2025 Chicago Outdoor Movies to Park Your Family At

This 20-acre park full of imaginative play structures, a climbing wall, mini golf, a skating ribbon, tennis courts, gardens, and more is a must-see destination for all Chicago families. Their outdoor showings of movies on the big screen lets families extend the fun until after the sun goes down.

June 28: Moana 2

Dusk

This sweet little park in a friendly neighborhood setting is a great place to go for an outdoor movie with your family this summer!

June 24: Twisters

July 15: How to be a Good Wife (In French, with English Subtitles)

July 31: Wicked

August 12: Moana 2

Dusk

The Geneva Park District is presenting its Movies in the Park series. Please bring blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions will be available for purchase.

June 12: Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (PG)

July 10: Wonka (PG)

August 7: Little Giants (PG)

Dusk

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

Dusk

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

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

This beautifully landscaped park includes looping paths, a duck pond, a massive wooden climbing structure, and one of Chicago's first nature play areas. Check out a movie in the park here this summer!

June 20: Jumanji

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

Dusk

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

8:30 pm

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

Dusk

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

7 pm

Movies on the Midway is a free outdoor summer movie series presented by the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Each week features family-friendly pre-movie activities starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by a film at sunset on the Midway Plaisance.

July 9: Despicable Me 4

July 16: Moana 2

July 23: Inside Out 2

July 30: Minecraft

August 6: Wicked

uchiengagement said:  Kick off UChicago's 2025 Movies on the Midway series with Despicable Me 4! Before the film, the Hyde Park Art Center will lead a hands-on gadget-making activity—perfect for mini masterminds. Movies on the Midway is a free outdoor summer movie series presented by the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement in partnership with the Chicago Park District. Each week features family-friendly pre-movie activities starting at 7:00 p.m., followed by a film at sunset on the Midway Plaisance. Weather updates will be shared on our social channels: @UChiEngagement Full lineup and details: http://bit.ly/3ZEvznM

Activities at 7pm, Movie at sunset

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

5:30 pm and/or 7:20 pm

Water Flicks at Navy Pier features a line-up of movies focused on families this summer!

July 11: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG)

July 18: Encanto (PG)

July 25: Minari (PG-13)

August 8: Rent (PG-13)

August 15: Clifford The Big Red Dog (PG)

August 22: Meet the Parents (PG-13)

August 29: Are We There Yet? (PG)

Lisa R said:  Water Flicks at Navy Pier features a line-up of movies focused on families this summer!

July 11: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (PG)

July 18: Encanto (PG)

July 25: Minari (PG-13)

August 8: Rent (PG-13)

August 15: Clifford The Big Red Dog (PG)

August 22: Meet the Parents (PG-13)

August 29: Are We There Yet? (PG)

6:30pm-9pm

This summer, families can catch four fantastic movies set against photo-worthy views of the Chicago skyline at Ward Park.

June 24: Twisters

July 15: How to be a Good Wife

July 31: Wicked

August 12: Moana 2

Dusk

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

This 3-acre park with a playground and spray pad is a favorite with West Rogers Park families. The movies in the park series is the perfect time to check it out.

August 6: The Wild Robot

8 pm

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.

8 pm

Located in the heart of Lincoln Park, Lincoln Park Cultural Center offers outdoor movies this summer!

August 1: The Princess Bride

8 pm

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

Dusk

This Logan Square park is just off the 606, making it the perfect endpoint for a family-friendly bike ride. The 606 is a protected elevated bike and pedestrian trail that connects Wicker Park with Logan Square. The trail is an easy ride for kids and dotted with art installations, landscaping, and educational signs about the trail's history.

June 21: Inside Out 2

July 12: The Sandlot

August 18: Wicked

Enjoy a movie in the park with the Lemont Park District this summer! Concessions will be sold.

June 24: Inside Out 2

August 5: Sonic 3

Free activities start at 7 pm. Movie begins at dusk.

The DuSable Museum of African American History is hosting an outdoor movie at Washington Park this summer,

August 2: Mahagony

Dusk

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

Dusk

Enjoy a Friday night movie in the park hosted by the Oak Lawn Park District.

June 27: Despicable Me 4 & Moana 2

Dusk

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.

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)

6:30 pm

The best family-friendly box office hits from the big screen are coming to St. Charles. Bring blankets to sit on as the amphitheatre is on a grassy slope and may not be suitable for lawn chairs. Concessions available for purchase.

June 13: Dog Man

July 11: Wild Robot

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This 40-acre park features a large open area where they can also host outdoor movies.

June 14: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Dusk

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

Dusk

Pack up the kids, blankets, and lawn chairs for an evening of free family fun. The movie begins at sunset.

June 18: Despicable Me 4

July 30: Sonic 3

Dusk

Enjoy an outdoor movie at Pioneer Park! In case of inclement weather, the movie will move indoors to Pioneer Community Center.

July 22: The Wild Robot

8:30 pm

Grab a picnic blanket and join the Elmhurst Park District at Wilder Park for a movie under the stars.

June 13: Wreck-It Ralph

July 11: Moana 2

August 8: Wicked

Dusk