednesday, July 7, Julie & Julia at 8:45 pm
Wednesday, July 14, Eat Drink Man Woman at 8:45 pm
Wednesday, July 21, Super Size Me at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, July 28, In the Mood for Love at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 4, Waitress at 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 11, vote online for Chocolat, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971), or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) at 9:00 pm

Soccer Cinema at Christie Pits Park

Where else could you see a documentary about the Palestine soccer team's attempt to quality for the World Cup along with the world premiere of John Greyson's new videos Ostriches Vs. Penguins and G7 vs. G8? Kudos to the Toronto Palestine Film Festival for bringing an inflatable screen and timely flicks to the park.

Friday, June 25, Goal Dreams at 9:00 pm

Downsview Park's Movies Under the Stars

Head north on Friday nights for family friendly fare. Although Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel seems like an unfortunate selection, I could easily be talked into something like Fantastic Mr. Fox with the promise of a thermos of wine. Start time is 9ish or sundown.

Friday, July 2, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
Friday, July 9, Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Friday, July 16, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Friday, July 23, Where the Wild Things Are
Friday, July 30, Fantastic Mr. Fox
Friday, August 6, Star Trek
Friday, August 13, Shorts
Friday, August 20, Planet 51
Friday, August 27, The Blind Side
Wednesday, September 1, Inkheart

Community Outdoor Movie Nights

Over in Ward 21 (St. Paul's West), Councillor Joe Mihevc is screening a handful of must-see films.

Friday, June 25, E.T. The Extra Terrestrial at 8:30 pm, Marian Engel Park, 285 Melita Ave.
Saturday, July 3, Labyrinth at 8:30 pm, Wychwood Barns Park, 601 Christie St.
Saturday, July 10, Annie at 8:30 pm, Ben Nobleman Park, 1405 Eglinton Ave. West
Saturday, July 24, Ghostbusters at 8:30 pm, Laughlin Park, 420 Atlas Ave.
Saturday, July 31, Hook at 8:30 pm, Marian Engel Park, 285 Melita Ave.

Parkdale Showcase Screening Under the Stars

The 12th Annual Parkdale Film + Video Showcase runs from June 25 to 27 and has, as in previous years, scheduled an outdoor screening as the main event on Saturday night. The neighbourhood fest presents newish works by Craig Orrett, Rebecca Gruihn, Diana Cadavid, Simon Rabyniuk and the Department of Unusual Certainties, KS3, Alvaro Giron, Candace Mooers, Britney Siriani, Aislinn Thomas, Nadine Valcin, Greg Majster, Chris Kennedy, Nicholas Kovats, and Kim Shepherd.

Saturday, June 26 in the Fuller Avenue Parkette, just north of Queen Street W. on Fuller Ave. at 9 pm

Pleasure Dome

The film and video exhibition collective teams up with The Power Plant to present works by Douglas Gordon, Kristin Lucas, Guy Ben-Ner, Kathy High, Steve Reinke & Jessie Mott and others in the courtyard of 401 Richmond Street West.

Saturday, July 27, Animal Drag Kingdom at 9 pm (rain date: Sunday, July 18)

More Movies In The Park (in Riverdale Park, East)

A community event seeking to have sponsors come on board prior to the screening to raise awareness and support for Art City, St. James Town and The Toronto Kiwanis Boys & Girls Clubs of Regent Park.

Sunday, June 20, The Great Outdoors (starring John Candy and Dan Akyroyd) at 9 pm
Sunday, July 18, TBD
Sunday, August 22, TBD

Polson Pier Drive-in

Looking for some backseat make-out time with loved ones this summer? We've got a two-screen drive-in movie theatre in downtown Toronto. On this weekend, choose between the more PG Karate Kid with Killers, or a double-bill of Get Him to the Greek with Splice. Admission is $15 for adults or $25 for a carload on Sundays.

Photo of a Raiders of the Lost Ark screening at Yonge-Dundas Square by sjgardiner, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.