Free Summer Movies 2026 | Free and Cheap Family-Friendly Films

Nothing beats chilling out in a movie theater on a sweltering hot summer day. We also love a free family movie under the stars on a warm evening. With prices at just a few bucks to free, the Indy area has some awesome, affordable options for cooling off in front of a big screen this summer. Here’s our list of cheap and free summer movies 2026.

Movie Theaters with Free or Cheap Summer Movies

Cinemark Movies 8 Greenwood

1848 E Stop 13 Rd, Indianapolis, IN

Cinemark Movies 8 Greenwood is offering $1.75 children’s movies beginning on June 3 and running through August 5. Summer Movie Clubhouse films are shown on Wednesdays at 10 am, but some theaters offer additional screenings throughout the week. Every week, a different movie will be shown.

Week 1	Wed June 3	Paddington
Week 2	Wed June 10	Sonic the Hedgehog
Week 3	Wed June 17	KPOP Demon Hunters Sing-Along
Week 4	Wed June 24	Shrek Forever After
Week 5	Wed July 1	The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants
Week 6	Wed July 8	A Minecraft Movie
Week 7	Wed July 15	Dog Man
Week 8	Wed July 22	How to Train Your Dragon
Week 9	Wed July 29	The Bad Guys 2
Week 10	Wed August 5	Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie

Historic Artcraft Theatre

57 N Main St, Franklin, IN

The Summer Break Series at the Artcraft Theatre offers a different $6 movie every week. Starting June 2, the movies are shown every Tuesday at 10 am. The $6 fee includes admission, a small drink, and a small popcorn.

 

Historic Royal Theater

59 S Washington St, Danville

This beautifully restored historic movie theater in Danville offers a Free Family Film Festival that lasts all summer long! Head to the Historic Royal Theater every Wednesday morning from June 3 until July 22 for a 10 am showing of a family-friendly pick. Doors open at 9 and admission is totally free!

Week 1	June 3	Dog Man
Week 2	June 10	Paddington in Peru
Week 3	June 17	A Minecraft Movie
Week 4	June 24	How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action)
Week 5	July 1	Smurfs
Week 6	July 8	Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
Week 7	July 15	The Bad Guys 2
Week 8	July 22	The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

Regal Cinema $1 Summer Movie Express

Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Greenwood

Bring your whole family to the Regal Theater near you for the Summer Movie Express series. This summer favorite is a great activity for families looking for things to do during summer break. Summer Movie Express films are shown on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 11 am, and tickets are just $1. The movies are selections that your whole family can enjoy.

Week 1	June 1 – 4, 2026	Sing & Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Week 2	June 8 – 10, 2026	Kung Fu Panda 4 & David
Week 3	June 15 – 18, 2026	KPOP Demon Hunters Sing-Along & The Wild Robot
Week 4	June 22 – 25, 2026	The Bad Guys 2 & The Garfield Movie
Week 5	June 29 – July 2, 2026	A Minecraft Movie & Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Week 6	July 6 – 9, 2026	Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & How to Train Your Dragon
Week 7	July 13 – 16, 2026	Scoob!
Week 8	July 20 – 23, 2026	Animal Farm & The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants
Week 9	July 27 – 30, 2026	Dog Man & Paddington in Peru
Week 10	August 3 – 6, 2026	Charlie the Wonderdog & Despicable Me 4
Week 11	August 10 – 13, 2026	The Sandlot & Muppet Treasure Island

Emagine Noblesville

13825 Norell Rd, Noblesville

Catch daily morning matinees all summer long featuring kid-approved movies. The Summer Kids Series runs June 19 – August 21, 2026. Every week, the same film is shown each weekday, and selections change weekly. Tickets are $6 per person, and a Magic Pack drink and popcorn combo is specially priced at $6.

Week 1	Week of June 19	Paddington in Peru
Week 2	Week of June 26	David
Week 3	Week of July 3	Dog Man
Week 4	Week of July 10	Sonic 3
Week 5	Week of July 17	The Bad Guys 2
Week 6	Week of July 24	How to Train Your Dragon
Week 7	Week of July 31	The SpongeBob Movie
Week 8	Week of August 7	The LEGO Movie
Week 9	Week of August 14	Muppet Treasure Island
Week 10	Week of August 21	The Sandlot

AMC Summer Movie Camp for Kids

Multiple Central Indiana Locations

AMC’s Summer Movie Camp offers a family-friendly film returning to the big screen each week. You have two chances to catch each movie, beginning June 22 and ending August 12. Tickets for these special Monday and Wednesday showings are $3 per person. Summer Movie Camp films are shown in the mornings and early afternoon during matinee hours.

Week 1	June 22 & June 24	Paddington in Peru
Week 2	June 29 & July 1	David
Week 3	July 6 & July 8	How to Train Your Dragon
Week 4	July 13 & July 15	The LEGO Movie
Week 5	July 20 & July 22	Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Week 6	July 27 & July 29	The Bad Guys 2
Week 7	August 3 & August 5	The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Week 8	August 10 & August 12	Muppet Treasure Island

VIP Legacy 9 Summer Family Flicks

2347 W. Main Street, Greenfield

$2 family movies in an air-conditioned theater? Count us in! VIP Legacy 9 in Greenfield will screen a different film every week on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday mornings at 10. The Summer Family Flicks series begins June 4 and runs through August 7. The theater recommends purchasing tickets online ahead of time as seating is limited.

Week 1	June 2-4	Shrek 2
Week 2	June 9-11	A Minecraft Movie
Week 3	June 16-18	The Bad Guys 2
Week 4	June 23-25	Dog Man
Week 5	June 30-July 2	Sonic 3
Week 6	July 7-9	Kung Fu Panda 4
Week 7	July 14-16	How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
Week 8	July 21-23	The Wild Robot
Week 9	July 28-30	The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Week 10	August 4-6	Despicable Me 4

GQT Brownsburg, Lebanon, Huntington, Lafayette Summer Family Flicks

Head to Brownsburg for another summer movie series for kids and their families. Family-friendly films will be shown each Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am, beginning June 2 and running through August 6. Admission is just $2!

Week 1	June 2-4	Shrek 2
Week 2	June 9-11	A Minecraft Movie
Week 3	June 16-18	The Bad Guys 2
Week 4	June 23-25	Dog Man
Week 5	June 30-July 2	Sonic 3
Week 6	July 7-9	Kung Fu Panda 4
Week 7	July 14-16	How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
Week 8	July 21-23	The Wild Robot
Week 9	July 28-30	The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Week 10	August 4-6	Despicable Me 4

Butler Schrott Center for the Arts Free Movie Series

610 W 46th Street, Indianapolis

As students head back to school for the year, the Butler Arts and Events Center begins its annual Free Movie Series. Most options in this year’s lineup will appeal to the whole family! All films begin at 7 pm, no tickets are required, and concessions will be for sale on-site.

{lineup coming soon}

Free Outdoor Summer Movies 2026

If you would rather watch a movie under the stars, check out these FREE summer movies 2026.

Arbuckle Acres Park

200 N Green St, Brownsburg

Pack some snacks or a picnic for dinner and a show. Brownsburg Parks hosts several family movie nights with free admission throughout the summer. Be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair! Themed activities begin at 6:30, and movies begin at 7.

Week 1	May 22	Cars
Week 2	June 26	How to Train Your Dragon
Week 3	July 31	Hook
Week 4	August 28	Wicked

Grand Junction Plaza

225 S Union St, Westfield

Come out to Grand Junction Plaza with your family and friends to enjoy a free evening of entertainment on the Great Lawn. Movies will begin at 7:30. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to cozy up and enjoy the movie!

Week 1	May 27	Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Week 2	June 10	Ghostbusters (1984)
Week 3	June 24	Kicking & Screaming
Week 4	July 22	Brave
Week 5	August 15	Star Wars – The Last Jedi

Midtown Carmel

365 Monon Blvd, Carmel

Midtown is making it easy to catch a film, with showings every Tuesday and Thursday from May 9 through September 24. Seating is available at Midtown, but you may want to pack your own lawn chairs to be safe. Bring a picnic or grab a meal from one of the restaurants surrounding the plaza.

The entire lineup of movie titles for the 2026 season has been announced. Tuesday showings are at 6 pm. Thursday showings are at noon and 6 pm.

Week 1	May 9	Brave
Week 2	June 2 & June 4	Freaky Friday (1976)
Week 3	June 9 & June 11	Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
Week 4	June 16 & June 18	The Princess and the Frog
Week 5	June 23 & June 25	IF
Week 6	June 30 & July 2	Hamilton
Week 7	July 7 & July 9	Zootopia
Week 8	July 14 & July 16	Wicked
Week 9	July 21 & July 23	Wicked: For Good
Week 10	July 28 & July 30	A Minecraft Movie
Week 11	August 4 & August 6	Elemental
Week 12	August 11 & August 13	Abominable
Week 13	August 18 & August 20	Smurfs
Week 14	August 25 & August 27	PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
Week 15	September 1 & September 3	Dora and the Lost City of Gold
Week 16	September 8 & September 10	Monsters Inc.
Week 17	September 15 & September 17	The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
Week 18	September 22 & September 24	Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Week 19	October 31	Coco

Scamahorn Park

130 E. Main Street, Pittsboro

The Pittsboro Parks Department shows a series of family-friendly movies throughout the summer at Scamahorn Park. Movie screenings start approximately at dusk, so the event times change throughout the season. All events include free popcorn, courtesy of the Parks Department!

Week 1	May 30	Cars 3
Week 2	June 20	Shark Tale

Mill Race Park

50 Carl Miske Drive, Columbus

The Columbus Park Foundation sponsors this monthly series of summer films. Bring a blanket and snacks, along with your favorite people, to join the community for a popular movie. Movies begin around 8:30 pm.

Week 1	May 23	Wicked For Good
Week 2	June 13	Zootopia 2
Week 3	July 11	Superman (2025)
Week 4	August 15	The Minecraft Movie
Week 5	October 3	The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Youngs Creek Park

161 W Monroe St, Franklin

Bring blankets and chairs to the DriveHubler Amphitheater at Youngs Creek Park in Franklin for free movies all summer long! Some events include special, themed activities beginning about 2 hours before showtime.

Week 1	May 8	Little Rascals
Week 2	June 12	13 Going on 30
Week 3	July 25	Elf
Week 4	August 7	Monsters University
Week 5	October 10	The Goonies

Federal Hill Commons

175 Logan Street, Noblesville

Movies in the Park, presented by Noblesville Parks Department, provides outdoor cinema in the fall months. Movies are shown on select Friday evenings in August and September. Arrive early to play on the playground, and films begin at dusk.

TBA

Old City Park

304 S Meridian St, Greenwood

Families in Greenwood typically have a few opportunities to catch a free film under the stars later in the summer or early fall.

Week 1	September 4	The Super Mario Galaxy
Week 2	September 25	Zootopia 2

Greenfield Parks

Beacon Field

Movies start at dusk! Arrive early to enjoy lawn games and activities leading up to the film.

Week 1	May 8	Zootopia 2
Week 2	June 12	GOAT
Week 3	August 14	Hoppers
Week 4	September 25	The Super Mario Galaxy Movie

Umbarger Plaza

118 N Baldwin St, Bargersville

Enjoy Movies Under the Stars, presented by Bargersville Parks and Recreation. Please note that titles are subject to change, so verify which movie will be playing before you go.

Week 1	September 12	Encanto
Week 2	October 3	Hocus Pocus
Week 3	October 17	Beetlejuice

Independence Park

3097 32nd Street, Nineveh

Join Johnson County Parks and the Johnson County Public Library for these late summer movie nights at Independence Park. Bring your blankets or chairs and enjoy free admission and free popcorn, courtesy of the Historic Artcraft Theater.

TBA

Other Outdoor Summer Movies 2026

Newfields Summer Nights Outdoor Movies

Tickets are $10 for members and $13 for non-members. Children need tickets too, but a free ticket is available for children aged 5 & under. If your family qualifies for the Access Pass, you can snag tickets for $5 each. Tickets sell out quickly, so reserve them now.

Week 1	June 4	Roman Holiday
Week 2	June 5	Troop Beverly Hills
Week 3	June 12	Some Like It Hot
Week 4	June 19	Dreamgirls
Week 5	June 20	Sinners
Week 6	July 2	Hamilton
Week 7	July 3	Jaws
Week 8	July 10	A League of Their Own
Week 9	July 17	Cabaret
Week 10	July 24	Indy Shorts International Film Festival Summer Nights Screenings
Week 11	July 25	Indy Shorts International Film Festival Summer Nights Screenings
Week 12	July 31	Selena
Week 13	August 6	Top Hat
Week 14	August 7	The Fifth Element
Week 15	August 14	Stage Fright
Week 16	August 15	Om Shanti Om
Week 17	August 21	Black Panther
Week 18	August 28	My Neighbor Totoro
Week 19	August 29	The Princess Bride

 

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