Summer is right around the corner, and with its arrival comes a host of free and cheap movie showings for kids! There are plenty of these around the Triangle, so if you’re looking for an affordable way to have fun (and beat that summer heat) check out these options.
Free Wednesday Morning Movies – Halle Cultural Arts Center (Apex)
On select Wednesdays, kids and families can attend free movies showing on the big screen. Doors open at 9:30am and the movies start at 10:00am with no previews. Bring the kids, snacks, blankets, etc. and come on down.
- May 21
- June 18
- July 16
- Aug 20
Downtown Cary 2025 Movie Night Series
It’s no secret that Downtown Cary Park is a hub for fun family events. Did you know they offer a free outdoor movie series during the spring, summer, and fall? These movies are something the whole family will enjoy! Check out the titles for the coming months:
- May 23 – Moana 2
- June 13 – The Lion King
- July 3 – Top Gun
- July 11 – Shrek
- August 8 – Guardians of the Galaxy
- August 20 – Wicked
- And more into the fall!
These movies are always held on Friday evenings (with the exception of a movie Thursday July 3rd) and include themed pre-show crafts and activities. Don’t miss it!
Free Family Movies – Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Marquee Cinemas Wakefield 12 (Raleigh)
Here’s an awesome option for free kids movies this summer! Beginning June 24th, on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 9:30am, the Wakefield 12 theatre in Raleigh offers a selection of TWO free movies to choose from. What a perfect way to enjoy an exciting movie on the big screen! This year’s choices can be seen below:
Summer Movie Clubhouse – Cinemark Bistro (Raleigh)
Cinemark offers 10 weeks of summer movies at select locations. In the Triangle, that’s the Cinemark Bistro Raleigh. For just $1.75 (plus tax) per ticket, movies are shown on Wednesdays at 10:00am, June 4 through August 6. The movie changes each week, and there are some exciting films coming this summer!
More info here
Alamo Kids Camp – Alamo Drafthouse (Raleigh)
The Alamo Drafthouse in Raleigh will be offering $5 movie tickets as part of Alamo Kids Camp. Showings include animated classics, recent family faves, and beloved films all screening for just $5 a ticket. Best of all, proceeds from Alamo Kids Camp all go to charities that support kids in need.
According to their schedule, movies seem to show at 12:15pm or 12:30pm, mostly on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, but I see a few Fridays on there as well.
2025 Schedule
- The Garfield Movie – 6/16, 6/17, and 6/18
- Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile – 6/23, 6/24, 6/25
- Hotel Transylvania – 6/27, 6/30, 7/1, 7/2
- The Bad Guys – 7/7, 7/8, 7/9
- The Wild Robot – 7/11, 7/14, 7/15, 7/16
- Puss in Boots: The Last Wish – 7/18, 7/21, 7/22, 7/23
- Minions: The Rise of Gru – 7/25, 7/28, 7/29, 7/30
Baby Day at Alamo Drafthouse (Raleigh)
While this isn’t exactly a movie for kids situation, it deserves a mention on this list as a unique offering for families. On Tuesdays before 2pm, adults can watch “a grown-up movie in a baby-friendly environment.” This is a great way to head to the movies if you have kiddos 2 & under. Those ages are free (as long as they can sit on a lap). Older kids are not free, but the movies aren’t necessarily kid friendly, so use your judgement, parents.
More Info
Regal Summer Movie Express – Regal Cinemas (Raleigh & Garner)
Regal Cinema’s offers one of the best deals for cheap summer kids movies. For just $1, you can grab tickets to the first showing on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings. Usually 10:00am or 11:00am; check with each theatre before going!). Summer movies run June 10th through August 6th
At the time of publishing this article, participating theatres in our area include:
- Regal White Oak – 1205 Timber Dr E. Garner, NC
- Regal Brier Creek – 8611 Brier Creek Pkwy Raleigh, NC
AMC’s Summer Movie Camp for Kids (Morrisville & Durham)
Two AMC theatres appear to be participating in the Summer Movie Camp for Kids: AMC Park Place 16 on Chapel Hill Road in Morrisville, and AMC Southpoint 17 in Durham. Movies are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, with showings at 11:00am and 2:00pm. Tickets are $3. Check the website for the most accurate schedule!
Summer Movie Mornings $1 – EVO Entertainment
EVO Entertainment, with a theatre at Parkside in Cary, has a great summer deal: $1 movies!
10 weeks of movies will be shown, at 10:00am daily, with tickets for only $1. This is a deal you can’t beat! Here is the schedule of what’s playing for Summer 2025:
Rhythm & Reels – Outdoor music & movies (Apex)
On select Saturday evenings this summer you can head over to the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre for a night of music and movies under the stars. Bring your family and friends, pack a picnic basket, and come enjoy a memorable, magical summer evening!
Events are held at the Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre (2600 Evans Road.) Load up the kids, lawn chairs, blankets, a picnic dinner and show up early for good seats! No Pets or Alcohol allowed.
June 28: Shrek
July 19: Moana 2
August 16: A Minecraft Movie
Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park (Wake Forest)
Once per month during the summer months, Joyner Park hosts a family movie night. This year, the schedule is as follows:
- May 24 – Monsters, Inc.
- June 14 – Moana 2
- July 19 – Mufasa: The Lion King
- August 2 – Transformers One
Movies begin at 8:30pm with some pre-show movie-related activities beginning at 7:30pm.
B&B Theatres Kids Summer Series – Morrisville Park West 14 (Morrisville)
Family-friendly films are shown Tuesdays through Thursdays at select B&B Theatres. The Morrisville Park West 14 is our local participating cinema. Check out the schedule of movies below:
Showings are generally at 10:00am and 12:30 pm and pricing is $5, or $3 for Backstage Pass Members. More information can be found here.
Triangle Cinemas 2025 Summer Kid Series
Triangle Cinemas presents FREE Kids Movies for 8 weeks this summer! Check out the schedule here. Movies start at 10am Tuesdays – Fridays. Get more info here.
First Friday Market & Movie Night – Downtown Raleigh
Throughout the summer, check out this fun event that combines a free family-friendly movie with food trucks, activities, games, music, and more! These events happen through the summer and into the early autumn.
This event is held in Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh.
This event is presented by Get2KnowRaleigh in partnership with Raleigh Park’s Moore Square team.
Schedule:
- June 6: Shrek 2
- July 4: Top Gun Maverick
- August 1: Inside Out 2
- September 12: E.T.
- October 3: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
- November 7: The Princess Diaries
Kids Summer Movie Camp – The Lumina, Chapel Hill
On Tuesdays at 10:00am throughout the summer, you can enjoy $3 movies that kids will love. This is Kids Summer Movie Camp, held at The Lumina in Chapel Hill, located in Southern Village.
Here’s the summer 2025 schedule:
- June 24: The Wild Robot
- July 1: The Bad Guys
- July 8: Trolls Band Together
- July 15: The Land Before Time
- July 22: Shrek
- July 29: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
- August 5: Minions: the Rise of Gru
- August 12: An American Tail
Movies on the Green – Southern Village Green, Chapel Hill
This outdoor movie series is presented by Lumina & Boer Brothers Heating & Cooling. Southern Village is a beautiful spot and is great for an evening film!
Tickets for Movies on the Green are $6.25 per person. It’s also important to note, while the movies included are generally family-friendly, certain titles may be better for older audiences.
Movies take place every Saturday night from June 7th-September 13th.
The Schedule:
- June 7: American Graffiti
- June 14: Tommy Boy
- June 21: The Parent Trap (1998)
- June 28: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
- July 5: Back to the Future
- July 12: The Princess Bride
- July 19: Home Alone
- July 26: Napoleon Dynamite
- August 2: The Neverending Story
- August 9 : Happy Gilmore
- August 16: Pride & Prejudice
- August 23: Paddington 2
- August 30: The Sandlot
- September 6: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- September 13: The Greatest Showman
The Cary Theater – Cary
Escape the heat with the Summer Family Series at The Cary Theater in Downtown Cary. These movie showings are only $4! Check out the schedule below.
All showings are happening Sundays at 12 noon.
“Flashback Flicks” Outdoor Movie Series @ the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club – Durham
You’re invited to Flashback Flicks, the free outdoor movie series kicking off Wednesday, June 4 at 8 p.m. at Terrace on the Green with Legally Blonde.
Each Wednesday in June, guests can enjoy feel-good films that celebrate college life, from friendship and fun to big dreams and underdog wins.
🎬 Upcoming Lineup:
- June 4 – Legally Blonde (PG-13)
- June 11 – Monsters University (G)
- June 18 – Rudy (PG)
- June 25 – Pitch Perfect (PG-13)
Relax under the stars with complimentary popcorn or order from the Bull Durham Bar menu. Admission is free; outside food and drinks are not allowed.