Welcome to the NW Columbus Macaroni Kid Summer Movies Guide. This is where you'll find free, cheap, movies as well as fun outdoor movie events in and around Columbus. These movies are a great way to beat the heat this summer or even better for rainy days to keep the kids from going stir-crazy.
Please note: Many of the movie series are free to attend but you may have to buy refreshments at some venues. For the outdoor movies, please note that summer weather is unpredictable, as is technology, so it is always good to call ahead/check online and ensure that the movie is playing (on that venue's website as we don't get notified of cancellations).
Summer Movie Camp at AMC Dublin Village
If you are looking for something to do with the kids once the school year ends and summer break kicks off, AMC Theatres has you covered. Between June and August 2025, AMC Summer Movie Camp, this fan-favorite program will bring back some of the best animated movies of the past few years. Just $3+tax every Monday and Wednesday! Enjoy Summer Movie Camp 6/23-8/13
But that’s not all, as you’ll also be able to catch up with Gru and the Minions before the upcoming release of DESPICABLE ME 4, as multiple titles from the beloved franchise will be returning to the silver screen with family-friendly pricing -- tickets are $3 plus tax -- throughout the summer. Here are the cool movies that’ll help you beat the heat this summer…
Available at these AMC Theatre's throughout Columbus: AMC Dublin Village, AMC Columbus 10, AMC Easton Town Center 30, AMC Grove City 14
2025 Free Summer Movies at The Strand Delaware
Enjoy a free movie and help the community! Every Tuesday at 10am and 2:30pm. All shows are free with a provided donation.
View the list below for details!
SUMMER LINEUP:
June 3rd - The Wizard of Oz
June 10th - Kung Fu Panda 4
June 17th - IF
June 24th - Wild Robot
July 8th - Despicable Me 4
July 15th - Sonic 3
July 22nd - The Garfield Movie
July 29th - The Beethoven Movie
2025 Phoenix Lennox 24 Free Summer Movie Series
Shows start at 10am, doors open at 9am every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Special kiddie meal available
SUMMER LINEUP:
June 3-5: The Bad Guys | Curious George
June 10-12: The Wild Robot | Sing 2
June 17-19: Trolls Band Together | Shrek
June 24-26: Despicable Me 4 | An American Tail
Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse The Emoji Movie
July 1-3: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish | Kung Fu Panda 4
July 8-10: Migration | The Land Before Time
July 15-17: The Garfield Movie | Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
July 22-24: The Angry Birds Movie 2 | Hotel Transylvania 3 (Summer Vacation)
July 29-31: Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse | Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
August 5-7: Spider-Man: Across the Spider Verse | Harold and the Purple Crayon
2025 Kids Dream Summer Movie Series at Marcus Crosswoods Cinemas
Catch a family-friendly movie for just $3 Sunday - Thursday @ 11 am, from June 8 - July 31.
Marcus also offers $3 popcorn and drink specials. And don't miss your free ticket!
Don't miss your chance to purchase a Kids Dream Passport, which entitles the passport holder to see each film at any theatre hosting the series for just $12!
THE MOVIE SERIES LINEUP:
Despicable Me 4 - June 8-12
Harold and the Purple Crayon - June 15-19
A Sloth Story - June 22-26
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 - June 29 - July 3
The Garfield Movie - July 6-10
Kung Fu Panda 4 - July 13-17
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse - July 20-24
The Wild Robot - July 27-31
Summer Movie Clubhouse (Cinemark Polaris 18 & Xtreme)
Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark is nearly here—get your tickets now! Bring the kids and enjoy exciting big-screen entertainment for just $1.75* per ticket for each movie. Save even more on your visit with $1 OFF deals on kids’ snack packs and any size popcorn & drink combos during Summer Movie Clubhouse showtimes. Participating theatres will host Summer Movie Clubhouse on select days, June 2 through August 7. Be sure to check your local theatre for more Summer Movie Clubhouse fun!
SUMMER LINEUP:
June 2 - 5: The Bad Guys
June 9th - 12th: The Spongebob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
June 16th - 19th: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
June 23rd - 26th: Shrek 2
June 30th - July 3rd: Despicable Me 4
July 7th - 10th: Kung Fu Panda 4
July 14th - 17th: The Wild Robot
July 21st - 24th: Sonic The Hedgehog 3
July 28th - 31st: The Garfield Movie
August 4th - 7th: The Lego Batman Movie
DIVE-IN MOVIES at Zoombezi Bay
Make your way towards the Wild Tides Wave Pool as the sun is setting and secure your spot for the show. Each Friday features a different movie, making this the summer series you won’t want to miss! Float in the wave pool as your favorite films play on the big screen and dance along to live music—all in a tropical paradise built for family fun. It’s the ultimate way to soak up summer, and it’s happening on select nights at Zoombezi Bay! Friday nights from 5pm - 10pm.
SUMMER LINEUP:
July 5: Guardians of the Galaxy
July 11: Finding Dory
July 18: Barbie
July 25: Zootopia
South Drive-In Theatre
Open 7 Nights A Week!
Gate Opens Fri-Sun 7:30p/Mon-Thurs 8:15p | Screen 1 91.9 Fm
Ticket Prices Are Per Person (Includes a 5% Columbus City Entertainment/Excise Tax)
$12.50 - Per Person for Ages 12+ Every Day
$6.50 - Children Ages 5 – 11 Every Day
Free - Kids 4 & Under are Free
Additional Outdoor Movie Events!
Cinema Saturdays Part of the Dublin Summer Fun Series
Cinema Saturdays - you're encouraged to bring blankets and pick up dinner in Downtown Dublin to enjoy a movie in Riverside Crossing Park on Saturdays throughout the summer. The early movies will be geared toward younger audiences (rated G), while the later screenings will be for teens and older viewers (rated up to PG-13).
June 14: 6:30 p.m. Wicked
June 28: 6 p.m. Mufasa, The Lion King | 8:15 p.m. M3gan
July 12: 6 p.m. Inside Out 2 | 8 p.m. Black Panther
July 26: 6 p.m. Super Mario Bros. Movie | 8 p.m. Jurassic World
August 9: 6 p.m. Moana 2 | 8 p.m. Top Gun Maverick
Upper Arlington Movies in the Park
Experience the joy of movie watching in the great outdoors. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and snacks to enhance your movie-watching experience. If a movie is cancelled due to inclement weather (rain or winds over 15 mph), it will not be rescheduled (weather hotline: 614-583-5345). Movies are free.
Friday, June 13: Freaky Friday
Friday, July 11: Wild Robot|
Friday, August 8: Wicked
September 12: Remember the Titans
Columbus Commons
FREE FAMILY MOVIE NIGHTS
Round up the whole family and head to the Commons for a free movie surrounded by the stars and the city skyline. This event is free and open to the public and lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Free popcorn while supplies last.
June 20 | Inside Out
July 18 | Surf's Up
August 1 | Tangled
September 5 | Moana 2
*These dates follow free Family Fun Day programming.
Movies at the Dam
Head to Alum Creek for some dam fun movie nights! Prepare to enjoy the enchantment of the silver screen in a unique outdoor atmosphere. Bring your loved ones, friends, and a warm blanket for an unforgettable FREE movie night series!
Snacks are available for purchase through our good friends at SACCA. Please note that movie start times vary throughout the summer due to the changes to the sunset time.
Awaiting details for 2025
Free Family Flick Nights
at Hinson Amphitheater
This summer, the Foundation will screen three FREE family movies on The Mershad Digital Experience. This state-of-the-art, 20’x 36’ LED video wall provides audiences with next-level technology in a super-sized format. Gates open at 6:30pm and the movies start at 7:30pm. Admission is free and there are no tickets required. Food trucks with summer treats will be on hand for guests to enjoy or pack your own picnic. Chairs and blankets encouraged. * Alcohol is prohibited on Family Flick Nights
June 10: Incredibles
July 15: Little Mermaid
August 12: Shreck
Movie Nights At Topiary Park
Come together at the beautiful Topiary Park downtown for free movie nights throughout the summer.
Movies start around sunset but there will be food trucks at 7:30, movie starts at 8:30.
July 25: Clueless
August 22: The Goonies
September 25: Ghostbusters
Easton Movies
Every Friday evening in June, catch a fan-favorite movie for the whole family. Showtime is at 7:00PM but guests are encouraged to arrive beginning at 6:00PM to enjoy themed treats and additional entertainment prior to the movie.
Movie Lineup:
Friday, June 6: Wicked, Part 1
Friday, June 13: The Lego Movie
Friday, June 20: Encanto
Friday, June 27: Moana 2
Movies Under the Stars at Greenlawn Abbey
Movies Under The Stars 2025. Every movie night comes with tours of the Abbey, an array of tasty treats with food trucks on site and thirst-quenching beverages available. Don’t forget to bring your own blanket or chair for the ultimate outdoor movie experience.
Tickets are $10 per person per movie, parking: free! Tickets will be available for pre-purchase.
Please note - these are NOT all family-friendly films.
September 12: Scream
September 26: The Lost Boys
October 3: Hocus Pocus
Oct 17: ...
Screen on the Green in Goodale Park!
Pack your chair and blanket and join the Short North Civic Association this summer on the softball field in Goodale Park for movies under the stars, projected on a giant inflatable screen with cinema-quality sound. Admission is FREE for all. Parking is available on adjacent streets and the Convention Center garage is easy walking distance.
Note: I did not include the dates and titles for these movies as some of them are rated R and not kid-friendly. I included left the link here as this could be a date night idea.
NW Columbus Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in Columbus, Ohio. We gather all kinds of local family events and activities each week and add useful information about events, festivals, fairs, classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, giveaways, and more. We proudly serve families in Columbus, Dublin, Hilliard, Powell, West Clintonville, West Worthington, Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Plain City! NW Columbus Macaroni Kid is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of kid-friendly events on our event calendar. Do YOU know of any summer movies we missed? Email heathers@macaronikid.com to get them included. Have an event you'd like submitted to our calendar for consideration? Submit an event here. Like what you see here and want to get all the fun delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter for the 411 on local family fun! #CbusMacKid
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