Summer movies in the park are a classic choice to enjoy together — especially outside where they are free! And for an indoor option to beat the summer heat, movie theaters with free or bargained price summer programs are also scattered around the Twin Cities. For year-round cheap flicks: Twin Cities Cheap Flicks.
Get started planning your best summer!
Everything under the sun you need to know about family fun this summer in the Twin Cities. Beat boredom and fill your long school break days exploring the best the Twin Cities has to offer in the way of parks, swim spots, community entertainment and local festivals with our Ultimate Summer Events Guide.
2021 Twin Cities Free Summer Movies - by region of the metro area
Some events may require pre-registering as space is limited. Don’t forget your to bring your own snacks, a blanket or lawn chairs, and bug spray!
Free summer movies in minneapolis & St Paul
Minneapolis
Minneapolis Movies in the Parks 2021 screens flicks most nights of the week across its lovely parks system. The shows begin at dusk.
Riverview Theatre – Summer Kids Series. Tickets are free but seats must be reserved in advance online. Matinees on Thursdays. Check the site for current listings.
St Paul
St Paul screens free summer movies across several recreation centers, community centers and at the historic Pavilion at Como Park. The schedule is as follows:
- June 19 – Kiki
- July 23 – Tom & Jerry
- July 27 – Toy Story 4
- July 30 – UP
- Aug 3 – RoboDog
- Aug 5 – TBD
- Aug 13 – Raya & the Last Dragon
- Aug 20 – Beat Street
- Aug 27 – The Sandlot
Free summer movies in the Twin Cities north metro
Brooklyn Park
Free drive-in movie – Trolls World Tour – at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center. Part of Brooklyn Park Night Out 7pm-11pm. Learn more in the summer edition of Brooklyn Park’s Get Up & Go catalog.
Coon Rapids
Free drive-in movie at Boulevard Plaza located at 2880 Coon Rapids Blvd. May 28, 8:30 p.m. – Playing with Fire.
Maple Grove
Friday Movies at Dusk take place at Town Green this summer & fall 2021.
- July 16 – Trolls
- July 23 – Dolittle
- July 30 – Far From Home
- Aug 6 – Secret Life of Pets 2
- Aug 13 – The Croods
- Aug 20 – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
- Aug 27 – Toy Story 4
- Sept 10 – The Princess Bride
- Sept 24 – Little Women
Osseo
2021 Tuesday Night Music & Movies in Boerboom Park. Farmers Market onsite from 3-7pm (July-Sept) followed by free live music and movies screened at dusk. Select Tuesdays through August:
- June 15: The War with Grandpa
- June 22: The Croods
- June 29 – The Fantastic Pet
- July 6 – Dolittle
- July 13 – Onward
- July 20 – The Secret Garden
- July 27 – Cats & Dogs: Paws Unite
- Aug 10 – Camp Arrowhead
- Aug 24 – Wonder Woman
Plymouth
Free summer movies at the Hilde Performance Center. Movies will be screened at 8:30pm. 3 dates in August:
- Aug 12: Sing
- Aug 19: Community choice
- Aug 26: Pokemon Detective Pikachu
Robbinsdale
Free Movies at Sanborn Park. Films start at dusk and end when the movie ends.
- Aug 6 @ 8:40pm: Lilo and Stitch
- Sept 3rd @ 8:05pm: Spider-Man: into the Spider-Verse
- Oct 8th @ 7:00pm: Hocus Pocus
Roseville
Summer Roll-In Movies have come to the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL. Bring your own outdoor seating; the free movie begins at 7:30pm.
- June 11 – Onward
- July 9: The Croods
- Aug 6: Trolls World Tour
free summer movies in the twin cities east metro
Stillwater
Summer movies will be held Tuesdays in downtown Stillwater.
- June 29 – Trolls World Tour
- July 6 – The Croods
- July 13 – Open Season
- July 20 – TBA
- July 27 – The Mighty Ducks
- Aug 3 – Raya & the Last Dragon
- Aug 10 – Sonic the Hedgehog
Woodbury
The Starlight Cinema Outdoor Movie Series will be presented at Ojibway Park. This is a free event; activities start at 7pm and movie is screened at dusk. Dates in August include:
- June 10 – The Croods
- June 24 – Trolls World Tour
- July 8 – Pokemon Detective Pikachu
- July 22 – Onward
- Aug 5 – Raya & the Last Dragon
free & cheap summer movies in the twin cities south metro
Bloomington
Summer Movies on the Hill at Hyland Hills Ski Area. Bring blankets or chairs for the grassy amphitheater. Food & happy hour sales begin at 4pm, the movie at dusk.
- June 16: The Croods
- July 14: Monsters Inc.
- Aug. 4: Moana
- Sept. 10: Coco
Friday Night Live at the Normandale Lake Bandshell presents a Moonlight Movie in the Park July 16, 2021
Summer Kids Series at B&B Theatres – Mall of America. 10am matinees $3 Tuesday-Thursday each week.
- Tom And Jerry – June 29-July 1
- Croods 2 – July 6-8
- Sing – July 13-15
- How To Train Your Dragon: A Hidden World – July 20-22
- The Secret Life Of Pets – July 27-29
- Abominable – Aug 3-5
Burnsville
Friday Night Flicks on the Bricks at Civic Center Park (June) & Nicollet Commons Park (July & August).
Burnsville’s free summer movies begin seating at 7:30pm, show begins at dusk.
- June 25: Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse
- July 9 – Mighty Ducks
- July 30 – Aladdin
- Aug 13 – Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone
Cottage Grove
Hy-Vee will be screening Mighty Ducks in their parking lot on Sunday, June 6th at 9 p.m. Food, snacks and drinks to purchase on site. PLEASE NOTE: This event is not free. The price for each ticket is $15 per car.
Eagan
Bring your own seating to Eagan Central Park for free outdoor movies. Showtimes begin between 7:30-9pm.
- July 23 – A League of Their Own
- Aug 21 – The Croods
- Sept 11 – LaLa Land
Farmington
Movies in the Park at 2 locations: Lake Julia Park & North Creek Park with pre-show kids entertainment and movie at dusk.
- July 30 – The Croods New Age
- Sept 11 – Trolls World Tour
Rosemount
Bring your own seating for free movie at the Central Park amphitheater select Saturdays in 2021. Movies begin around dusk.
- June 12 – Guardians of the Galaxy
- July 17 – Trolls World Tour
- Aug 14: Dolittle
free summer movies in the twin cities west metro
Eden Prairie
Free Movies in the Park 2021 will be screened outdoors at Staring Lake Amphitheater. Pre-show entertainment begins at 7:30, movie at 9pm. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Dates in August:
- Aug 6: Trolls World Tour
- Aug 13: Captain Marvel
- Aug 20: Onward
Edina
Movies in the Park presents Sunset Thursdays at Centennial Lake Park. There’s so much to enjoy and explore at this location!
- June 17 – Playing with Fire
- June 24 – Trolls World Tour
- July 1 – The Secret Garden
- July 8 – Tom and Jerry
- July 15 – Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
- July 22 – Lion King (2019)
- July 29 – The Goonies
- Aug 5 – DisneyNature Movie: Penguins
- Aug 12 – Dolittle
Minnetonka
Free Movies in the Park will take place at the Civic Center Amphitheater in 2021. Bring your blankets and chairs. Movies start at sunset during the following dates:
- Aug 27: The Goonies
- Sept 2: The Sandlot
- Sept 10: Karate Kid
New Hope
Free movies will be screened around at the New Hope Performance Center. Pre-registration is required as there is limited space.
- June 17 – Big Hero 6
- July 15 – Monsters Inc.
- Aug 19 – Black Panther
Cheap summer movies at the drive-in
Vali-Hi Drive-In
Minnesota’s last surviving drive-in movie theater is a treat on a summer evening. Concessions are inexpensive – or BYO treats. And kids 6-12 pay just a BUCK to get in! 3 movies play nightly starting at dusk. $9.50/adults
Free & cheap summer movies in the theater
Riverview Theater | Minneapolis
Our favorite retro discount theater isn’t going to be quite as cheap this summer but it’s worth noting that all matinees are $5/pp. We’re hoping nothing has changed about their delicious popcorn with REAL butter!
Get inspired with our huge list of summer activities!
events we hope to see return in 2021 or 2022
Apple Valley
AMC Summer Movie Camp: $4 plus tax deal for ticket, popcorn & drink. Ongoing Wed,
BROOKLYN PARK
Movie on the Barn at Eidem Homestead, Brooklyn Park.
Burnsville
Paragon Theaters Free Summer Movies at Burnsville Odyssey
Tues-Thurs.
Museum Movie Night will be held on the outdoor lawn of the LeDuc Historic Estate. Bring a chair or blanket; packaged concessions will be available to purchase. The free event starts at 8pm followed by a family scavenger hunt with prizes.
MAPLEWOOD
Movie Nights at the Farm at Bruentrup Heritage Farm.
Museum Movie Night will be held on the outdoor lawn of the Sibley Historic Site. Bring a chair or blanket; packaged concessions will be available to purchase. The free event starts at 8pm followed by a family scavenger hunt with prizes.
Minneapolis
Monday Movie Nights | Target Field Station, Minneapolis
Select dates, 7pm.
Movies at the Commons | Minneapolis
Select dates through mid-August. Note that all selections may not be appropriate for young children and alcohol is allowed in the park. 7pm.
RICHFIELD
Movies in the Park at Richfield’s Veterans Park.
Catch an outdoor movie as part of the city’s Huber Park Performance & Event Series. The free movie starts at sunset.
SOUTH ST PAUL: Museum Movie Night will be held in the parking lot between the Lawshe Memorial Museum & the South St Paul Library. Bring a chair or blanket; packaged concessions will be available to purchase. The free event starts at 8pm followed by a family scavenger hunt with prizes.
Emagine Free for Kids Summer Film Series | Locations: Delano, East Bethel, Lakeville, Monticello, Rogers, Waconia & Willow Creek
($2 tickets plus get a small combo for $5).
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I have read so many articles on the topic of the blogger lovers but this article is genuinely a nice post, keep it up.
Thanks. What other articles on Twin Cities summer movies have you read? We’d love to share the links with our readers!
Hi there,I read your new stuff named “FFTC’s Guide to Free and Cheap Summer Movies – Family Fun Twin Cities” on a regular basis.Your humoristic style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing! And you can look our website about proxy free list.
Oh! It’s October. I’m sorry you missed all the summer movies – maybe next year. In the meantime, Anne has also gathered a list of cheap movie theaters for year-round family movies HERE.
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Engine does not have free movies anymore. They are $2 now :(.
Thank you for clarifying that, Amy. We added the price to that entry.
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Watching movies with your family or friends on weekends is probably the best form of entertainment one could have in this modern era. Well, the only problem is that you must be ready to burn a whole in your pocket or wallet due to the hefty prices of tickets at theatres. In addition to this, it’s not possible for everyone to take time out of this work schedule and head over to the theatre or wait for your favorite Tv show or Movie to be aired on Television
Exactly! And that is why we love the free summer movies the parks put out. Often these are the same movies that were in the theatre at Christmas. I hope you had a chance to get to some of these this summer. Also, keep an eye on our calendar, because there are often free movies at parks and malls over the winter months.