Many movie theatres are offering special family movie programs with kids movies (often FREE or at a discount) throughout the summer months so if it’s rainy or you need a break from the heat, check out these summer movie programs:
$1 Summer Movie Series – “C” You at the Movies
Location: Antioch & McHenry
$1 admission. Tuesdays in Antioch, Wednesdays in McHenry
- May 29/30 – Smurfs
- June 5/6 – Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs
- June 12/13 – Zookeeper
- June 19/20 – Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland
- June 26/27 – Stuart Little 2
- July 3/4 – Planet 51
- July 10/11 – Paul Blart: Mall Cop
- July 17/18 – Daddy Day Care
- July 24/25 – Open Season
- July 31/August 1 – Muppets in Space
- August 7/8 – Monster House
- August 14/15 – Karate Kid (2010)
- August 21/22 – Muppets Take Manhattan
Summer Movie Series – Studio Movie Grill
Location: Wheaton
$1/child, $2/adult. Monday through Friday at 11am.
- Week of June 11 – Rango
- Week of June 18 – Muppets Take Manhattan
- Week of June 25 – Bee Movie
- Week of July 2 – How to Train Your Dragon
- Week of July 9 – Kung Fu Panda
- Week of July 16 – Madagascar
- Week of July 23 – Charlotte’s Web
- Week of July 30 – Megamind
- Week of August 6 – Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
- Week of August 13 – Stuart Little
Kids Dream Summer Movie Series – Marcus Theatres
Locations: Addison, Chicago Heights, Elgin, Gurnee, Orland Park
$2 admission. Shows at 10:00 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from June 19 through August 16.
- June 19-21 – Dolphin Tale
- June 26-28 – TinTin
- July 10-12 – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
- July 17-19 – Big Miracle
- July 24-26 – Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
- July 31-August 2 – The Lorax
- August 7-9 – Mirror Mirror
- August 14-16 – To be announced
Wednesday Morning Movie Series – Classic Cinemas
Locations: St. Charles, Carpentersville, Elk Grove Village, Fox Lake, Oak Park, Freeport, North Riverside, Naperville, Kankakee, Downers Grove, Woodstock, Elmhurst
$1 admission. Doors open at 9am for fun & activities, shows start at 10 am. All movies are G or PG.
- June 13 – Kung Fu Panda 2
- June 20 – Mr. Popper’s Penguins
- June 27 – Puss In Boots
- July 11 – Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
- July 18 – Arthur Christmas
- July 25 – The Smurfs
- August 1 – Disney’s Winnie the Pooh
- August 8 – a “surprise” movie
Summer Movie Clubhouse – Cinemark
$1 admission; 10 shows for $5 if purchased in advance. Shows start at 10 am. All movies are G or PG.
Dates vary by theatre.
- Bourbonnais – 6/12 through 8/14
- Deer Park – 6/4 through 8/8
- Evanston – 6/12 through 8/14
- Joliet – 5/29 through 8/14
- Melrose Park – 6/14 through 8/14
- North Aurora – 6/12 through 8/14
- Woodridge – 6/12 through 8/14
Summer Movie Express – Regal Entertainment Group
$1 admission. All shows Tuesday & Wednesday at 10 am, rated G & PG.
Dates vary by theatre.
- City North (Chicago) – June 19 through August 15
- Crystal Lake – June 12 through August 8
- Round Lake Beach – May 29 through July 25
- Warrenville – June 12 through August 8
For the very wee ones:
The Bump.com Bring Your Baby Matinees – AMC Theatres
Locations: Barrington, River East (Chicago), Skokie, Lombard
Brighter lights, lower volume, stroller parking, and crying babies allowed. Regular ticket prices apply.
Shows the first Tuesday of every month.
- Tuesday, June 5 at Noon – What To Expect When You’re Expecting (PG-13)
- Tuesday, July 3 at Noon – Rock of Ages (PG-13)
- Tuesday, August 7 at Noon – The Amazing Spider-Man
Special Needs Films:
Sensory Friendly Films – AMC Theatres
Locations: Chicago, Lake in the Hills, Naperville, Niles, Northbrook, South Barrington, Skokie, Lombard, Champaign (Indiana – Merrillville, Michigan City, Schererville)
All shows at 10:00 am. Lights are up, sound is down, and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, sing, or shout.
- May 5 – Pirates! Band of Misfits
- June 16 – Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
- June 30 – Brave
- July 21 – Ice Age: Continental Drift
- August 11 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
Special Needs Screening – Studio Movie Grill
Location: Wheaton
Special needs children and siblings free; all other tickets $5. Show at 11:00 am.
- Saturday, June 16 – Madagascar 3
Other Illinois locations:
Free Family Film Festival – Rave Cinemas
Location: Peoria
FREE. All movies at 10 am on Mondays and Thursdays and G or PG. Free Icee upgrade with purchase of kids combo with coupon
- June 4 & June 7 – Cats & Dogs
- June 11 & 14 – Legend of the Guardians
- June 18 & 21 – Yogi Bear
- June 25 & 28 – Happy Feet Two
- July 2 & 5 – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
- July 9 & 12 – Dolphin Tale
- July 16 & 19 – Shorts
- July 23 & 26 – Inkheart
- July 30 & August 2 – Happy Feet
2012 Summer Kid Series – Carmike Cinemas
Locations: Champaign and Decatur
$2 admission and includes drink & popcorn. Movies are every Thursday.
- June 7 – Puss In Boots
- June 14 – Chicken Run
- June 21 – Over the Hedge
- June 28 – Kung Fu Panda
- July 5 – Shark Tale
- July 12 – How to Train Your Dragon
- July 19 – Madagascar 2
- July 26 – Bee Movie
- August 2 – Monsters vs. Aliens
- August 9 – Megamind
[…] to Toddling Around Chicagoland for this round-up of Summer Movies for Families (click the link to see summer series that are in […]