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Free Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles this Summer for Kids

Enjoy family movies in the moonlight. Photo courtesy of 2nd & PCH
Enjoy family movies in the moonlight. Photo courtesy of 2nd & PCH
5/21/23 - By Toby B

Summertime means outdoor movies in Los Angeles! 

And... action! 'Tis the season of free outdoor summer movie series which are popping up all over the city. At parks and beaches, by land or by boat, in the early morning and by the light of the moon, families can catch recent blockbusters and timeless classics for free. 

Searching for other ways to catch your favorite flick under the stars? We've got a comprehensive list of all the best drive-in movie theaters in and around Los Angeles. Plus, don't miss our Summer Activities Guide.  

More Free Summer Fun in Los Angeles

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Free Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles

Friday Movie Nights at Ovation Hollywood

Ovation Hollywood
March 22 - November 29, 2024
The monthly movies in the Center Courtyard at Ovation Hollywood return for another season!  Upcoming films include Bee Movie, The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Barbie. April's film is the 2007 animated feature Bee Movie READ MORE

Free Movies on the Lawn (Jamaica Bay Inn)

Jamaica Bay Inn, Marina del Rey
April 7 - May 26, 2024
Marina del Rey's Jamaica Bay Inn hosts a free outdoor movie series on its beachfront lawn. Warm drinks, snacks, and treats are available for purchase.  READ MORE

Movie Fridays on Third Street Promenade

Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
April 12 - June 14, 2024
Wildcats everywhere!  Especially on Third Street Promenade. Everybody sing along! Outdoor screenings return to Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade. First up in April is High School Musical. READ MORE

Queen Mary’s 2024 Movie Nights

Queen Mary, Long Beach
May 15 - September 18, 2024
Your ship has come in -- and she's showing movies! Movie Nights are back at the Queen Mary. The community is invited to soak up the silver screen under the summer night sky, as free movies screen at the majestic Queen Mary. READ MORE

Movies Under the Stars (One Colorado)

One Colorado, Pasadena
June 1 - July 27, 2024
On select Saturdays in June and July, One Colorado shows free films in the courtyard. This year the title selections are some of One Colorado's favorite musicals and blockbusters. READ MORE

Agoura Hills Movies in the Park

Reyes Adobe Park, Agoura Hills
June 8, 2024
Families are invited to watch movies under the stars in Reyes Adobe Park.  All movies are free and start at dusk. The movies for 2023 are National Treasure and The Incredibles. READ MORE

Torrance Movies in the Park 2024

Various parks in Torrance
June 15 - August 17, 2024
Movies begin at dusk (around 8pm) for these free movie screenings at parks in Torrance. Bring warm clothes, lawn chairs, and picnics.  READ MORE

Rancho Palos Verdes Movies in the Park

Rancho Palos Verdes Civic Center, Rancho Palos Verdes
June 15 - August 10, 2024
Rancho Palos Verdes' free Movie in the Park screenings are held at the Ken Dyda Civic Center. Moviegoers should bring a blanket and/or low slung beach chairs.  READ MORE

Summer Movies in the Park (Monterey Park)

Barnes Park, Monterey Park
June 20 - August 8, 2024
Monterey Park's free movie nights are held at Barnes Park Field this year.  Films include recent releases such as The Super Mario Bros Movie and Barbie. READ MORE

2024 Arcadia Summer Concerts and Movies in the Park

City Hall West Lawn, Arcadia
June 20 - August 8, 2024
Arcadia's summer movie and concert series are held together. Concerts begin at 6:30pm, followed by the movies at dusk.  All of this year's movies are rated PG. READ MORE

City of Inglewood‎ Movies in the Park

Various Parks in Inglewood
June 29 - August 17, 2024
The City of Inglewood hosts free family-friendly movies in a variety of outdoor locations. Guests should bring blankets and lawn chairs. Food trucks offer food for purchase. READ MORE

NoHo Summer Nights: Movies

North Hollywood
June 29 - August 24, 2024
Most of the films shown at NoHo Summer Nights this summer are from the last few years, starting with Top Gun: Maverick on June 29. READ MORE

Parks Make Life Better! with Movies in the Park 2024

Various parks in Culver City
July 6 - 27, 2024
Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services is celebrating summer with movies at various parks throughout the area. Gates open at 7pm for each outdoor movie. Bring your own blankets, camping chairs, and snacks for these free events.  READ MORE

Alhambra Movies in the Park 2024

Alhambra Park Bandshell, Alhambra
July 6 - August 3, 2024
The family-friendly screenings at the Alhambra Park Bandshell come with a little something extra: guests might be treated to a kids concert,  bubbles, or character appearances. READ MORE

San Fernando Movies in the Park

Various parks in San Fernando
July 19 - August 2, 2024
The City of San Fernando invites families for an evening of popcorn and films. READ MORE

City Cinemas in the Park: Santa Clarita

Various parks in Santa Clarita
July 26 - October 25, 2024
Santa Clarita takes advantage of the city's open spaces to screen movies under the stars. Screenings are held on fourth Fridays throughout the summer and fall. Locations and times vary, so make sure to reference the schedule below. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Food is available for purchase at local food trucks, or feel free to pack a picnic.  READ MORE

Cinemalibu

Malibu Bluffs Park, Malibu
July 27 & August 17, 2024
Game on: the first Cinemalibu screening at Malibu Bluffs Park this summer is Space Jam, (the 1996 version). READ MORE

Movies on the Green (Warner Center)

Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills
August 3 - 31, 2024
Barbie is showing at Warner Center Park this summer, and that's Kenough. Films are presented on a 30-foot theatrical screen with digital projection, surround sound, and high-resolution digital picture.  Other selections this year include Wish, Elemental, and Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom READ MORE
Watch Hollywood stars under the stars. Photo courtesy of the Irvine Spectrum Center
Watch Hollywood stars under the stars. Photo courtesy of the Irvine Spectrum Center

Free Outdoor Movies in Orange County

Newport Dunes Movies on the Beach

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, Newport Beach
Fridays & Saturdays starting May 10, 2024
Movies on the Beach is back! Families can watch family-friendly films on the sand at Newport Dunes Resort. READ MORE

La Habra Movies in the Park 2024

Various Parks in La Habra
May 17 - October 19, 2024
The city of La Habra shows free movies this summer at different parks. This season's highlights include  recent releases such as Disney's Wish, TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, and Migration​. READ MORE

Yorba Linda Movies in the Park

Various parks in Yorba Linda
May 18 - October 19, 2024
Yorba Linda hosts free monthly movies in the park shown on a giant inflatable screen. READ MORE

Dana Point Movies in the Park

Lantern Park, Dana Point
June 7 - 28, 2024
Dana Point offers free movies for the whole family in various parks on Fridays in June. These free movie nights bring back the nostalgic feel of a drive-in movie, but without the car.  READ MORE

Santa Ana Movies in the Park 2024

Various parks in Santa Ana
June 7 - July 6, 2024
Free popcorn and a movie, what more can you ask? The 2024 Santa Ana Movies in the Park series takes place on Fridays at various city parks throughout Santa Ana. Extra fun includes inflatables and themed activities.  READ MORE

OC Parks Sunset Cinema Movie Series 2024

Various parks in Orange County
June 7 - August 30, 2024
OC Parks screens free family-friendly movies at rotating locations on Fridays this summer. This year's selections include recent releases Wonka, Barbie, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, as well as classics such as 13 Going on 30 and The Goonies READ MORE

Movies on the Lawn

Orange County Great Park, Irvine
June 27 - August 1, 2024
Families can enjoy an outdoor movie experience under the stars at the Orange County Great Park. Bring your own low-back beach chair, blanket, and snacks. Food and light refreshments are available for purchase. READ MORE

Tustin Summer Movies in the Park 2023

Various parks in Tustin
July 5 - August 2, 2024
Tustin celebrates summer with free movies on Friday nights, held in a different park each week. Movies shown include Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Space Jam: A New Legacy. READ MORE

Segerstrom Center's Movies on the Argyros Plaza

Segerstrom Center, Costa Mesa
July 8 - August 5, 2024
Every Monday through August 5, Segerstrom Center screens free movies under the stars on the Argyros Plaza. The selections this year include The Muppet Movie, Pitch Perfect and Jurassic Park. READ MORE

Family Movies Under the Stars (Buena Park)

Boisseranc Park, Buena Park
July 11 & August 1, 2024
Families can gather in Buena Park's Boisseranc Park for free movies under the stars. READ MORE

Free Outdoor Movies in Ventura County

Movies at the Park (Thousand Oaks)

Thousand Oaks Community Park
May 24 - September 20, 2024
Conejo Recreation and Parks invites families to three special community events held at Thousand Oaks Community Park. Each evening features a movie screening and fun activities. This summer's movies include Jurassic Park, Jumanji, and Moana. READ MORE
Catch a movie as the stars twinkle and the city lights shine. Photo courtesy of Cinespia
Catch a movie as the stars twinkle and the city lights shine. Photo courtesy of Cinespia

Outdoor Movies in Los Angeles that Aren't Free (But are Pretty Great!)

Street Food Cinema 2024

Los Angeles Historic State Park, DTLA
Starts May 10, 2024
It's good Kenough:  Street Food Cinema opens its 2024 with a screening of Barbie under the stars at the Autry Museum. READ MORE

Cinespia at Los Angeles State Historic Park

Los Angeles Historic State Park, DTLA
Starts May 10, 2024
Cinespia offers an additional location for viewing classic films under the stars: Los Angeles State Historic Park. First up in May are Mamma Mia! and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. READ MORE

Cinespia at Hollywood Forever

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Hollywood Starts May 26, 2024
Hollywood Forever Cemetery offers a unique location to see outdoor movies, as Cinespia presents classic films on select days throughout the summer. The films are projected onto the walls of a mausoleum, which houses the earthly remains of departed Hollywood luminaries. READ MORE

Barbie The Movie: In Concert

Hollywood Bowl
July 27, 2024
She can do everything - including take center stage at the Hollywood Bowl! Barbie fans can join in the fun as Barbie The Movie: In Concert comes to the Hollywood Bowl. READ MORE

Rooftop Cinema Club Arts District

DTLA Screenings are ongoing; no youth-friendly screenings announced at this time
Things are getting spooky in the DTLA Arts District: this month's Rooftop screenings have a Halloween theme. READ MORE
Beat the summer heat with an indoor movie. Photo courtesy of Timo Miroshnichenko via Pexels
Beat the summer heat with an indoor movie. Photo courtesy of Timo Miroshnichenko via Pexels

Bonus: Low-Price Indoor Kids Summer Movie Series at Theaters

Harkins Summer Movie Fun

Participating locations
June 3 - July 26, 2024
Harkins Theatres presents its Summer Movie Fun program.  Moviegoers can buy a "season ticket" package, and see the whole 8- week series for $1 per film.   READ MORE

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse

Participating locations
June 10 - August 15, 2024
Cinemark's Summer Movie Clubhouse features family-friendly films for $1.75. This year's program runs for 10 weeks, with titles such as Sonic the Hedgehog 2, Migration, and Trolls Band Together. READ MORE

AMC Summer Movie Camp

Participating locations
June 24 - August 14, 2024
School is out, camp is in:  AMC Theatres Summer Movie Camp 2024 offers twice weekly screenings of animated favorites. Movie selections this year include:  Minions: The Rise Of Gru, The Secret Life Of Pets, and Migration. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Various Parks, including Wilson Park
Various locations in Inglewood, including North Park
Various Parks in San Fernando, including Las Palmas Park
Various locations in Santa Clarita, including Central Park
Various Locations in La Habra, including Portola Park
Various Parks, including Hurless Barton Park
Various Parks including: Sunset Park
Various Parks in Santa Ana, including Adams Park
Various OC Parks, such as Craig Park
Various parks in Tustin
Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Rotating locations, including the Autry Museum
Los Angeles State Historic Park
Rooftop Cinema Club Arts District
Participating Harkins Theatres including Cerritos 16
Cinemark Theatres: Participating Locations. (Different Days and Start/ End Dates for Each Theatre)
AMC Theatres - Participating Locations including Universal Cinema AMC at Citywalk