Summer is the season for free and cheap family movies across the Triangle. Kids, parents and caregivers pack local theaters for the movie series, which typically feature G- and PG-rated movies in the mornings.
A tip before you go: Get there early. Tickets can sell out. And click on "details" to see the movie schedule. But if you have your heart set on seeing a particular movie, always call ahead to ensure the schedule hasn't changed.

Theater | Address | City | County | Zip | Phone | Website | Deal | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beaver Creek Stadium 12 | 1441 Beaver Creek Commons Dr. | Apex | Wake | 27502 | 919-362-7342 | https://www.regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx | Movies are at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 23-Sept. 6. Admission is $2. Movies play on both days. | |
White Oak Stadium 14 | 1205 Timber Dr. East | Garner | Wake | 27529 | 919-779-7499 | https://www.regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx | Movies are at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 23-Sept. 6. Admission is $2. Movies play on both days. | |
Regal Crossroads Stadium 20 & IMAX | 501 Caitboo Ave. | Cary | Wake | 27518 | 844-462-7342, ext. 4022 | https://www.regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx | Movies are at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 23-Sept. 6. Admission is $2. Movies play on both days. | |
North Hills Stadium 14 | 4150 Main at North Hills St. | Raleigh | Wake | 27609 | 919-786-4494 | https://www.regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx | Movies are at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 23-Sept. 6. Admission is $2. Movies play on both days. | |
Regal Brier Creek Stadium 14 | 8611 Brier Creek Parkway | Raleigh | Wake | 27617 | 844-462-7342 | https://www.regmovies.com/static/en/us/smx | Movies are at 10 a.m., Tuesdays and Wednesdays, May 23-Sept. 6. Admission is $2. Movies play on both days. | |
Howell Theatre | 141 S. 3rd St. | Smithfield | Johnston | 27577 | 919-934-8202 | https://www.howellmovies.com/kids-summer-movies | The theater will be showing a movie for $1 at 10 a.m., Tuesday through Thursday, June 13-Aug.17. There is a $2 drink and popcorn special. | |
Millstone 14 | 3400 Footbridge Lane | Fayetteville | Cumberland | 28306 | 910-354-2124 | https://www.stonetheatres.com/summerkidshows | Wednesday and Thursdays, May 29 through Aug. 3, $2 per ticket and $1.50 for a drink and $1.50 for popcorn | |
Park West 14 Cinemas | 3400 Village Market Place | Morrisville | Wake | 27560 | 919-653-0125 | https://www.bbtheatres.com/park-west-14/events/kids-summer-series/ | Shows start at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Sensory friendly shows are 10:15 a.m., June 6-July 27 Tickets are $5. | |
N.C. Museum of Art Summer Movie Series | 2110 Blue Ridge Rd. | Raleigh | Wake | 27607 | 919-839-NCMA | https://ncartmuseum.org/series/outdoor-films/ | Gates open 90 minutes before screenings. Many arrive early to enjoy a picnic. Admission is $10; free for museum members. Note that not all movies are family friendly.June 17-Aug. 26 | |
Halle Cultural Arts Center | 237 N. Salem St. | Apex | Wake | 27502 | 919-249-1120 | http://thehalle.org/460/Halle-Indoor-Movies | Free movies are offered Wednesday mornings and nights. Call 919-249-1120 for the movie title and showtime. | |
Movies in the Park, Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre | 2600 Evans Road | Apex | Wake | 27502 | 919-249-3402 | http://thehalle.org/1037/Apex-Outdoor-Music-Movies-Series | Movies begin at dusk. | |
Durham Movies in the Park | 502 Foster St. | Durham | Durham | 27701 | 919-560-4355 | https://www.dprplaymore.org/318/Rock-the-Park-Concert-Movie-Series | Free outdoor movies. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets. Food vendors will be available. Movies are from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. They take place at Durham Central Park. | |
Wakefield 12 | 10600 Common Oaks Dr. | Raleigh | Wake | 27614 | 919-453-2746 | https://www.marqueecinemas.com/page/12604/Kids-Summer-Movies | Choose from two movies at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday. Admission is free. | |
Smithfield Cinemas | 175 South Equity Dr. | Smithfield | Johnston | 27577 | 919-934-2198 | https://www.smithfieldcinemas.net/summer-kid-show | Movies are at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Cost is $2.50 per person, including ticket, popcorn and drink. Runs June 13 to Aug.17. | |
Raleigh Little Theatre | 301 Pogue St. | Raleigh | Wake | 27607 | 919-821-4579 | https://raleighlittletheatre.org/shows-and-events/ | Free movies are scheduled each month this summer and fall in the theater's outdoor amphiteater. | |
Movies under the Stars in Chapel Hill | 150 E. Rosemary St. | Chapel Hill | Orange | 27514 | 919-968-2828 | https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/movies-under-the-stars/ | Check the website for updates about this series, which features free outdoor movies. | |
The Cary | 122 E. Chatham St. | Cary | Wake | 27511 | 919-462-2051 | http://thecarytheater.com/ | Check the website for details. Tickets are generally around $5, depending on the film. | |
Movies in the Grove | Movies held inside the Barefoot Auditorium from January to March and in the Singing Grove beginning in April. | Benson | Johnston | 27504 | 919-894-5117 | http://www.townofbenson.com/2197/Events | Movie nights are the first and third Friday of each month during the summer. | |
Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park | 701 Harris Rd. | Wake Forest | Wake | 27587 | https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events/family-movie-nights-joyner-park | Free movies with pre-show activities that begin at 7:15 p.m. Movies start around dusk. Get there early to get the best seat. | ||
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema | 2116-D New Bern Ave. | Raleigh | Wake | 27610 | 984-444-6620 | https://drafthouse.com/raleigh/movies/alamo-kids-camp | All Kids Camp tickets are $5 for everyone – little kids, big kids, and grownup kids. Check the website for showtimes. | |
Paragon Theaters at Fenton | 21 Fenton Main Street | Cary | Wake | 27511 | 919-473-9676 | https://www.paragontheaters.com/summermovies | Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday June 13-Aug. 3, $2 tickets | |
Paragon Theaters | 1140 Parkside Main Street | Cary | Wake | 27519 | 919-234-5200 | https://www.paragontheaters.com/summermovies | Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday June 13-Aug. 3, $2 tickets | |
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