Families holding popcorn bags in front of an outdoor movie screen at a summer event in Chicago.

2025 Chicago Outdoor Movies to Park Your Family At

This roundup of Chicago outdoor movies will have you seeing stars - literally! Movies in the park under the night sky (or even a trip to the drive-in) is a family summer bucket list experience you'll want to repeat every year. Some venues even go the extra mile with pre-movie activities, food trucks and themed events, turning a simple summer movie night into a full-fledged family outing.

Note that some locations show a mix of movies with different ratings, some more kid-friendly than others, so be sure to check the schedule and movie descriptions to avoid surprises.

Have you attended any of these outdoor movies around Chicago and the suburbs with your kids? Please leave a review to share your experience and tips with other parents!

Our list of the best summer family movies has plenty of inspiration if you want to host an outdoor movie night in your own backyard, too.


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    chicagoparkdistrict.com

    Kosciuszko Park - Movies in the Parks

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    This diverse park in Logan Square offers a mix of playing fields, an indoor pool, and an ADA-accessible playground and spray pad.

    June 21: Moana 2

    August 20: Wicked

    Chicago, IL

    Dusk

    Oakbrook Center - Movies on the Lawn

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    Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, grab some snacks, and settle in for a summer of free movies on The Lawn! Every Wednesday night, they’ll be playing a different flick, so there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The Table at Crate will be on the lawn with snacks and refreshments to enjoy during the movie.

    June 18: Moana 2

    June 25: IF

    July 2: The Marvels

    July 9: Dog Man

    July 16: Special Double Feature Night: Inside Out from 4 pm–6 pm

                     Inside Out 2 from 7 pm–9 pm

    July 23: Wicked

    July 30: Indiana Jones & the Dial of Destiny

    August 6: Elemental

    August 13: Kung Fu Panda 4

    August 20: Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

    August 27: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

    Oak Brook, IL

    7 pm

    Glencoe Beach - Movies on the Beach

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    Grab your friends and head to Glencoe Beach for a fun-filled sing-along screening of "Mamma Mia!" Experience the magic of dancing and singing under the stars to beloved tunes brought to life with immersive 5.1 surround sound.

    Glencoe, IL

    8 pm

    Cantigny Park

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    Watching a favorite movie outside, under the stars, on a 40-foot screen is a fun and memorable family experience. They make it even better with pre-show activities such as crafts, interactive games, or guest appearances that connect with the movie you are about to see! Come a little early to enjoy everything that they have to offer. Food and drinks are available for purchase, and on some nights will include special movie-inspired concoctions. All movies feature lawn seating. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, and picnics are welcome.

    May 30: Inside Out 2

    June 6: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

    June 13: Elemental

    June 27: The Mighty Ducks

    July 11: The Wild Robot

    July 18: Descendants

    July 25: Kung Fu Panda 4

    August 1: Moana 2

    August 8: Despicable Me 4

    August 15: Wicked

    August 22: Sonic the Hedgehog 3

    August 29: Mufasa: The Lion King

    Wheaton, IL

    8:30 pm

    pdop.org

    Park District of Oak Park - Movies in the Park

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    The Park District of Oak Park invites you to pack a picnic dinner and a blanket and bring your family over to Scoville Park for an outdoor movie under the stars!

    Jun 13: Moana II

    Jul 12: Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

    Jul 25: Santa Claus the Movie (It’s Christmas in July! Santa will be stopping by in beach attire before the movie.)

    Aug 22: Community Choice

    Sep 19: Wicked

    Oak Park, IL

    Dusk

    chicagoparkdistrict.com

    Oz Park - Movies in the Parks

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    What better place to enjoy an outdoor movie than Oz Park? Little kids can tire themselves out in Dorothy’s Playlot before strolling through the "Emerald Garden" filled with statues of characters from the movie. Check out this summer's feature films!

    July 26: Mufasa: The Lion King

    August 23: The Wizard of Oz

    September 6: Wicked

    Chicago, IL

    Dusk

    Ravinia - Movie Nights

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    Ravinia is alive with The Sound of Music! Pack a picnic basket, warm up your vocal cords, and get ready to sing your heart out with Rodgers & Hammerstein’s beloved classic. The following night, you can experience the thrill of Marvel Studios in concert as Anthony Parnther leads the Chicago Philharmonic in an epic celebration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe! This film concert takes you on an epic on-screen journey spanning 23 films, bringing the most iconic moments to life with a full symphony orchestra.

    Highland Park, IL
    From Naperville Park District

    Naperville Park District - A Night at the Movies

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    Join the Naperville Park District outdoors for a fun and free Friday night kick-off to the weekend featuring a family-friendly movie at A Night at the Movies! Bring your own folding chairs or a blanket. Please be aware of the varying start times of each movie.

    July 25: Elf

    August 8: Freaky Friday

    August 15: Inside Out 2

    August 29: Sonic the Hedgehog 3

    September 12: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

    Naperville, IL
    alsipparks.org

    Alsip Park District - Movies in the Park!

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    Grab the kids and some snacks and join the Alsip Park District for three outdoor movies this summer. 

    June 27: Inside Out 2

    July 25: Moana 2

    August 29: Monsters Inc

    Alsip, IL

    Dusk

    cityofevanston.org

    City of Evanston - Starlight Movies in the Park

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    Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. Restaurants and/or food trucks will be available on select nights.

    June 27: Wicked

    June 28: Dennis the Menace & Uncle Buck

    August 2: Toy Story & Inside Out 2

    August 30: Wild Robot & Asteroid City

    Chicago, IL

    5:30 pm and/or 7:20 pm

    palosheightsrec.org/

    Palos Heights Parks and Recreation - Movies in the Park

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    Grab your blankets and lawn chairs—Movies in the Park is back! Enjoy three magical movie nights this summer:

    July 31: Under the Boardwalk

    August 15: Inside Out 2

    September 5: Wicked

    Palos Heights, IL

    Pre-movie activities begin at 7:30 pm. Movie starts at dusk.

    chicagoparkdistrict.com

    Jonquil Park - Movies in the Parks

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    The large grass field at this Lincoln Park play lot is perfect for playing ball, gathering for family picnics, and watching movies under the stars.

    June 14: Moana 2

    July 19: Patch Adams

    August 16: The Fugitive

    September 6: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets


    Chicago, IL

    Dusk

    chicagoparkdistrict.com

    Mary Bartelme Park - Movies in the Parks

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    This West Loop park uses creative architectural features to create several distinct areas in a compact space. The park includes a misting fountain, children's play area, dog park, and hilly seating areas that kids love to climb during outdoor performances.

    June 16: Raiders of the Lost Ark

    June 23: Homeward Bound

    July 14: Mean Girls

    July 29: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

    August 19: Top Gun

    Chicago, IL

    Dusk

    Millennium Park - Summer Film Series

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    This summer, DCASE is pleased to present the Millennium Park Summer Film Series. Guests may take a seat at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion or lounge on the Great Lawn as crowd-pleasing movies are presented on the state-of-the-art, 40-foot LED screen.

    Lisa R said:  This series takes place steps from favorite downtown attractions. Arrive early to grab a seat in the pavilion or plan to picnic on the Great Lawn.

    July 12: In the Heights (PG-13)

    July 19: Encanto (PG)

    July 26: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (PG)

    August 2: Dirty Dancing (PG-13)

    August 9: Knives Out (PG-13)

    August 16: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings (PG-13)

    August 23: Save the Last Dance (PG-13)

    August 30: Strictly Ballroom (PG)

    Chicago, IL

    6:30 pm

    49erdrivein.com

    49'er Drive-In Theatre

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    Family-friendly 49'er Drive-In Theatre in Northwest Indiana is open seasonally beginning around May. Admission is per person, but gives you access to both movies in each night's double feature. A wide variety of concessions are offered.

    Valparaiso, IN

Primary photo:   Aurora Downtown

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