Free or Cheap Summer Movies for Kids
Posted: May 30th, 2012 | Add a Comment
Movies make for great kids’ entertainment during the hottest days of summer. Unfortunately, even matinee prices have become prohibitive for many of us. And that’s not even figuring in the cost of concessionary treats.
On the plus side, some theaters and chains are offering either free or inexpensive tickets for children, and we’ve listed as many as possible below.
Make sure you check with your local theater before making plans, just in case they’re not participating or have changed offerings.
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Bow-Tie Cinemas
Operates theaters in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Virginia
The Kid’s Club Film Series presents free movies at 10 a.m. from June 21 to Aug. 17. Schedules vary between theaters. - Carmike Theaters
Operates theaters throughout the U.S.
The $2 tickets for the Summer Kid Series include admission, popcorn and a drink. The program runs at 10 a.m. every Thursday from June 7 to Aug. 9. - Carolina Cinemas
Owns three theaters in North Carolina
Carolina Cinemas has scheduled free kids’ movies Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 19 to July 25. - Cinemark
Operates 298 theaters in 39 states
Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse offers kids the opportunity to see children’s movies for just $1 per viewing or $5 for 10 shows, when purchased in advance. - Cinemaworld
Located in West Melbourne, Florida
Summer KidFest 2012 runs from June 1 to July 26, with eight films being shown. Admission for children is free and adult tickets are $2 or free when you donate a non-perishable pet-food item for the Brevard County Humane Society. One adult must accompany every four children. - Classic Cinemas
Operates restored cinemas in Northern Illinois
The Wednesday Morning Movie Series will run at 10 a.m. every Wednesday from June 13 to Aug. 8. Admission is $1 per person. - Clearview Cinemas
Locations in New Jersey, New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland County
Clearview Cinemas are showing a wide variety of primarily animated movies for children. - Cobb Theaters
Operates theaters in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia and Virginia
Cobb Theaters are offering free kids movies at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday through Aug. 2. - Danville Cinemas 8
Located in Danville, Kentucky
The Customer Appreciation Movie series is free for all ages. Shows start at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays throughout the summer. - Dickinson Theatres
Owns 18 locations in Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas
Dickinson Theatres encourages kids to skip the pool and attend their $2 showings from June 11 to Aug. 2. Showtimes are 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. - Edwards Theatres
Operates theaters throughout the U.S.
The Summer Movie Express program offers $1 tickets for kids of all ages. - Gem Theatre
Located in Kannapolis, N.C.
The Gem’s Summer Movie Camp shows kid-friendly movies at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. every Tuesday from June 12 to Aug. 21. Tickets are $1. - Georgia Theatre Company
Primarily operates in Georgia, although it also owns Beacon Stadium Cinemas in Florida and South Carolina.
The 2012 Summer Kid Show Series offers $1 admission for kids of all ages, with deeply discounted prices on concessions. Shows begin at 10 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday throughout the summer. - Glendale Main Library
Located at 5959 W. Brown St., Glendale, Ariz.
These movies are programmed for older kids and adults. The Reel Talk Film Series runs at 1 p.m. on Saturdays throughout June. Film scholar Jeannie Berg will lead the biopic viewings and discussions. - Great Escape
Located in 11 states in Southern and Midwestern states
Participating theaters will begin showing free movies the first week of June, starting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and some Thursdays. - Harkins Theatres
Operates 27 theaters in Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas
The Summer Movie Fun program offers 10 kids movies in 10 weeks for less than $1 per movie. - Hudson River Park
Located in Manhattan, N.Y.
The free outdoor River Flicks for Kids series begins at dusk on Fridays from July 13 to Aug. 24. Free popcorn is also available, although there’s a charge for beverages and snacks. - Intrepid Museum
Located in New York City
Not all films in the Summer Movie Series are suitable for kids, but if your little ones can stay up past 7:30 p.m., then they’ll enjoy such films as The Muppets, The Goonies, Jurassic Park and other family friendly movies. Bring your own blanket or chairs for the outdoor showings. - Krikorian Premiere Theatres
Operates 7 theaters in Southern California
The 2012 Krikorian Kids Series runs from June 19 to August 21, with two showings per day at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $1 for all ages. - Malco Theatres
Operates 30 theaters in Arkansas, Kentucky Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee.
Tickets to the Kids Summer Film Fest are $2, with shows beginning at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the summer. Proceeds benefit various children’s hospitals. - Manhattan Public Library
Located in Manhattan, N.Y.
Free movies are scheduled at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m., depending on the day, through Aug. 18. - Marcus Theaters
Operates theaters in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin
Tickets are $2 for kids with movies scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 19 to Aug. 16. - Marquee Cinemas
Locations in 10 states
Marquee Cinemas, operating under a variety of names, will present a special selection of family films each week. Schedules vary by theater, but they generally run at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays. - Metropolis 18
Located in Indianapolis
Free movies for kids start at 10 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays through Aug. 9. - Midland Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
Located in Midland, Mich.
Free movies for preschool through early elementary children start at 10 a.m. and run June 13 to Aug. 8. Elementary through middle-school audiences can enjoy free films at 2 p.m. June 8 through Aug. 10. An adult must accompany children under 12. - Muvico Theaters
Operates 9 theaters in Florida, California and Illinois
The entire family is invited to attend free movies at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from June 12 through Aug. 16. - National Amusements
Operates 950 screens throughout the U.S.
Kids have to do a bit of work to earn their free ticket for National Amusements’ Bookworm Wednesdays. Children must present a book report at a participating Cinema de Lux, Showcase or Multiplex Cinemas box office for free admission. Accompanying adults and children under six get in free without submitting a book report. - Rave Motion Theaters
Operates theaters throughout the U.S.
The Free Family Film Festival runs at 10 a.m. twice a week for nine weeks, alternating throughout the theater chain. - Regal Cinemas
Operates 548 theaters in 39 states
The Summer Movie Express program offers $1 tickets for kids of all ages. Proceeds will benefit the Will Rogers Institute. - Santikos Theatres
Operates 7 theaters in San Antonio and Houston
The free Beat the Heat film festival runs 11 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays from June 20 to July 21. - Somerset Cinemas 8
Located in Somerset, Kentucky
The Customer Appreciation program provides free movies for all ages. Shows start at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays through July 25. - Tri-City Theatre
Located in Jackson, Ohio
Free kids’ shows start at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. every Tuesday from June 5 to Aug. 7. - United Artists Theaters
Operates theaters throughout the U.S.
The Summer Movie Express program offers $1 tickets for kids of all ages.
