Summer weather in Kansas can be as unpredictable as…well, as any time of the year in Kansas. This makes it vital that we have a fully loaded bag of tricks to keep our little people busy! For those days when it feels as hot as the surface of the sun and you cannot face the idea of spending another second in the heat or when the sky rips open and dumps buckets of water on that picnic you had planned, summer movies are there to welcome you and your little people.
Here is a list of cheap and free family-friendly movie options to add to your Wichita summer arsenal!
Starlite Drive-In
If you want to have a truly unique moving going experience Starlite Drive-In is the perfect option. Starlite offers double features Sunday through Thursday and triple features Friday and Saturday. Friday and Saturday gates open at 8:15 so if you plan to stay for all three features consider bringing blankets and pillows may make your full evening of movie going a little more comfortable. Be sure to check their website for the most up to date list of features.
Children 4 and under: Free
Ages 5-11: $3
Age 12 and over: $9
Wichita Art Museum
Wichita Art Museum and Tallgrass Film Association are teaming up again this summer to bring a unique outdoor cinema experience that shouldn’t be missed. On June 15th movie goers will gather at 6:30pm to enjoy live music. Then after the sun has set the lights will come up for a special outdoor viewing of Arrival beginning at 9pm.
Derby Plaza Theaters
Derby Plaza Theaters is offering their Summer Movies series again this year and tickets for participating movies are $2. New films are featured every Tuesday-Thursday at 10:30am.
June 5 – June 7:: Boss Baby
June 12 – June 14:: Ferdinand
June 19 – June 21:: Despicable Me 3
June 26 – June 28:: The Star
July 10 – July 12:: Smurfs: Lost Village
July 17 – July 19:: Wonder
July 24 – July 26:: Emoji Movie
July 31 – August 2:: Captain Underpants
Rock River Rapids
Throw on a swim suit and hit the water at Rock River Rapids in Derby for a Dive-In Movie. Doors open at 8pm on June 14th for a feature showing of Disney’s Moana and July 26. Tickets can be purchased through their website for $5.
June 14:: Moana
July 26:: Field of Dreams
AMC Northrock 14 Theater
North Rock 14 offers $5 movies every Tuesday to members of their AMC Stubs program. Also members of the Stubs program can purchase a Cameo Combo for just $5.
Warren Old Town Theater Grille
Warren Old Town Theater Grille offers $5 movies every Wednesday. This is another great way to see those new releases for a discounted price.
Warren West 17
Regal Cinemas is bringing their Summer Movie Express to Warren West 17. Two new films are featured every Tuesday & Wednesday at 10:00am. Tickets for each feature film are only $1.00!
June 5 – June 6:: The Iron Giant & Curious George
June 12 – June 13:: Despicable Me & Ice Age: Collision Course
June 19 – June 20:: Stokes & Mr. Peabody and Sherman
June 26 – June 27:: Despicable Me 2 & How to Train Your Dragon 2
July 3 – July 4:: The LEGO Movie & Alvin and the Chipmunks
July 10 – July 11:: Sing & The Peanut Movie
July 17 – July 18:: The LEGO Ninjago Movie & Ferdinand
July 24 – July 25:: The Secret Life of Pets & Alvin and the Chipmunks The Squeakquel
July 31 – August 1:: The LEGO Batman Movie & Trolls
Kiwanis Park
Orchard Breeze Neighborhood Association is hosting FREE family movie nights in June. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the movies in the great outdoors beginning at 6:30pm.
June 8:: Batman vs Superman
July 26:: Zootopia
Park City Pride
Hap McLean Park will be the venue for this years Movies in the Park Series offered by Park City Pride. Grab your blankets or lawn chairs and kick back at sundown to enjoy a family friendly movie. Popcorn and lemonade will be available for free to all attendees.
June 23:: Paddington 2
July 21:: Coco
August 18:: Wonder
Wichita-Area Libraries
In addition to encouraging families to read throughout the summer with summer reading programs, Wichita and Metro-Area Libraries are offering movie screenings as a way to help families beat the heat. Movies being shown range from fun vintage films to newer releases and many locations are offering popcorn to movie goers. Below is a list of locations and movies being shown, but be sure to visit each libraries website for more specifics.
Wichita Rockwell Library will be featuring Leap! on June 15 at 3:00pm.
Park City Public Library movies begin at 12:30 each Thursday in July:
June 7:: Cars 3
June 14:: Wizard of Oz
June 21:: Beauty and the Beast
June 28:: Coco
July 5:: Lion King
July 12:: Moana
July 19:: Despicable Me 3
July 26:: Snow White
August 2:: Little Mermaid
August 9:: Jungle Book
Andover Public Library will be bringing back their Summer Family Movie series. Movies will begin at 2pm each Tuesday beginning June 5th through the end of July. Families are encouraged to bring their pillows and blankets while popcorn will be provided by the library.
Valley Center Public Library will be moving to a new building this summer, but hope to bring back their movie series in July. Check their website for up to date information.
If you know of any other cheap or free summer movies happening around town, include them in the comments below, and we’ll add them to our list!
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