I love to spend as much time as possible out in the fresh air and sunshine, but on those days when it’s TOO hot or rainy, it’s nice to have inexpensive or free indoor options. Many theatres offer special movie programs for families during the summer. As always, visit the site or call first to confirm details before you go!
$1 Summer Movie Series – “C” You at the Movies
Location: Antioch & McHenry
$1 admission. Tuesdays in Antioch, Wednesdays in McHenry at 10:00 am.
Summer Movie Express – Regal Entertainment
Location: Chicago, Crystal Lake, Moline, Round Lake Beach, Warrenville
$1 admission. Starts June 25 in Chicago, June 11 in other locations. Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 am for 9 weeks.
- Week 1 Tuesday – The Three Stooges
- Week 1 Wednesday – Ice Age: Continental Drift
- Week 2 Tuesday – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
- Week 2 Wednesday – Parental Guidance
- Week 3 Tuesday – Mr. Popper’s Penguins
- Week 3 Wednesday – Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked
- Week 4 Tuesday – Monte Carlo
- Week 4 Wednesday – Rio
- Week 5 Tuesday – Coraline
- Week 5 Wednesday – Paranorman
- Week 6 Tuesday – Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax
- Week 6 Wednesday – Big Miracle
- Week 7 Tuesday – Yogi Bear
- Week 7 Wednesday – Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
- Week 8 Tuesday – Racing Stripes
- Week 8 Wednesday – Happy Feet Too
- Week 9 Tuesday – African Cats
- Week 9 Wednesday – Chimpanzees
Summer Movie Series – Studio Movie Grill
Location: Wheaton
$1/child, $2/adult (available at box office only). Monday through Friday at 11am.
- June 10-14 – Clifford’s Really Big Movie
- June 17-21 – Despicable Me
- June 24-28 – How to Train Your Dragon
- July 1-5 – The Lorax
- July 8-12 – The Muppets Take Manhattan
- July 15-19 – Open Season
- July 22-26 – Sesame Street: Follow That Bird
- July 29-Aug 2 – Shrek
- Aug 5-9 – Veggie Tales: Pirates That Don’t Do Anything
- Aug 12-16 – Charlotte’s Web
Kids Dream Summer Movie Series – Marcus Theatres
Locations: Addison, Chicago Heights, Elgin, Gurnee, Orland Park
$2 admission Two free tickets available from participating American Family Insurance offices. Shows at 10:00 am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
- June 18-20 – Earth
- June 25-27 – Madagascar 3
- July 9-11 – African Cats
- July 18-20 – Escape from Planet Earth
- July 23-25 – Oceans
- July 30-Aug 1 – To be announced
- Aug 6-8 – Chimpanzee
- Aug 13-15 – 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 12 – Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted
- June 19 – Hotel Transylvania
- June 26 – Ice Age: Continental Drift
- July 3 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days
- July 10 – Rise of the Guardians
- July 17 – Hotel for Dogs
- July 24 – Muppets From Space
- July 31 – Escape From Planet Earth
- August 7 – 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 – 6/11 through 8/13
- Deer Park – 6/3 through 8/5
- Evanston – 6/18 through 8/21
- Joliet – 6/11 through 8/13
- Melrose Park – 6/11 through 8/13
- North Aurora – 6/4 through 8/6
- Woodridge – 6/11 through 8/13
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.
- June 1 – Epic
- June 29 – Monsters University
- July 13 – Despicable Me 2
- August 10 – The Smurfs 2
Special Needs Screening – Studio Movie Grill
Location: Wheaton
Special needs children and siblings free; all other tickets $6. Show at 11:00 am.
- Saturday, June 1 – Epic
Other Illinois locations:
2013 Summer Kid Series – Carmike Cinemas
Locations: Champaign and Decatur
$4 admission and includes drink, popcorn, & snack. Movies are every Wednesday and Thursday at 10:00 am.
- June 12-13 – Despicable Me
- June 19-20 – Smurfs 2
- June 26-27 – Hotel Transylvania
- July 3-4 – Ice Age: Continential Drift
- July 10-11 – Rio
- July 17-18 – Horton Hears a Who
- July 24-25 – Madagascar 3
- July 31-August 1 – Happy Feet 2
- August 7-8 – Yogi Bear
- August 14-15 – Disney’s Chimpanzees
[…] to Toddling Around Chicagoland for this round-up of Summer Movies for Families (click the link to see summer series that are in […]