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Free Outdoor Summer Movies Around Seattle

Summer 2023 free outdoor movie guide for Seattle, the Eastside and South Sound

Published on: July 03, 2023

People relax in the grass at a park watching a free outdoor summer movie for kids and families
Photo:
Edmonds Outdoor Movie Night

Bedtime is practically a lost cause in summer anyway, right? Why not take your family and your blankets or low-back chairs and enjoy an outdoor movie on a warm summer evening? And best of all, nearly all of these movies are free.

A note on movie times: Most movie times are listed as "at dusk" when it starts to get dark. Dusk is typically about 20–30 minutes after sunset. For example, sunset in Seattle on Saturday, July 24, is at 8:54 p.m. (thanks, Google); expect an outdoor movie this weekend to begin around 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. Start times of movies get earlier later in the summer.

Seattle-area outdoor movies

Center City Cinema, downtown Seattle

Movies show in downtown-area parks, including Cascade Playground, Hing Hay Park and Freeway Park, on select Friday and Saturday nights through Sept. 8. Pre-movie activities start around 6 or 7 p.m. and the movies begin at dusk. 

Details: Various downtown-area Seattle parks. Select Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 8. Free.

Summer Movie Nights at Yesler Terrace Park

Turn up at the park for kids’ activities, food truck fare, free family movies — and that beautiful view. 

Details: Thursday, July 27, and Thursday, Aug. 3; festivities begin at 6 p.m. with movie beginning at dusk.

West Seattle Outdoor Movies

A free showing of "Super Mario Bros." will screen at awesome Camp Long on Friday, Aug. 18 at sundown. Come early to get a good seat!

Details: Camp Long, Aug. 18. Free.

Movies at the Mural, Seattle Center

Seattle Center’s outdoor summer movie series features a giant screen near the Space Needle at the Mural Amphitheatre. Picnics encouraged, no pets. Movies show on Saturdays at dusk (around 9 p.m.). Line-up highlights include "The Princess Bride" and "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever." Note that this series is more teen- and adult-oriented.

Details: Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Saturdays July 28–Aug. 25. Free. 

People in lawn chairs enjoy movies at the Mural, one of the Seattle outdoor movies series
Movies at the Mural at Seattle Center

Three Dollar Bill Outdoor Cinema, Capitol Hill

Three Dollar Bill Cinema is a nonprofit with several programs supporting LGBTQ films. Arrive early for seating, preshow entertainment and concessions. Movies start when it gets dark, by 7 or 8 p.m. Turn up for "Little Richard: I Am Everything" (Aug. 20) and "The Wiz" (Aug. 27).

Details: See the website for schedule and locations in Seattle. Friday, July 28; Sundays Aug. 13–27. Free.

Edmonds Outdoor Movie Nights

Enjoy live pre-movie music performances. Movies begin approximately 15 minutes after sunset, refreshments for sale (cash only). Locations vary by date.

Details: Fridays at dusk through Aug. 4, location varies. July 14, "Minions: The Rise of Gru" at Frances Anderson Center Playfield; July 21, "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile" at Seaview Park; July 28, "Puss In Boots: The Last Wish" at Civic Park; Aug. 4, "The Bad Guys" at Hickman Park.

Sail-In Cinema, Everett

Catch family movies Friday nights in July and August at the only waterfront movie series in Snohomish County. Bring a blanket and low-back chairs, and don’t forget to dress in layers since it can get chilly by the water. If you plan to arrive by boat, guest moorage is available at Port of Everett’s North Guest Docks 7, and a radio frequency is provided so you can listen to the movie from your boat. Movie start times vary by date, so be sure to check the website before heading out. 

Details: Boxcar Park, Friday evenings through Aug. 25. Free.

Eastside outdoor movies

Skyway Outdoor Cinema, Renton

The Skyway Outdoor Cinema is on pause for 2023 while their venue at the Skyway Resource Center is under construction.

Details: 12610 76th Ave. S., Seattle. 

Downtown Movies in the Park, Bellevue

Head to Downtown Park in Bellevue on Tuesday evenings to watch family-friendly movies (all rated PG) on a 40-foot movie screen. Check the website to see the fun line up of movies, including "Minions: The Rise of Gru" and "Trolls World Tour." Pre-movie entertainment starts at 7 p.m., movies begin at dusk.

Details: Downtown Park, Tuesday evenings through Aug. 22.

Crossroads Movies in the Park, Bellevue

This four-week movie series takes place on the lawn at Crossroads Park on Thursday evenings in August. Family-focused offerings are "Pokémon: Detective Pikachu" (Aug. 3), "Big Hero 6" (Aug. 10), "Dumbo" (Aug. 17) and "Hocus Pocus" (Aug. 24). Family activities start at 7 p.m., movies start at dusk.

Details: Crossroads Park. Thursdays, Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Free.

People sitting on the lawn at Crossroads Park in Bellevue watching an outdoor movie on a big screen on a summer evening
Crossroads Movies in the Park

South Sound and South King County area

Friday Night Flick, Auburn

Live entertainment and outdoor movies make for a fun night out in Auburn. The three movies on the docket this season are "Minions: The Rise of Gru", "Turning Red" and "Top Gun: Maverick."

Details: Lea Hill Park, Friday, July 28; Sunset Park, Friday, Aug. 4; Les Gove Park, Friday, Aug. 11. Free.

Outdoor Family Movies, Covington

Head to the Covington Community Park Playfield on Friday evenings in July and August for family movies. Bring a low-back chair, snacks and enjoy the show.

Details: Covington Community Park Playfield, Fridays in July and August. Start times vary by date, see the website for more detail.

Motors & Movies at LeMay, Tacoma

Select Fridays and a Saturday this summer, head to America’s Car Museum for drive-in movies on the Haub Family Field. Parking for the show starts 6:30 p.m., with showtime at sunset (around 9 p.m.). Watch the 40-foot screen from your car or from a blanket or chair. This event is free to the public, but donations are accepted.

Details: LeMay – America’s Car Museum, 2702 East D. St., Tacoma. Fridays, July 7, Aug. 18, Sept. 1 and Saturday, July 29. Free. 

Bonus: not free, but fun!

Outdoor Movies at Marymoor Park, Redmond

Buy treats from food trucks or bring your own — and well-behaved dogs are welcome, too! Entertainment, activities and music. Event entry is 90 minutes before the scheduled event, movies begin at dusk Wednesdays and Thursdays, rain or shine. Some movie highlights include "Monsters, Inc." and "The Goonies."

Details: Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. Select Wednesdays and Thursdays through August 23. $10 per person.

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