Although the idea of watching a big-screen movie under the stars harbors widespread appeal, drive-in theaters are hard to come by. There’s one at Weirs Beach in Laconia, and others in Milford and Hinsdale, while Maine’s closest is in Saco. But dozens of others have closed over the last 20 years, and the Seacoast remains sadly devoid of drive-ins.  

Fortunately, several local groups are keeping the tradition alive with outdoor movies this summer. Hampton Beach in Hampton, Rochester Main Street in Rochester, Brookford Farm in Rollinsford, the Sub Rosa Drive-In in Dover, the University of New Hampshire in Durham, and Prescott Park in Portsmouth all plan to present movies in the open air, where each breeze will carry the buttery scent of fresh popcorn.

Hampton Beach
Along with all the fried dough, arcades, sand sculptures and fireworks, Hampton Beach will again present its Monday Night at the Movies series from July 11 to Aug. 29. The free films are shown after dusk every Monday night, weather permitting, on a projector screen on the beach. Just head to park headquarters to learn the exact location. For updates on film titles, visit www.hamptonbeach.org and click on “Calendar of Events.”

Rochester Main Street
Children and grownups can enjoy a free movie with popcorn and candy on the lawn of Rochester Common this summer. Titles are subject to change, but organizers plan to show “Abbott and Costello meet Frankenstein” on Thursday, June 23; “Monsters Inc.” on Thursday, July 28; and “Ratatouille” on Thursday, Sept. 1. Lots of activities are planned. To start, kids under 11 are invited to wear a Frankenstein costume on June 23, then go on a downtown hunt for Abbott and enter a drawing for a bicycle (those interested in donating used bikes should contact Mark Ellis at 603-767-6495). The other movies will feature similar activities, all beginning around 7 p.m. Check in at www.rochestermainstreet.org for updates.

Brookford Farm
Locavores and others are welcome to watch agriculturally themed documentaries from around the world this summer at Brookford Farm in Rollinsford. The monthly series begins on Saturday, June 4, with “The Plow that Broke the Plains” and “The Greenhorns.” It continues with French documentary “The Gleaners and I” on Saturday, July 2, and Thai film “Agrarian Utopia” on Saturday, Aug. 6. All films begin at 9 p.m. in the backyard at 278 Sligo Road. Frozen yogurt and other treats will be available, and guests are invited to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, visit www.brookfordfarm.com.

Sub Rosa Drive-In

Launched in 2009 by coconspirators Larry Clow and Bryan White, Sub Rosa is the Seacoast’s first guerilla drive-in operation, screening cult flicks and classics every other Friday beginning at 9 p.m. in Dover. The goal is to re-create the vintage drive-in experience at a non-traditional outdoor venue. For movie titles and locations, follow the semi-secret society on Twitter (@SubRosaDriveIn).

University of New Hampshire
As part of its Wednesday night film series, UNH will screen one outdoor film on its Durham campus in July. The school will show “Rango” on Wednesday, July 20 at 8:30 p.m., on the lawn outside Thompson Hall, right along Main Street. The rest of the series takes place indoors at the Memorial Union Building, with events on July 6, July 27 and Aug. 3, beginning at 7 p.m. Visit www.unhmub.com for updates.

Prescott Park
In a new addition to the Prescott Park Arts Festival, organizers hope to present an outdoor film series this summer. The idea is still being explored and details have not been finalized, but, with any luck, visitors will be able to enjoy Monday night movies in the grassy Portsmouth park beside the Piscataqua River. Cinema would be the latest form of entertainment added to a summer-long event that already includes live music, theater, food festivals and more. Visit www.prescottpark.org for updates.