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Philadelphia plays host to lots of outdoor summer movie series, many against the backdrop of the gorgeous city skyline. (Photo by Christian Carollo / Picture Philly)

Nothing says summer like movies under the stars.

Al fresco screenings are taking place across Philadelphia, providing a perfect date activity, time with friends, and an opportunity to see some really great films. Best of all, many of the screenings are free, leaving extra money for popcorn and ice cream.

Check out the outdoor movies that summer in Philadelphia has to offer:

• Institute of Contemporary Art: Film lovers are invited to the clandestine Secret Cinema, where screenings that focus on “a variety of summery and artful concerns” are shown after dark on the outdoor rooftop patio at the Institute of Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania. Coolest part for film buffs: the cinema has a strict 16mm film only policy. July 13, 27, and August 3. Tickets are $7.

• Liberty Lands Summer Movie Series: Every Tuesday night at nightfall, popular films ranging from Where the Wild Things Are to Raiders of the Lost Ark will be shown in Liberty Lands park, courtesy of the Northern Liberties Neighbors Association. Pack a picnic! Tuesdays until August 23. Free.

• South Street Headhouse District Summer Indie Film Series: Bring a chair or a blanket to the historic Headhouse Square for a screening every Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. The 12 films in 12 weeks showcase independent films featuring Philadelphia talent, include Night Catches Us, Rocky V and The September Issue. Wednesdays until August 31. Free.

• The Awesome Fest: For movies that won’t be shown anywhere else in Philadelphia, head to the Piazza at Schmidts. Films include Philadelphia premieres, as well as films with impressive histories at festivals such as SXSW, Tribeca, or Sundance. Sundays until August 27. Free.

• Screenings Under the Stars: The RiverStage at Penn’s Landing does double duty as an outdoor movie theater, bringing popular movies to the Delaware River on Thursday nights at dusk. Upcoming flicks include The King’s Speech, The Social Network and Eat, Pray, Love. Thursdays until August 25 Free.

• Schuylkill Banks Movie Nights: Perfect for families or those craving movies with a little more action, the Schuylkill Banks’ Outdoor Movie Nights deliver superheroes on the Schuylkill with films such as Iron Man, The Rocketeer and The Incredibles coming up, all shown on a giant screen on the river banks. July 21, August 4 and 18. Free.

• French Films Under the Stars at Bistrot La Minette: Catch a French film (with English subtitles) in the restaurant’s courtyard dining area. Bistrot La Minette recommends making reservations for an hour to an hour and a half before the film is scheduled to begin. But they welcome guests to come for dessert, coffee or to share a bottle of wine. Every Monday, Thursday and Friday Night through October. Free.

• “Cocktails & Comedies” at the National Museum Of American Jewish History: The films themselves are shown inside at the Dell Theater, but the evening begins with a cocktail hour on the Robbi and Bruce Toll Terrace. July 12, July 19, July 26. $15 per night, $36 for three-film package.

• Eastern State Penitentiary: Watch 12 Monkeys, starring Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt and Madeleine Stowe, right where it was filmed. BYO blankets and chairs. Saturday, July 16, 9 p.m. Tickets are $10.

• Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia’s Bike-In Movies: The Bike Coalition regularly holds “bike-in” movies on the roof of the South Street Whole Foods. Whole Foods provides delicious food (e.g. artisan pizza) and the main screening is preceded by short bike films. Follow their Facebook page for date announcements. Free.

• Guerilla Drive-In: Catch 16MM feature films shown at secret locations near West Chester. The projector is mounted on a 1977 BMW R100/7 sidecar rig. Plus, the movies are shown in appropriate locations — Repo Man in a junkyard, Caddyshack on the links, Ghostbusters in a haunted fort. Those locations are kept top secret and you’ll need to crack the code to determine each one.

• Fairmount Goes French Friday: On Friday, July 15 in celebration of Bastille Day July 16, you can watch French-themed movie screenings from the Friends of Eastern State Penitentiary and Mugshots Coffeehouse. This year’s films will be Ratatouille at 7:00 p.m. (shown at Mugshots) and The Hunchback of Notre Dame at 8:00 p.m. (shown on the lawn behind Eastern State Penitentiary).

[Photo courtesy Picture Philly]