One of my favorite summer fun activities in Indianapolis with kids is an outdoor movie night. There is just something about spreading out a blanket, passing around snacks, letting the kids wiggle in the grass until the sun goes down, and watching a movie on a giant screen under the stars. Even a movie your family has seen a dozen times somehow feels different when you watch it outside together.
Across Indianapolis and Central Indiana, outdoor movie nights pop up in parks, amphitheaters, community gathering spaces, museums, and more. Some are free neighborhood movie nights with animated favorites for kids. Others feel more like a summer night out, with classic films, musicals, popular blockbusters, or movies that are a better fit for teens and adults. No matter what kind of movie experience your family is looking for, there are plenty of opportunities to add a movie night to your summer plans.
Below, you’ll find outdoor movie schedules around the Indianapolis area and Central Indiana. Be sure to check the host’s website or social media before heading out, since weather, start times, locations, and ticket availability can change.
Movies in the Park in Indianapolis
White River State Park will host movie nights this summer for $5 per person or $20 per family.
Outdoor Movie Nights take place at Celebration Plaza inside White River State Park, located at 801 West Washington Street in Indianapolis. Gates open at 6:30 pm, and each movie begins at 7:30 pm.
| Movie 1 | May 21 | The Incredibles |
|---|---|---|
| Movie 2 | June 18 | National Treasure |
| Movie 3 | July 16 | Shrek |
| Movie 4 | August 20 | Mamma Mia! |
| Movie 5 | September 17 | Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl |
Free Movies in the Park for Kids and Families
For families with younger kids, movies in the park are one of the easiest summer outings. Many local parks departments and communities offer free screenings of family movies throughout the summer and early fall. These events are usually casual, kid-friendly, and designed for families to arrive with blankets, lawn chairs, snacks, and plenty of patience while everyone gets settled.
The best part is that the evening does not have to be complicated. Pack a picnic dinner, let the kids run around before the movie starts, and settle in once the screen lights up. Some movie nights also include activities before the film, such as games, scavenger hunts, themed entertainment, food trucks, or community events.
For younger children who may not make it through an entire late-night movie, this can still be a fun outing. Come for the pre-movie activities, watch as much of the film as your kids can handle, and head home when everyone has reached their limit. There is no pressure to make it to the credits for the evening to count as a successful summer memory.
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.
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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.
Dive-In Movies and Poolside Movie Nights
A dive-in movie might be the ultimate summer movie night for kids. Instead of settling onto a blanket in the grass, families can splash, float, and swim while a favorite movie plays on a big screen at the pool. These events are especially fun on hot Indiana evenings when the kids still have energy to burn and everyone is looking for a way to cool down. Some pools allow floats or tubes during the movie, while others may have specific swim rules or require advance registration, so be sure to check the details before you go. Pack swimsuits, towels, dry clothes, goggles, and plenty of patience for kids who may be more interested in swimming than watching the entire movie. For our family, that is part of the fun. A dive-in movie is less about quietly watching every minute of the film and more about creating one of those perfectly summery memories kids will talk about long after the pool closes.
Flix & Floats at Forest Park Pool
| Movie 1 | June 6 at 8 p.m. | Zootopia 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Movie 2 | June 21 at 4 p.m. | Finding Dory |
| Movie 3 | July 2 at 8 p.m. | Movie To Be Announced |
| Movie 4 | July 11 at 8 p.m. | The Parent Trap |
| Movie 5 | August 8 at 8 p.m. | Wonder |
| Movie 6 | August 29 at 8 p.m. | Lilo & Stitch |
Franklin Family Aquatics Center Dive in Movies
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Movies at Museums and Along the Canal in Indianapolis
Some outdoor movie nights come with a setting that makes the entire evening feel like an event. In Indianapolis, movie screenings at museums or along the Downtown Canal offer families a chance to pair a favorite film with one of the city’s most memorable spaces. These movie nights are perfect for families who want to do a little more than show up for a screening. You can take a walk along the canal before the movie, explore a nearby attraction, grab dinner or treats downtown, and then settle in for a film as the city lights begin to glow. Museum movie series may also include a mix of family-friendly favorites, classic films, musicals, and movies that are better for a night out with older kids, teens, or adults. Check each event carefully for ticket prices, seating details, movie ratings, and whether the screening is held outdoors or moved inside due to weather. Watching a movie beneath the Indianapolis skyline or on the grounds of a favorite museum is a pretty special way to spend a summer evening. Plus, for adults, they offer a special ticket that allows you to float in the canal on a tube as you watch.
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 |
Drive-In Movies Near Indianapolis
Drive-in movies are a summer experience every kid should have at least once. There is something wonderfully nostalgic about piling into the car with pajamas, blankets, pillows, and a whole stash of movie snacks, then watching a film on a giant outdoor screen after dark. For families with younger kids, drive-ins can also be surprisingly low-pressure. Kids can stretch out in the back of the vehicle, wear their pajamas, talk a little more freely than they could in a theater, or fall asleep before the movie ends. Some drive-ins offer double features, concessions, playgrounds, or special events, making the evening feel like a full adventure instead of just a movie. Be sure to check each drive-in’s rules about bringing outside food, parking larger vehicles, using lawn chairs, and listening to the movie audio through your car radio or a portable radio. The late bedtime might feel a little wild, but that is exactly why a drive-in movie can become one of those summer memories your kids never forget.
Tibbs Drive-In Theatre
480 South Tibbs Avenue, Indianapolis
Tibbs Drive-In Theatre is our family’s go-to spot for a drive-in movie night, in part because it is so close to our house, but it is also worth the drive from anywhere in the Indianapolis area. As Indy’s closest drive-in theater, Tibbs makes it easy to give your kids that classic summer experience of piling into the car with blankets, pajamas, and movie snacks for a late-night adventure. During the summer, Tibbs shows current movies across four screens, so families often have several movie options to choose from when planning their night out.
Centerbrook Drive-In
6735 State Road 67 North, Martinsville
Centerbrook Drive-In has been welcoming moviegoers since 1950, and it is a great option for families who want the full classic drive-in experience. Located just outside the Indianapolis area in Martinsville, Centerbrook has an arcade, playground, concessions, and a large grassy area where kids can burn off a little energy before the movie begins. Bring along a frisbee or football, spread out a blanket, and make an evening of it before settling in for the show. Movies are typically shown Thursday through Sunday, as well as on Tuesdays.
The Skyline Drive-In Theatre
3986 East Michigan Road, Shelbyville
The Skyline Drive-In Theatre in Shelbyville is a fun pick for families looking to turn movie night into a summer adventure. Open Wednesday through Sunday, Skyline offers plenty of chances to load up the car with blankets, pillows, and kids in pajamas for an evening at the movies under the stars. Their concessions menu has lots of reasonably priced options, making it easy to add snacks or dinner to your night out. Even the family pet can join the fun, since pets are welcome at the theater. Plan your visit for a Thursday night, and your ticket even includes free popcorn, which is pretty much the perfect addition to a drive-in movie night.
What to Bring to an Outdoor Movie Night With Kids
Outdoor movie nights are usually pretty simple, but a little preparation can make the evening much more comfortable. Bring blankets or low-backed lawn chairs for seating, bug spray, water bottles, and sweatshirts or light blankets for kids once the sun goes down. Even hot Indiana days can turn into cooler evenings when you are sitting still on the lawn.
Snacks are also part of the fun. Some locations allow families to bring food and drinks, while others may have food trucks, concession stands, or nearby restaurants. Check the event details before packing a cooler.
Because outdoor movies typically begin at dusk, bedtime may look a little different on movie night. Pajamas, a cozy blanket, and a planned easy morning the next day can make a late summer evening much more manageable for families with younger kids.
Plan a Summer Movie Night Under the Stars
Outdoor movies are one of those simple summer activities that can become a family tradition before you even realize it. They are affordable, easy to plan, and available in communities all around Indianapolis and Central Indiana. Whether your family is watching an animated movie in a neighborhood park, singing along to a musical on a summer night, or introducing your kids to a movie you loved growing up, it is a memorable way to enjoy time together.
Pick a movie from the schedules above, pack your chairs and snacks, and make a night of it. Summer movie nights are waiting, and the best seat in the house might just be on a blanket under the stars.
