- Weekend Family Fun in the Triangle: Events for September 6th-8th, 2024 - September 4, 2024
- 21 Shady Playgrounds in Raleigh and the Triangle - August 15, 2024
- 18 Best Playgrounds in Raleigh for Toddlers (+ Around the Triangle) - August 2, 2024
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 15
- June 12 (Special Date)
- Aug 21
Free Family Movies – Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Marquee Cinemas Wakefield 12 (Raleigh)
Here’s an awesome option for free kids movies this summer! 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 Monday through Thursday at 10:30am. 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. Movies on the list include E.T. and Matilda. Best of all, proceeds from Alamo Kids Camp all go to charities that support kids in need.
Showings are Mondays at 11:30am and start June 3rd.
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 (5 Triangle locations)
Regal Cinema’s offers one of the best deals for cheap summer kids movies. For just $1, you can grab tickets to a film on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings at 11:00am. (Some local theatres appear to offer some options at 11:30am as well, so check with each theatre before going!). Summer movies run June 11th through August 7th.
Participating theatres in our area include:
- Regal Brier Creek – 8611 Brier Creek Pkwy Raleigh, NC
- Regal Beaver Creek – 1441 Beaver Creek Commons Dr Apex, NC 27502
- Regal Crossroads Cary – 501 Caitboo Ave Cary, NC
- Regal North Hills -4150 Main Raleigh, NC
- Regal White Oak – 1205 Timber Dr E. Garner, 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!
Free Children’s Movies at the Holly Springs Cultural Center (Holly Springs)
Here’s another option for FREE summer movies for kids in the Triangle, and these have an option for evening showings, which a lot of parents will appreciate.
The Holly Springs Cultural Center will show free family friendly movies in their theatre on Wednesday mornings at 10:00am and Thursday evenings at 6:30pm. See the whole summer schedule here!
NCMA Outdoor Movie Series
At the North Carolina Museum of Art, a variety of outdoor films will be shown throughout the summer, including titles like Moana and Dreamgirls. Pricing is $5 for Members, $10 for Nonmembers (plus taxes and fees), and free for children 6 and under. The event begins at 8:30pm, so while this is a family-friendly event, it might be a bit late for younger kiddos!
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. Our 2024 movie lineup includes a mix of classic and contemporary films such as Barbie and The Parent Trap. 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 29: Barbie
July 20: The Parent Trap
August 17: Kung Fu Panda 4
Little Fentonian Flicks presented by Paragon Theaters (Cary)
Paragon Theaters will present free family friendly movies on Wednesday mornings at 10am in Fenton Square.
Dates and Movie Showings:
*Schedule is subject to change. Please check back for updates*
- 5/29: Hotel Transylvania
- 6/5: The Lego Movie
- 6/12: Minions: The Rise of Gru
- 6/19: Paddington 2
- 6/26: Despicable Me 3
- 7/3: Sonic The Hedgehog 2
- 7/10: Migration
- 7/17: Trolls Band Together
- 7/24: The Grinch
- 7/31: Secret Life of Pets 2
- 8/7: Spider-Man: Across The Spider Verse
- 8/14: Paw Patrol
- 8/21: Nanny McPhee
- 8/28: Judy Moody and The Not So Bummer Summer
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 25 – Beauty & The Beast (1991 animated version)
- June 15 – Minions: The Rise of Gru)
- July 20 – Kung Fu Panda 4
- August 3 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
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.
Free Retro Family Days at the Carolina Theatre (Durham)
This July, the Carolina Theatre will offer free showings on Saturday mornings of four classic family films. Movies will start at 11:30am. Click here for all the details!