Free and Cheap Summer Movies in Twin Cities Parks & Theaters

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Children watching movie at Nicollet Commons Park in Burnsville Minnesota: "Free Summer Movies"

Summer movies in the park are a classic choice to enjoy together — especially outside where they are free and you can even pack large popcorns and large drinks for pennies! 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 movies: Twin Cities Cheap Flicks.

Thanks to our Summer Fun Guide Partner

2025 Twin Cities free summer movies - by region of the Minneapolis-St Paul Metro Area

Popular screenings in 2025 include Moana 2, Inside Out 2, and The Little Mermaid (2023); but look for your favorite classic film, too. Don’t forget to bring your own kids’ snack packs (some parks sell concessions, but not all), a blanket or lawn chairs, and bug spray!

Outdoor movies make a late night. Keep in mind that movies start at dusk and can include a good half-hour of ads before the main movie starts. Dusk in June and July is around 9pm. If your children are small, you may want to bring sleeping bags and pillows and pick a grown up movie to enjoy while they sleep.

Free summer movies in Minneapolis & St Paul

Minneapolis | Movies In the Park

Minneapolis Parks & Rec Board screens flicks almost every night of the week across its lovely parks system. Note that not all of Minneapolis movies are kid-friendly movies, but you’ll find plenty that are perfect for the whole family. The shows begin at dusk. Hit the link to see the titles.

Minneapolis | Movie Nights at Target Field Station

335 N 5th St, Minneapolis, MN
Bring your own seating and find a spot on the green grass outside the Twins’ ballpark. Select Thursdays in 2025. 

Minneapolis | Meet at Mia: Movie in the Park

Minneapolis, Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Avenue south, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Weather permitting, Mia will screen two movies during its summer/fall outdoor events. Select Thursdays in 2025. 

Boy at Lake Harriet Park Movie Night, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Family Fun at Lake Harriet Park

St Paul | Movies in the Park

St Paul screens free summer movies across several recreation centers, community centers and at the Midway Pavilion at Como Park. Movies start at dusk. Arrive early for pre-show activities, the sweet dairy food truck and family fun. 

Free summer movies in the Twin Cities Northwest Metro

Brooklyn Center | Movies In the Park

Brooklyn Center Movies in the Park travel around to various local parks and are scheduled to start at dusk. Please check the link for the full summer lineup.

Brooklyn Park | Movie Night at the Ballpark

Noble Sports Park 4701 Oak Grove Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, 55443
Warm up with a spring Movie Night at the Ballpark – The Rookie (PG) screened outdoors after a series of free baseball games the public is welcome to attend. May 3, 2025, gates open at 8pm for the movie, screening at 8:30pm.

Champlin | Father Hennepin Festival Outdoor Movie

Mississippi Crossings, 307 E River Pkwy, Champlin, MN 55316
Bring your own blankets and snacks to the outdoor performance area for a free movie in the park, part of the city’s Father Hennepin Festival. Despicable Me 4 will be screened. June 13, 2025, 9pm.

Columbia Heights | Movies In the Park

Huset Park West, 3965 Jefferson St NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
McKenna Park, 4757 7th St NE, Columbia Heights, MN 55421
The August Columbia Heights Movies in the Park are screened in Huset Park – if the heat is still turned up outdoors, bring swimsuits for the splash pad! The September flick have Spanish subtitles. Please see the link to verify the movie start times.

Maple Grove | Friday Movies at Dusk

Town Green Park, 7991 Main Street N, Maple Grove, MN
Free outdoor movie screenings take place at Town Green as part of Maple Grove’s Sounds of Summer series. Select Fridays, July 18-August 29, 2025 at dusk.

Children playing music on the music playground at Town Green Park, Maple Grove, Minnesota

New Hope | Movies In the Park

New Hope Performance Center, 4401 Xylon Avenue North, New Hope, MN 55428
Free movies in the park will be shown on the big screen outside of the Performance Center. Come a little early to take part in pre-show activities. Movie start time is around dusk. Select Thursdays in 2025.

Osseo | Music & Movies In the Park

Boerboom Park, 416 Central Ave, Osseo, MN 55369
Tuesday Night Music & Movies in Boerboom Park – Live music and movies screened at dusk on most Tuesdays June through August. These events are weather dependent. Find the free concert lineup here.

Robbinsdale | Movies In the Park

Hollingsworth Park, 4237 Shoreline Drive, Robbinsdale MN
One free outdoor movie a month screened this summer in the park. Start times vary so you’ll want to click the link to get the full lineup with start times. 

Spring Lake Park | Movies In the Park

Sanburnol Park, 520 Sanburnol Dr NE, Spring Lake Park, MN 55432
The Lions Club again hosts a summer series of free movies in the park. Screenings start around 8:45pm. Bring your seating, snacks and spray! All shows are presented on Wednesday nights – see link for details.

Free summer movies in the Twin Cities Northeast Metro

North St Paul | Summer Movies In the Park

Hause Park, 2616 4th Ave E, North St Paul, MN 55109
The city’s two free summer movies take place during the month of August. Both run 8-9:30pm.

Oakdale | Movies In the Park

Walton Park, 1584 Hadley Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128
Free outdoor movies start at dusk, about 20 minutes after sunset. Please see the link for the two titles screening this summer.

Roseville | Roll In Movies

Roseville Oval, 2661 Civic Center Dr, Roseville, MN 55113
Roseville Roll In Movies are family-friendly Friday night movies screened on the outdoor OVAL scoreboard. One movie per month, June-August, 2025. Showtime 7:30pm.

Stillwater | Summer Tuesdays

101 Water Street S., Stillwater, MN 55082
Stillwater Summer Tuesdays feature free movies in downtown Lowell Park. The Farmers Market opens at 5pm with lots of fun things to do and live music from 6-8pm. Movies begin 10 minutes after sunset. Find our full movie listings at the link.

White Bear Township | Movies In the Park

Polar Lakes Park, 1280 Hammond Road, White Bear Township, MN 55110
Movies in the Park are screened the second Saturday of each month, June-September 2025. Bring your own seating, snacks and spray. There’s a pretty fun playground nearby, too.

Free summer movies in the Twin Cities Southeast Metro

Burnsville | Flicks On the Bricks

Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Avenue, Burnsville, MN 55337
Friday Night Flicks on the Bricks is Burnsville’s free summer kids movie series. Seating begins at 7:30pm, show begins at dusk. One movie per month June-August 2025.

Cottage Grove | Movies with Mo

Highlands Park, 6975 Idsen Avenue S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016
Movies with Mo is Cottage Grove’s free summer films in the parks event. Pre-show entertainment begins at 6:30, the film around 7pm. Bring your own seating. 

Eagan

Viking Lakes, 2685 Vikings Circle, Suite 200, Eagan, MN
Movie Night at Viking Lakes screens free, family-friendly films in the stadium. Bring your own blanket or comfortable seating but please leave food and beverages at home. Those will be available for purchase. Series begins May 28, 2025 with doors opening at 5pm and movie to follow at 6pm.

Hastings | Movies In the Park

Levee Park, 20 Ramsey Street, Hastings MN 55033
Hastings Summer Movies in the Park are shown on a 16-foot screen down by the riverfront on select Fridays June through September. Amphitheater seating is available or bring your own chairs and blanket for the grassy lawn. Pack a picnic dinner and arrive an hour prior to showtime for free activities. Movies start at dusk.

Inver Grove Heights

Oakwood Park, 3534 78th St. E. – 78th and Clayton, Inver Grove Heights MN
One night only, catch a free movie in Oakwood Park. Come at 7pm for a pre-show concert by Tricia & the Toonies. July 25, 2025, 7-10pm. FREE.

Rosemount

Central Park Amphitheater, 2893 145th St W, Rosemount, MN 55068
Bring your own seating for a free movie at the Central Park amphitheater. Movies begin around dusk. Find more information in the annual recreation brochure.

West St. Paul

Sports Complex, 1650 Oakdale Avenue, West St. Paul, MN 55118
West St Paul’s Movie in the Park will follow COPS in the Park and begin around 8:45. 2025 Date and Movie Listing TBA

Woodbury | Starlight Cinema

2695 Ojibway Dr, Woodbury, MN 55125
Woodbury’s Starlight Cinema Outdoor Movie Nights will be presented at Ojibway Park. This is a free event featuring kids movies; activities start at 7pm and movie is screened at dusk. One movie each month this summer, see link for the 2025 lineup.

Free & cheap summer movies in the Twin Cities Southwest Metro

Bloomington | Movies On the Hill

8800 Chalet Road, Bloomington, MN 55438
Bloomington Summer Movies on the Hill presents free outdoor flicks for families screened at Hyland Hills Ski Area’s grassy amphitheater. Bring blankets or chairs. Food & happy hour sales begin at 5pm, the movie at 8pm. June 25 & July 16, 2025.

Chanhassen | Movie In the Park

City Center Park, 7700 Market Boulevard, Chanhassen, MN 55317
It’s free movie night in Chanhassen. The Parent Trap (1998) is screened in the park – with free popcorn and candy snacks! July 1, 2025, 9pm.

Eden Prairie | Movies In the Park

Staring Lake Park, 14800 Pioneer Trail, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
Eden Prairie Free Movies in the Park screened outdoors at Staring Lake Amphitheater. Pre-show entertainment begins at 7:30, movie at 9pm. Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. All movies this summer are in August – see link for the lineup.

Minnetonka | Movies In the Park

Civic Center Amphitheater, 14600 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345 
Minnetonka presents Bring your blankets and chairs for free movies in Civic Center Park. Movies start approximately 15 minutes after sunset – as these movies are at the very end of summer, start times will be between 7:30-8pm. See link for details.

Shakopee | Movie In the Park

Huber Park, Fillmore St N, Shakopee, MN 55379
Catch an outdoor movie on August 16 as part of the city’s Huber Park Performance & Event Series. The free movie will start around dusk, title to be announced. August 16, 2025.

St Louis Park

St Louis Park traditionally offers outdoor family movies in the late summer through mid-fall (which helps cut down on the bugs!) Flicks rotate through the local parks. 

When you need a little AC! Free & cheap summer movies in the theater - Twin Cities

BEST DEAL IN TOWN Riverview Theater

3800 42nd avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Not only the cheapest, but the coolest theater for summer flicks, our favorite retro local theater offers Summer Kids Matinees annually. Again this summer – just $1.00 general admission seats. Please check their website before heading out as movie times are subject to change.

Twin Cities Cheap Flicks - Summer Movie Deals for Families

Find More: Cheap Family-Friendly Flicks at Local Movie Theaters

Mann Summer Film Series

Champlin 14, 11500 theatre Drive, Champlin MN 55316
Edina 4, 3911 W 50th Street, Edina, MN 55424
Plymouth Grand 15, 3400 Vicksburg Lane, Plymouth, MN 55447

$2.50 matinees on Monday and Wednesday at 10am.

Emagine Free Kids Summer Film Series

Emagine Summer Kids Series- Week of June 20 - Week of August 15 $3 Tickets for all ages. $5 Magic pack4423 US-12, Delano, MN 55328
2055 Cliff Road, Eagan, MN 55122
18635 Ulysses St NE, East Bethel, MN 55011
20653 Keokuk Ave., Lakeville, MN 55044
9375 Deegan Avenue, Monticello, MN 5536
13692 Rogers Drive, Rogers, MN 553742
101 W 1st Street, Waconia, MN 55387
1180 County Rd J, White Bear Lake, MN 55127
9900 Shelard Parkway, Minneapolis, MN 55441

Cheap $3 kids movies throughout the summer running from June through August. Availability is limited so get there early. The theaters will also be offering $5 Magic Pack snack combos. 

Marcus Theatres Summer Kids Dream – Family Film Series

Participating Marcus Theatres locations include: Oakdale Cinema, Rosemount, Hastings Cinema, Shakopee Cinema & Shakopee Town Square
Low-cost kids movies all summer long at participating Marcus Theatres. Purchase a $12 passport to see all eight films or get a $3 individual ticket. Grab popcorn, drink and hot dog specials for just $3-3.50 each plus tax. Please see the link for the full lineup and a path to book your tickets.

Alamo Draft House

9060 Hudson Road, Woodbury, MN 55125
Back after a few years hiatus, Alamo Drafthouse again offers a kids moview series, Kids Camp, with a weekly line-up of family-friendly films. Tickets are $7/pp plus they offer a full menu – you can order a family pizza for $15.95-$16.95. They also have appetizers, sandwiches, a kids menu and bottomless popcorn & drink options.

Science Museum of Minnesota Omnitheater

120 W. Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55102
A free movie under the IMAX dome every time you visit makes getting a Science Museum of Minnesota membership totally worth it.  Plus you get the whole museum, too.

Family road trips and vacations

While, we wouldn’t expect anyone to drive distances for movies we can see in the Twin Cities, if you happen to be visiting family, camping or just visiting these fun nearby destinations on the right days, catch a free or cheap summer movie at these locations:

Cinemark Movie Clubhouse | Mankato

Cinemark River Hills Movies 8, 1850 Adams Street, 15 River Hills Mall, Mankato, MN 56001
Got a reason to be in Mankato this summer on a Wednesday?  During 8 weeks of summer from June through August, the Summer Movie Clubhouse will offer kids movies for $1.75 per ticket plus tax. Plus get $1 off deals on kids snack packs or small popcorn and drink combos. Summer Movie Clubhouse showtimes

Bonus Family Fun in Mankato: 10 Things To Do In Mankato, Minnesota with Kids

Free Summer Movies Series 2024 | New Ulm

The Lyrics 3 Cinema, 1 N German St, New Ulm, MN 56073
If you are visiting New Ulm on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during the summer?  Watch free 10am matinees. All ages are free and doors open at 9am with special kiddie meals available. D

Bonus Family Fun in New Ulm: 10 Things To Do in New Ulm, Minnesota

Regal Summer Movie Express

Regal Theaters are in 47 States – but not Minnesota or Wisconsin
Regal Cinemas are all over the country, but there are none near us. Summer Express tickets are $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you are traveling and need an air-conditioned break, we’ll post the 2024 lineup when it has been announced.

Bonus Family Travel Fun: Disney Vacation Discounts: Theme Park Tickets for Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts

Get inspired with our huge list of summer activities!

 

11 thoughts on “Free and Cheap Summer Movies in Twin Cities Parks & Theaters”

  1. free movies

    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

    Reply
    1. Joy Peters

      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.

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      Thanks. What other articles on Twin Cities summer movies have you read? We’d love to share the links with our readers!

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