While we take in those amazing summer nights, why not enjoy the great weather with a concert or a movie outdoors? The Chicago area offers many free and inexpensive outdoor movie programs and we made it easier for you by rounding up kid-friendly movies to see all summer long.
Whether you want to watch new animated movies like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and DC League of Super-Pets or classics like Grease or Back to the Future, there are plenty of movies for the whole family to enjoy. A quick head’s up — we did select a few PG-13 movies for parents with tweens and teens, so please take a look at each movie’s rating to decide if it’s appropriate for your kiddos.
Keep scrolling to find the best outdoor movies near you. Don’t forget to grab a few blankets and delicious snacks before heading down to these screenings!
Note: Free screenings can change at the last minute, so ALWAYS check the location first before heading out.
Looking for more kid-friendly activities? Check out our summer fun family guide!
City
Movies at Gallagher Way
May 17, 31; June 7; July 5, 12, 26; Aug. 23, 30; Sept. 13, 27, 2023
- Address: 3635 N. Clark St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Music Box Theatre will screen free movies at Gallagher Way. In May, see Ferris Bueller and E.T. The Extra Terrestrial. In June, see Mitchells vs. The Machines. In July, see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Clueless and Top Gun: Maverick. In August, see Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and The Dark Knight. In September, see Back to the Future and The Blues Brothers. Reservations required.
Silent Movie Series at Indian Boundary Park
June 2, Sept. 1, Dec. 1, 2023
- Address: 2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago
- Cost: Free
This series will be accompanied by a live piano performance. The Apple Tree Girl is on June 2. A Buster Keaton Short Film Festival is on Sept. 1. Son of the Skeik, starring Rudolph Valentino is on Dec. 1. For ages 10 and up.
Millennium Park Summer Film Series at Jay Pritzker Pavilion
July 11-Aug. 29, 2023 (Tuesdays)
- Address: 201 E. Randolph St., Chicago
- Cost: Free
Families can head to Millennium Park for a summer film series. Sit in the pavilion or on the lawn.
North/Northwest Suburbs
Movie in the Park: Encanto at Recreation Park
July 14, 2023
- Address: 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Enjoy watching the movie, Encanto with your family at Recreation Park. Bring your own chairs, blankets and movie snacks.
Movies Under the Stars at Willow Stream Park
June 23; July 14, 21, 2023
- Address: 651 Old Checker Road, Buffalo Grove
- Cost: Free
Bring blankets, chairs and snacks for an outdoor movie screening this summer at Willow Stream Park. Concessions will be available for purchase. See Sonic the Hedgehog on June 23, DC League of Super-Pets on July 14 and Puss In Boots: The Last Wish on July 21.
Movie in the Park: Minions the Rise of Gru at Recreation Park
Aug, 18, 2023
- Address: 500 E. Miner St., Arlington Heights
- Cost: Free
Enjoy watching Minions the Rise of Gru with your family at Recreation Park. Bring your own chairs, blankets and movie snacks.
South Suburbs
Movie Nights on Village Commons Lawn
June 7-Aug. 9, 2023 (Wednesdays)
- Address: 1 Veterans Pkwy., New Lenox
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a movie night at Village Commons on the lawn. Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase. For all ages.
Movie in the Park: Grease Sing-a-Long at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center Band Shell
June 22, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can see the classic film, Grease Sing-a-Long, at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs. A small concession stand will be available.
Movie in the Park: DC League of Superpets at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center Band Shell
July 6, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can see DC League of Superpets at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs. A small concession stand will be available.
Movie in the Park: Frozen II at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center Band Shell
July 20, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can see Frozen II at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs. A small concession stand will be available.
Movie in the Park: Spider-Man No Way Home at Tony Bettenhausen Recreation Center Band Shell
Aug. 3, 2023
- Address: 8125 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
- Cost: Free
Families can see Spider-Man No Way Home at Tinley Park District’s Thursdays in the Park summer series. Bring your own blanket and chairs. A small concession stand will be available.
Western Suburbs
Moonlit Movies in the Park at Parade Field in Cantigny Park
June 2-Aug. 25, 2023
- Address: 1 S, 151 Winfield Road, Wheaton
- Cost: $10/ages 16-64, $8/ages 65-plus, free/ages 15 and under
Bring the family and watch a movie on their 40-foot inflatable screen. Bring blankets, lawn chairs and snacks. There will be popcorn from Mamie’s Toffee and Treats and Tamales+ available to purchase along with a beverage cart with soft drinks, beer and wine.
Movies & Food Trucks on the Center Green at Geneva Commons
June 2-Aug. 25, 2023
- Address: 602 Commons Drive, Geneva
- Cost: Free; fees for food
Families can enjoy a movie and food trucks at Geneva Commons this summer. Bring a blanket or chair and some snacks.
Summer Movies in the Park at Cerny Park
June 15, July 20, Aug. 17, 2023
- Address: 4S150 River Road, Warrenville
- Cost: Free
Families can enjoy a movie night at Cerny Park. Movies begin at dusk. There will be concessions available for purchase. See Minions: Rise of Gru on June 15, Top Gun Maverick on July 20 and Luca on Aug. 17.
Movie in the Park at Wilder Park
June 16, 2023
- Address: 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free; fees for food.
Grab a picnic blanket and join the fun at Wilder Park for a showing of Sing 2. Movie begins at dusk. The food truck will be Serna’s Grill.
Minions: The Rise of Gru at Venue 1012
June 22, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Join the Village of Oswego for a free showing of Minions: The Rise of Gru. Bring a chair or blanket, buy a snack and enjoy lawn games.
Movie in the Park at Wilder Park
July 14, 2023
- Address: 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free; fees for food
Grab a picnic blanket and join Elmhurst Park District at Wilder Park for a showing of Lightyear. Movie begins at dusk. The food trucks will be Serna’s Grill and Spoon Burger.
Sonic the Hedgehog 2 at Venue 1012
July 20, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Join the Village of Oswego for a free showing of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Bring a chair or blanket, buy a snack and enjoy lawn games.
Movie in the Park at Wilder Park
Aug. 4, 2023
- Address: 175 S. Prospect Ave., Elmhurst
- Cost: Free; fees for food
Grab a picnic blanket and join Elmhurst Park District at Wilder Park for a showing of Sonic the Hedgehog. Movie begins at dusk. The food trucks will be Serna’s Grill and Spoon Burger.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at Venue 1012
Aug. 10, 2023
- Address: 1012 Station Drive, Oswego
- Cost: Free
Join the Village of Oswego for a free showing of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Bring a chair or blanket, buy a snack and enjoy lawn games.
This post is updated annually.
Follow Chicago Parent on Instagram.
