Summer Movie Guide for Families and Kids

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.

Summer Movie Express – Regal Entertainment Group
$1 admission. All shows Tuesday & Wednesday at 10 am, rated G & PG.
Dates vary by theatre.

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

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