A great way to beat the summer heat is with a movie in the cool and comfortable air-conditioning. With the cost of the tickets, popcorn, and drinks it can be so expensive. However, it doesn’t have to be, there are many places that offer free or very inexpensive movies for families all summer long. We’ve rounded up some of the special low-cost series as well as some free options so you can stay cool in front of the big screen.
Discounted Movies for Kids
Regal Summer Movie Express
Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:00 a.m., June 11 – August 14
Regal Lake Zurich 12, 755 S. Rand Rd, Lake Zurich
Regal Round Lake Beach Stadium 18, Rollins Crossing, 500 East Rollins Road, Round Lake Beach
Admission to the Summer Movie Express is only $1. Tickets available for purchase at the box office only. Movies start at 10 and each week both movies are shown on both days.
- June 18 & 19 – LEGO Batman Movie and House with a Clock in its Walls
- June 25 & 26 – Teen Titans Go! to the Movies and Paddington 2
- July 2 & 3 – Despicable Me 3 and Dr. Seuss the Grinch
- July 9 & 10 – LEGO Movie 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World
- July 16 & 17 – Smallfoot and The Secret Life of Pets
- July 23 & 24 – LEGO Movie and Captian Underpants: The First Epic Movie
- July 30 & 31 – Sing and How to Train Your Dragon 2
- August 6 & 7 – Penguins of Madagascar and Boss Baby
- August 13 & 14 – Kung Fu Panda 3 and LEGO Ninjago Movie
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse
Wednesdays and Thursdays 10:00 a.m., May 27 through September 8
Century 16 Deer Park, 2160 West Field Parkway, Deer Park
Admission is $1 per show at the box office or see all 10 movies for $5 with a punch card. The same movie is played both days.
- June 12 & 13 – Peter Rabbit
- June 19 & 20 – Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
- June 26 & 27 – How to Train Your Dragon
- July 3 & 4 – Small foot
- July 10 & 11 – Kung Fun Panda
- July 17 & 18 – The LEGO Movie
- July 24 & 25 – Spongebob Squarepants Out of Water
- July 31 & August 1 – Sherlock Gnomes
- August 7 & 8 – Hotel Transylvania 3
- August 14 & 15 – Despicable Me 3
Classic Cinemas Wintrust Wednesday Morning Movie Series
Wednesday 10:00 a.m.
Fox Lake Theater, 115 Town Centre Lane, Fox Lake
Admission is $1. Doors open at 9:00 a.m. for games, activities, and character visits, movie starts at 10:00 a.m.
- June 19 – Teen Titans Go! to the Movies
- June 26 – Smallfoot
- July 3 – Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
- July 10 – Hotel Transylvania 3
- July 17 – The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part
- July 24 – Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
- July 31 – How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World
- August 7 – Wonder Park
Kids Dream Summer Film Series
Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday at 10:00 a.m., June 16 – August 14
Gurnee Mills Cinema, 6144 Grand Ave. Gurnee
Tickets are only $3 each. Popcorn and Drink special for $2.75.
You can receive two free tickets, see link above for information on how to redeem them. a
- June 16, 17 & 19 – The LEGO Movie 2
- June 23, 24, & 26 – The Lorax
- June 30, July 1 & 3 – Smallfoot
- July 14, 15, & 17 – Hotel Transylvania 3
- July 21, 22, & 24 – Despicable Me
- July 28 ,29 & 31 – Wonder Park
- August 4, 5, & 7 – Dr. Seuss The Grinch
- August 11, 12, & 14 – How to Train Your Dragon 3
Free Movies for Kids
Many of the local libraries have movie showings that are absolutely free. Little kids may actually prefer the more relaxed and familiar setting of their local library for their first big screen experience. Check out some of the upcoming ones and watch our calendar for more dates.
Lights, Action, CRAFT
Tuesdays 10:00 a.m.
Fox Lake District Library, 295 East Grand Ave., Fox Lake
For children ages 3-5. Watch a short film and make a related craft project. In the Children’s Activity Center.
Kids Movie Night
June 20, 6:00 p.m.
Round Lake Area Public Library, 906 Hart Rd., Round Lake
Monthly kids movie night. Contact the library for this months movie title.
Check out all the Movies in the Park events happening, they are all free and a perfect summer outing.
Which one is your favorite movie series program? Are we missing any? Let us know in the comments!
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