🎬 Looking for free or affordable family movies in Columbus this summer? Macaroni KID has you covered! From discounted summer movies in theaters to fun outdoor screenings under the stars, the Columbus area offers plenty of budget-friendly ways to enjoy a film with the kids. This 2025 guide highlights the best free and low-cost indoor and outdoor movie events happening throughout Columbus, Ohio—including locations in Westerville, Worthington, Galena, Gahanna, Lewis Center, Polaris, and more. Whether you're planning a weekend outing or a weeknight adventure, there’s something magical (and affordable!) for every family. 🎥🍿🎞️🌙
Free Outdoor Family Movies 🌟 🍿
Check back, as we will be adding more!
Columbus Commons Summer Movie Series (Downtown): FREE.
June 20 | Inside Out
July 18 | Surf's Up
August 1 | Tangled
September 5 | Moana 2
Settle in for a family-friendly movie at the park. Bring a chair, blanket or hang out on the lawn and enjoy the movie.
Round up the whole family and head to the Commons for a free movie surrounded by the stars and city skyline. Free popcorn while supplies last.
Easton Town Center Family Movies (Town Square): FREE. 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
Genoa Township Family Movies (McNamara Park): FREE. Saturdays at 7:30pm, movies at dusk. Kid-friendly activity will happen before most movies.
- June 14 - Moana 2
- July 12 - Dogman
- August 9 - Rain date
New Albany's Family Movies at the Hinson Amphitheater: Free. 7:30-9 pm
- June 10 – Incredibles
- July 15 – The Little Mermaid
- August 12 – Shreck
Gates Open at 6:30 p.m., Movies at 7:30 p.m.
Bexley’s Family Movie Night (Main Event): (Capital University's Main Street Lawn) FREE. During the fun monthly Main Event, full of kid and family activities, food trucks, they will also show a movie at dusk.
- May 30- The Wild Robot
- August 15: Inside Out 2
- September 12: IF
Sunbury Movie Night On the Square (Sunbury Square – downtown Sunbury): FREE - Fridays below
June 6 - Moana 2
July 11 - Wicked
August 1 - Despicable Me 4
Reynoldsburg's Movie Nights in the Park (Huber Park): Free. Gather with friends and family and make your way to the park for a nightout. There will be food trucks, live music, a variety of games and activities and movie under teh stars at dusk.
- June 6: Dog Man @ Dusk | Blue Pup & Friends @ 6-6:45
- August 1: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles @ Dusk | Day Drinking Band 6-8:30
- September 5: Kung Fu Panda 4 @ Dusk | Little Big Band of Columbus 6-8:30
Pickerington's Friday Family Flicks (Sycamore Park Amphitheater): FREE. Bring a blanket and chairs to enjoy a free movie with family and friends.
- Friday, June 27 - Moana 2
Movies at the Topiary Park (Downtown): Free.
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
Cinema Under the Stars: Family-friendly movie nights under the open sky. Join us at Friendship Park at 5 p.m. for yard games, crafts, and fun for the whole family. The big screen lights up at 8 p.m. so bring a blanket and chairs and get ready for a show under the stars.
- June 20: Moana 2
- July 18: Kung Fu Panda 4
- August 15: Madame Webb
🎟️ Need a break from the heat—or a backup plan for a rainy day? Indoor movie deals are a perfect way to cool off and keep the kids entertained this summer. With several Columbus-area theaters offering special summer pricing, you can enjoy a morning or afternoon escape that’s fun, affordable, and air-conditioned! From $1 movie mornings to family-friendly showtimes throughout the week, it’s an easy win for summer fun. ☀️🌧️🎬
2025 Free Summer Movie Series | Phoenix Lennox 24
Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Doors open at 9am, Shows start at 10am
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
Cinemark Theaters Summer Movie Clubhouse
(Gahanna and Polaris Rave): June 2 - August 7. 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. The Cinemark Polaris 18 and XD and Cinemark Stoneridge Plaza Movies 16 (Gahanna) theatres will host Summer Movie Clubhouse on Wednesdays at 9:30am. Select theatres will offer additional showtimes throughout the week, so be sure to check their website 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
| View your favorite family movies for only $3 (+tax) between June 8 and July 31, 2025. Or Purchase a Kids Dream Passport, which entitles passport holders to see each film at any theatre hosting the series for just $12. 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 |
CAPA Summer Movie Series at the Ohio Theatre (55 East State St., Downtown):
The CAPA Summer Movie Series is back! Our 56th series of classic films and cult favorites will run June 13 – August 24 at the historic Ohio Theatre and feature 28 films. $6 per ticket, or package of 10 tickets for $40 ( can be used for movies all summer).
NE Columbus Macaroni Kid is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information on Columbus' north, northeast, and east side, and surrounding areas. I gather all kinds of local family events and activities to do with kids each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and seasonal guides and more. For seven years, I have been proudly serving families in Lewis Center, Worthington, Sunbury, Westerville, Gahanna, Galena, Columbus, Bexley, New Albany, Pataskala, Blacklick, Johnstown, Reynoldsburg, Clintonville, Polaris area, downtown, and surrounding areas! Subscribe Now and stay in the know with fun activities for kids and things to do! North & NE, East Columbus parent's go-to resource for over a decade and counting!
| Studio 35 Free Summer Kids Series: Free admission for kids! Every Wednesday at 10:30am and 1pm and Saturday at 10:30am. NO DETAILS for 2025 yet |
Metro Parks Summer Movie Nights - Still awaiting details for 2025
Blendon Woods
Free. Bring your own seating, movie starts at dark.
Saturday September
Sharon Woods Family Movie Night (Apple Ridge Area): Free at 8pm, with activities before the movie. Bring your own seats
Friday August
Blacklick Woods Golf Course: Free. Bring your own seats
Friday
Friday August
Highbanks (Big Meadow Park): Free.
Saturday September 23- Rise of Gru
