FREE (and Cheap) Summer Movies in KC

2021 Edition

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This summer, enjoy a Free (or Cheap) Movie at one of several area locations! 

Note: Parents are advised to review movies before attending. Not all movies are appropriate for all ages. Also, all events are subject to change due to weather or circumstances. Please verify with each individual event before heading out to enjoy the movie.

This list was compiled by the staff of KC Parent Magazine and may not be reproduced in print or online without permission. Please email kristina@kcparent.com if you have an addition to this list.

Host your Own Outdoor Summer Movie

Plan a movie in your own backyard! Movies2U is Kansas City’s premier provider and facilitator of outdoor and indoor cinema events. From beginning to end, they deliver a 5-star experience that creates lasting memories. Movies2U will deliver crystal clear projection and superior quality audio on industry leader Epic Outdoor Cinema’s cutting-edge inflatable screens. Visit Movies2u.com for info.

Drive-In Theaters in the Kansas City Area

What could be more fun than a Summer Movie and a box of popcorn? Watching under the stars of course! Trade in stadium seating for a bit of novelty this summer and take in a movie under the open sky.  This summer, enjoy the nearly extinct novelty of the Drive-In Theater!

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    May 21, 2021 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

    Stocksdale Park

    Bring your family and friends, along with your blankets and lawn chairs, and head out to Stocksdale Park to enjoy a FREE movie on the big screen, under the stars. The featured movie for the May Popcorn in the Park event is Trolls World Tour.

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    City of Gardner Parks and Recreation

    May 21, 2021 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Cornerstone Park

    Join the Gardner Parks and Recreation Department for our Movie in the Park series this summer. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head out to Cornerstone Park. Visit our website for more information and other movie dates. https://bit.ly/3cgW...

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    May 7, 2021

    Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

    Tivoli Under the Stars will offer family-friendly films as well as cult classics. The debut film will be the family favorite Night at the Museum, followed by films such as Star Wars: A New Hope, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and others

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    Jun 4, 2021 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

    First Baptist Church Weston

    The first Friday of every month. Come at 7:30 p.m. for food and to get a seat. Show starts at sundown. We'll have hotdogs, chips, water and popcorn. Feel free to bring candy or snacks!

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    Jun 7, 2021 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

    Miller Theater

    Summer movies for only $2.50, Mon-Thurs at 10am and 12:30pm

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    Camille Sumrall

    Jun 11, 2021 8:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Leawood City Hall

    Mark your calendar for Cinema in The City, which is a FREE outdoor movie series at Leawood City Hall! Please join us at the amphitheater behind Leawood City Hall on June 11, for The Little Rascals (PG) and on July 30, for Babe (G). Both movies st...

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    Jun 16, 2021

    Cinemark Merriam

    Summer Movie Clubhouse is back at Cinemark with 8 weeks of kid-approved movies! Enjoy safe and exciting big-screen entertainment for just $1.50* per ticket for each movie.

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    City of Gardner Parks and Recreation

    Jul 16, 2021 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Cornerstone Park

    Join the Gardner Parks and Recreation Department for our Movie in the Park series this summer. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head out to Cornerstone Park. Visit our website for more information and other movie dates. *No registration is...

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    Jun 18, 2021

    C. Lee Kenagy Park

    All movies at Kenagy Park (79th & Raytown Rd.).  Cost FREE, movies start at Dusk.   Hope to see you at the movies.

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    City of Gardner Parks and Recreation

    Jun 18, 2021 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Cornerstone Park

    Join the Gardner Parks and Recreation Department for our Movie in the Park series this summer. Grab your blankets and lawn chairs and head out to Cornerstone Park. Visit our website for more information and other movie dates. https://bit.ly/3cgWy...

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    Jun 11, 2021 8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

    Shawnee Indian Mission

    Join us for our first outdoor movie of the summer, the 80s hit GHOSTBUSTERS! Bring a blanket or lawn chairs before dusk, and the movie will start close to dusk (around 8:30pm).

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    Jun 18, 2021 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Grandview Amphitheater

    We're excited to host our first outdoor movie of the year featuring Croods 2: A New Age. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and enjoy a movie under the stars.

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    Jun 19, 2021 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

    Miller Theater

    Miller Theatres will be hosting a variety of local business vendors, carnival games, discounted movie tickets, food trucks, and more.

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    Jun 18, 2021 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

    National WWI Museum and Memorial

    Grab a favorite blanket and summer snack and prepare to go over the top with 2018’s critically acclaimed documentary, They Shall Not Grow Old.

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    Photo courtesy of Crown Center

    Jul 9, 2021 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Crown Center Square

    Cap off your work week with top local bands and favorite food trucks. Finish the evening with a famous flick under the stars. This week, festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music by The Suburbans; "The Greatest Showman" movie will start at approxima...

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    Photo courtesy of Crown Center

    Jul 30, 2021 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Crown Center Square

    Cap off your work week with top local bands and favorite food trucks. Finish the evening with a famous flick under the stars. This week, festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music by The Accidental Moguls; “The Princess Bride" movie will start at app...

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    Photo courtesy of Crown Center

    Jul 16, 2021 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Crown Center Square

    Cap off your work week with top local bands and favorite food trucks. Finish the evening with a famous flick under the stars. This week, festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music by County Road 5; the movie “Rudy" will start at approximately 9 p.m. ...

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    Photo courtesy of Crown Center

    Jul 23, 2021 6:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Crown Center Square

    Cap off your work week with top local bands and favorite food trucks. Finish the evening with a famous flick under the stars. This week, festivities begin at 6 p.m. with music by The Zeros; the movie “Spider-Man: Far from Home" will start at appr...

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    Camille Sumrall

    Jul 30, 2021 8:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Leawood City Hall

    Please join us at the amphitheater behind Leawood City Hall on July 30, for Babe (G). The movie start at dusk.

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    Jun 17, 2021 9:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

    Independence Square

    Come early to shop, grab dinner or take a walk visiting our public art or a historic plaque tour. Then grab your lawn chairs and blankets for a free, outdoor movie on the west side of the Pharaoh Cinema 4.