There is just something special about watching a movie under the stars, and in Chicago, you can find an outdoor film every week throughout the summer. If one screening gets rained out, there's plenty of chances for a "make-up."
Take our list of show dates and times, and map out your game plan for free movies in the park, drive-ins, rooftops, and more.
Free Movies in the Park
Wrightwood Neighbors Association's Movie in the Park - Jonquil Park
Saturdays:
July 29 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
August 19 – Crazy Rich Asians
Water Flicks - Navy Pier
(6:30 - 8:30pm Lake Stage Polk Bros. Park)
Mondays:
July 10 - Secretariat
July 17 - The Lion King
July 24 - Jaws
July 31 - Sing 2
August 7 - Congo
August 14 - The Secret Life of Pets
August 21 - Snakes on a Plane
August 28 - Viewer's Choice between: Ratatouille, Turning Red, or Lyle Lye Crocodile (vote on Instagram)
Millenium Park Summer Film Series - The Loop
(Gates open at 5pm, Movie at ~6:30pm)
Tuesdays:
July 11 – Fast Five
July 18 – Turning Red
July 25 – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
August 1 – Summer of Soul
August 8 – Clueless
August 15 – Top Gun: Maverick
August 22 – Barbershop
August 29 – Everything Everywhere All at Once
Movie Night at Gallagher Way - Lakeview
(Gates open at 6pm, Movie at ~7:30pm)
Wednesdays:
July 12 – Clueless
July 26 – Top Gun: Maverick
August 23 – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
August 30 – The Dark Knight
September 13 – Back to the Future
September 27 – The Blues Brothers
Chicago Park District’s Movies in the Parks - Throughout the city
(All movies begin at dusk.)
Various dates throughout the summer.
Central Lakeview Neighbor's Summer Movies at Hawthorne School - Lakeview
(Movies begin at dusk. In case of inclement weather, rain date is September 15.)
July 9 - Peter Pan
August 5 - Aladdin
Museum of Science and Industry - Hyde Park
(~8:30pm)
August 8 - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Drive-Ins
ChiTown Movies - Pilsen
July 7: 8:45pm - Shrek
July 8: 8:45pm - Super Mario Bros
July 13: 8:45pm - Shrek
July 14: 8:45pm - Creed III
July 14: 11:00pm - Friday the 13th
July 15: 8:45pm - Super Mario Bros
July 30: 8:30pm - Spiderman: No Way Home
Drive-In Movies at Little Beans Cafe - Evanston
(Parking lot will open at 7:30pm and the movie will start between 8-8:20pm.)
July 14 – Moana (with a live appearance from Moana)
September 15 – Frozen (with a live appearance from Elsa and Olaf)
Rooftop Movies
Rooftop Cinema Club - Fulton Market
(Various times. At all times, kids 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Viewer headphones are best suited for children ages 5 and up.)
July 1: 10:15am - Puss & Boots: The Last Wish
July 1: 1:00pm - The Goonies
July 2: 10:00am - Monsters, INC
July 8: 10:45am - The Super Mario Bros
July 8: 4:30pm - Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
July 9: 10:30am - UP
July 11: 4:15pm - Sing 2
July 14: 4:30pm - Ratatouille
July 15: 11:00am - Encanto
July 16: 10:00am - Super Mario Bros
July 16: 12:45pm - Shrek
July 17: 4:15pm - Aladdin
July 23: 10:30am - The Lion King
July 24: 4:15pm - Finding Nemo
July 25: 4:15pm - Frozen
July 29: 11:30am - Tangled
Dive-Ins
Devonshire Aquatic Center - Skokie
August 4: 8pm - The Goonies
In addition to outdoor movies this summer, local theaters are also hosting special family friendly screenings.
Music Box Theater - Lakeview
(To coincide with the Southport Art Fest, from 11:00am to 3:00pm watch classic cartoons FOR FREE. Come and go as you please.)
July 8 - Looney Tunes
July 9 - Looney Tunes
Alamo Cinema Drafthouse's Kids Camp - Lakeview
(Tickets are $5 for everyone. All minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Children ages 6+ admitted. Children 5 and under (including infants) are ONLY admitted during specifically designated "All Ages" and "Family Friendly" screenings.)
July 7 - Trolls World Tour
July 10 - Babe: Pig in the City
July 14 - Free Willy
July 17 - How to Train Your Dragon 2
July 21 - Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
July 28 - Hotel Transylvania 2
August 4 - The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
August 7 - Paddington 2
August 11 - Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
August 14 - Puf N’ Stuf
August 18 - Where the Wild Things Are
August 21 - Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
August 25 - The Iron Giant
August 28 - Chicken Run
September 1 - Kung Fu Panda 2
Regal's Summer Movie Express - Various theaters
($2 family movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. First show of the day.)
July 11/12 - Sonic the Hedgehog 2/Paw Patrol
July 18/19 - Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank/Sing 2
August 1/2 - The Boss Baby: Family Business/Dolittle
August 8/9 - Kung Fu Panda 3/Curious George
August 15/16 - Minions/How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
August 22/23 - Shrek/Kung Fu Panda
August 29/30 - Trolls World Tour/Despicable Me
September 5/6 - Despicable Me 3/Spirit Untamed
AMC Theater's Summer Movie Camp - Various theaters
($3+tax on Wednesdays and $5+tax on Saturdays)
July 8 - Trolls World Tour
July 12 -Trolls World Tour
July 15 - Mummies
July 19 - Mummies
July 22 -The Secret Life of Pets
July 26 -The Secret Life of Pets
July 29 - The Boss Baby: Family Business
August 2 - The Boss Baby: Family Business
August 5 - Shrek 2
August 9 - Shrek 2
August 12 - Sing 2
August 16 - Sing 2
August 19 - The Croods: A New Age
August 23 - The Croods: A New Age
August 26 - Sonic the Hedgehog 2
August 30 - Sonic the Hedgehog 2
