Free Summer Movies 2023 | 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 2023.

Movie Theaters with Free or Cheap Summer Movies

This list will be updated for 2023 as information is available.

Cinemark Movies 8 Greenwood

1848 E Stop 13 Rd, Indianapolis, IN

Cinemark Movies 8 Greenwood is offering $1.50 children’s movies every Wednesday beginning on June 21st and running through August 9th. Every week a different movie will be shown.

Showtime Cinema

300 Southbridge St Mooresville, IN

Every Wednesday from June 7th -July 26th at Showtime Cinema, find family favorites for only 50 cents per person or a donation of a non-perishable food item.

Artcraft Theatre

57 N Main St, Franklin, IN

The Summer Break Series at the Artcraft Theatre offers a different $5 movie every week. The movies are shown every Tuesday at 10 am, with the $5 fee including admission, a small drink, and a small popcorn.

Regal Cinema $2 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 and tickets are just $2. The movies are selections that your whole family can enjoy.

Emagine Noblesville

13825 Norell Rd, Noblesville

Catch daily morning matinees all summer long featuring kid-approved movies. The Summer Kids Series runs June 9-August 17, 2023. Every week, the same film is shown each morning and selections change weekly. Tickets are just $3 per person and a Magic Pack drink and popcorn combo is specially priced at $5.

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, with two different price points. Tickets for Wednesday showings are $3 per person, and the cost goes up to $5 a ticket on Saturdays. Summer Movie Camp films are shown in the mornings, with most local theaters playing these options at noon or earlier.

Studio Movie Grill College Park

3535 W 86th St, Indianapolis

We love all the summer movie deals offered at local theaters! Studio Movie Grill College Park is no exception. Tickets for the Children’s Summer Series are $6 each, but include a popcorn and drink combo. These favorite kids’ titles play during the first showing of each day, Monday through Thursday, beginning May 29 and ending August 24.

VIP Legacy 9 Summer Family Flicks

2347 W. Main Street, Greenfield

FREE family movies in an air-conditioned theater? Count us in! VIP Legacy 9 in Greenfield will screen a different film every week on Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 10 — and yes, they are free. The Summer Family Flicks series begins June 7 and runs through August 10. The theater does not take reservations for these movies and seats are first-come, first-served.

GQT Brownsburg 8 Summer Family Flicks

1555 N Green St, Brownsburg

Head to Brownsburg for another totally free summer movie series for kids and their families. Family-friendly films will be shown each Wednesday and Thursday at 10 am, beginning June 7 and running through August 10. The theater does not take reservations for these movies and seats are first-come, first-served.

Outdoor Free Summer Movies 2023

If you would rather watch a movie under the stars, check out these 2023 FREE summer movie series.

Riverside Park

2420 E Riverside Dr, Indianapolis

Indy Parks and Recreation presents a series of free movies under the stars at Riverside Park. One movie per month will be offered, each on a Friday night and starting at 9 pm.

June 9: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
July 7: Back to the Future
August 11: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
September 8: Encanto

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 7:30.

July 28: Grown Ups (Teen Takeover Weekend)
September 15: The Avengers

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 around dusk, so start times will vary. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to cozy up and enjoy the movie!

September 15: Ratatouille 
September 29: Space Jam (1996)
October 27: Halloweentown
December 1: White Christmas

Meridian Park Family Aquatic Center

101 McKinley Street, Shelbyville

Toss on your swimsuit and splash about as you watch movies on a floating screen. No outside food or drinks are allowed to be brought in, but there will be concessions available to purchase.  This free first-come, first-serve dive-in movie will have limited capacity, so be sure to plan arrival time accordingly! Gates open at 7:30 and the movie begins at dusk.

July 21: The Bad Guys

Midtown Carmel

365 Monon Blvd, Carmel

Midtown is making it easy to catch a film, with showings every Tuesday and Thursday from May 2 through October 31. 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.

Movie titles will be released periodically on Facebook and Instagram. Tuesday showings are at noon and 6 pm. Thursday showings are at 6 pm only.

Movies at the MAC

Garfield Park’s Macallister Amphitheater, 2425 Conservatory Dr, Indianapolis 

Join the community for a movie under the stars at the Garfield Park Arts Center’s west field! Bring a seat, your friends and family, and enjoy a screening of a family favorite.

Concessions/food will not be available, but you can bring your own. No alcohol allowed. Movies begin at approximately 9 pm.

June 23: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
July 14: Matilda (1996)
August 25: The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Newfields Summer Nights Movie Series

4000 N. Michigan Road, Indianapolis

While not free, Summer Nights is a beloved outdoor summer movie series. Pack up a picnic dinner and enjoy a summer movie at The Amphitheater at Newfields. Tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to mark your calendar with your favorite selection of movies and snatch up your tickets as soon as they’re available.

Tickets are $9 for members and $12 for non-members. Children need tickets too, but kids aged 5 & under get their tickets for free.

The Shops at Perry Crossing

2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield

Bring a lawn chair or blanket to the Town Square courtyard at the Shops at Perry Crossing. On specific Thursdays throughout the summer, catch family-friendly movies with pre-show activities. Festivities start at 6 pm, and the movie begins at 8 pm.

May 25: Clifford the Big Red Dog
June 8: Minions: The Rise of Gru
June 22: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
July 6: DC League of Super Pets
July 20: Strange World

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!

May 13: Star Wars – A New Hope
June 17: Lego Batman
August 26: Movie TBA
September 16: Movie TBA
October 7: Movie TBA

Williams Park

940 S Locust Ln, Brownsburg

Pack some snacks or a picnic for dinner and a show. Brownsburg Parks hosts several kid 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 7:30.

June 16: Luca
August 18: The Goonies

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 at dusk and the exact start time will be announced two days prior to the event.

May 6: School of Rock
June 10: Space Jam
June 24: The Addams Family (1991)
July 29: Jumanji – Welcome to the Jungle
August 26: Super Mario Brothers Movie

Forest Park Aquatic Center

1077 Cicero Rd, Noblesville

You’ll have to pay a $5 fee to join the fun at Forest Park Aquatic Center’s Flix and Float events, but those few dollars are worth it! Members get in free. Hop in the pool to stay cool while you watch a favorite family film on the Aquatic Center’s amazingly bright LED screen. Movie start times vary throughout the season, so verify with the Aquatic Center before you go.

June 7: Minions: The Rise of Gru
June 21: Bedtime Stories
June 30: Hook
July 3: Top Gun: Maverick
July 14: Field of Dreams
August 5: Madagascar
August 12: Cars
August 19: Remember the Titans
September 4: Back to the Future

Waiting on Updates 2023

Thursdays on the Mall

Flix Brewhouse Carmel

Avon Town Hall Park

Flat Fork Creek Park

Greenwood Amphitheater

Holland Park

Independence Park

Noblesville Parks Department

Plan your summer with 101 activities around Indianapolis.

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