Your guide to free (or really cheap!) movie showings in Pittsburgh all summer long

Enjoy the view along with the movie. Photo above courtesy of the City of Pittsburgh Office of Special Events.

Summer is the season when kids love to run, splash and burn off energy. Once they’re ready for quiet time, movies are the perfect alternative. A number of summer movie series in Pittsburgh offer free and discounted admission all summer long. Escape hot summer days in an air-conditioned theater or unwind on balmy nights with movie viewing under the stars.

There are lots of opportunities to do both this summer without paying for pricey tickets. Some theaters offer admission as low as $1.50 for top-quality feature films your kids will love.

Many of these family-friendly movies are from the past year. Some are recent releases, including “The Little Mermaid,” “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Elemental.” There are a few older favorites in the  mix, too, like “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” “School of Rock” and  “Back to the Future.” Classics include “Sunset Boulevard” and “Cool Hand Luke.”

Free movies run all summer long as part of Allegheny County Summer Movies in the Parks program and Citiparks’ Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park. Both series changed their lineups to screen films in more widespread neighborhoods and parks this year. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets for a relaxing evening — and don’t forget the popcorn!

Here’s where and when to find all the free summer movies in Pittsburgh and other very inexpensive screenings:1. ALLEGHENY COUNTY MOVIES IN THE PARKS

Allegheny County Movies in the Park has a terrific lineup of family favorites that will be shown at nine county parks from June 22 to Aug. 17. Screenings begin at dusk.

• June 22: “Encanto” (PG), 100 Acre House, South Park
• June 28: “Encanto” (PG),” Mansion Lawn, Hartwood Acres
• July 6: “Puss in Boots” (PG), Four Seasons Activity Center, Boyce Park
• July 13: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG), Visitors Center, Round Hill Park
• July 20: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (PG), Moccasin Shelter, Settlers Cabin Park
• July 27: “Turning Red” (PG), Redwood Shelter, White Oak Park
• Aug. 3: “Strange World” (PG), Carp Field, Deer Lakes Park
• Aug. 10: “The Bad Guys” (PG), Yakaon Shelter, Harrison Hills Park
• Aug. 17: “Space Jam: A New Legacy” (PG), Boathouse Lawn, North Park

  

2. DOLLAR BANK CINEMA IN THE PARK

Citiparks’ free movie series starts with a month-long pop-up movie schedule at various neighborhood parks. Keep posted on all the details by following the Office of Special Events on  Twitter and Facebook or its website.

In July and August, screenings will return to your favorite weekly movie locations, along with the debut of two new movie locations this year: Banksville Park and Ormsby Park.

Riverview Park: Movies at this venue will follow the Stars at Riverview concert series, which runs from 7-8:30 p.m. every Saturday.

• June 10: “Jurassic World: Dominion” (PG-13)
• June 17: “Elvis” (PG-13)
• June 24: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (PG-13)
• July 1: “Jaws” (PG)
• July 8: “Fall” (PG-13)
• July 15: “Top Gun (1986) (PG-13)
• July 22: “School of Rock” (PG-13)
• July 29: “Batman” (1989) (PG-13)
• Aug. 5: “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (PG-13)
• Aug. 12: “The Batman” (PG-13)
• Aug. 19: “Back to the Future” (PG)
• Aug. 26: “Cave Rescue” (PG-13)

Schenley Plaza: Presented in partnership with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

• July 2: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)
• July 9: “Top Gun: Maverick” (PG-13)
• July 16: “Matilda” (PG)
• July 23: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG)
• July 30: “Shrek” (PG)
• Aug. 6: “Turning Red” (PG)
• Aug. 13: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (PG)
• Aug. 20: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (PG)
• Aug. 27: “Sunset Boulevard” (not rated)

West End Overlook

• July 3: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)
• July 31: “Shrek” (PG)

Banksville Park: Presented in partnership with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy.

• July 10: “Top Gun: Maverick” (PG-13)
• Aug. 7: “Turning Red” (PG)

McBride Park

• July 17: “Matilda” (PG)
• Aug. 14: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (PG)

Highland Park: Presented in partnership with Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

• July 24: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG)
• Aug. 21: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (PG)

Ormsby Park

• July 11: “Top Gun: Maverick” (PG-13)
• July 25: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG)
• Aug. 8: “Turning Red” (PG)
• Aug. 22: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (PG)

Schenley Park

• July 12: “Top Gun” (1986) (PG-13)
• July 19: “School of Rock” (PG-13)
• July 26: “Batman” (1989) (PG-13)
• Aug. 2: “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” (PG-13)
• Aug. 9: “The Batman” (PG-13)
• Aug. 16: “Back to the Future” (PG)
• Aug 23: “Cave Rescue” (PG-13)
• Aug. 30: “Cool Hand Luke” (PG)

Brookline Memorial Park

• July 6: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)
• July 20: “Matilda” (PG)
• Aug. 3: “Shrek” (PG)
• Aug. 17: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (PG)

Arsenal Park

• July 14: “Top Gun: Maverick” (PG-13)
• July 28: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG)
• Aug. 11: “Turning Red” (PG)
• Aug. 25: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (PG)

Grandview Park

• July 1: “The Incredibles” (PG)
• July 8: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)
• July 15: “Top Gun: Maverick” (PG-13)
• July 22: “Matilda” (PG)
• July 29: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG)
• Aug. 5: “Shrek” (PG)
• Aug. 12: “Turning Red” (PG)
• Aug. 19: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (PG)
• Aug. 26: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” (PG)

3. HAZELWOOD MOVIE NIGHT ON THE LAWN

Rowhouse Cinema is again teaming with Hazelwood Local to bring Movie Nights on the Lawn at Hazelwood Green Plaza, corner of Eliza and Lytle Streets. Registration is free and a limited supply of complimentary Row House popcorn will be offered. The events open at 6:30 p.m. with food and craft vendors on site, plus food trucks, theater concessions and Cinderlands beer. Movies are slated to start at 7:30 p.m. For added fun, special themed performances and activities will be scheduled for each movie.

• June 9: “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (PG-13)
• July 14: “Coco” (PG)
• Aug. 18: “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” (PG)

4. CINEMARK SUMMER MOVIE CLUBHOUSE

Cinemark theaters offer a program of PG-rated films priced at $1.50 per ticket as part of its Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse. Kids get $1 off deals on snack packs and any size popcorn and drink combos. Summer Movie Clubhouse operates at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Local participating theaters include Cinemark Monroeville Mall and Cinemark Center Township Marketplace in Monaca. Select theaters will offer additional showtimes throughout the week. Check the website for details.

• June 21: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (PG)
• June 28: “Sonic the Hedgehog” (PG)
• July 5: “Mummies” (PG)
• July 12: “The Bad Guys” (PG)
• July 19: “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” (PG)
• July 26: “DC League of Super-Pets” (PG)
• Aug. 2: “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” (PG)
• Aug. 9: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)

5. AMC CLASSIC THEATRES SUMMER MOVIE CAMP

AMC Classic Theatres kick off summer with Summer Movie Camp. For $3, plus tax, on Wednesdays and $5, plus tax, on Saturdays, guests can purchase a ticket to the family-favorite film of the week. Participating area locations include AMC Classic Mount Lebanon 6, AMC Classic South Hills Village 10, AMC Waterfront 22, AMC Classic South Pike 10 in Sarver and AMC Classic Westmoreland 15.

• June 10 and 14: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (PG)
• June 17 and 21: “Paw Patrol” (XX
• June 24 and 28: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)
• July 1 and 5: “Kung Fu Panda” (PG)
• June 8 and 12: “Trolls World Tour” (PG)
• July 15 and 19: “Mummies” (PG)
• July 22 and 26: “The Secret Lives of Pets” (PG)
• July 29 and Aug. 2: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” (PG)
• Aug. 5 and 9: “Shrek 2” (PG)
• Aug. 12 and 16: “Sing 2” (PG)
• Aug. 19 and 23: “The Croods: A New Age” (PG)
• Aug. 26 and 30: “Sonic the Hedgehog 2” (PG)

  

6. MOVIESCOOP CINEMAS WOW! MOVIE SERIES

Pittsburgh-based theater chain MovieScoop Cinemas offers the WOW! Wednesday Mornings for Kids movie series at Cranberry and Waterworks Cinemas. Priced at $4, the movies will run at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays. The WOW Snack Combo can be purchased for another $4. Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

• June 14: “Super Mario Bros. The Movie” (PG)
• June 21: “The Little Mermaid” (PG)
• June 28: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (PG)
• July 5: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” (PG)
• July 12: “Elemental” (PG)
• July 19: “Ruby Gillman: Teenage Kraken” PG)
• July 26: “Trolls: World Tour” (PG)
• Aug. 2: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” (PG)