Free Outdoor Summer Movies Around Seattle

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 23, is at 8:55 p.m. (thanks, Google); expect an outdoor movie this weekend to begin around 9:15 to 9:30 p.m. Times get earlier later in the summer.

Seattle-area outdoor movies

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 "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the 10 Rings." Note that this series is more teen- and adult-oriented.

Details: Mural Amphitheatre, Seattle Center, 305 Harrison St., Seattle. Saturdays July 30–Aug. 27. Free. 

 

Edmonds Outdoor Movie Nights

Movies begin at dusk, refreshments for sale. 

Details: Fridays at Dusk; July 15, Frances Anderson Center Playfield; July 22, Seaview Park; July 29, Hickman Park; Aug. 5, City Park

Eastside outdoor movies

Films in the Field, Bothell

Cozy up in the grass for this Wednesday night series that runs through Aug. 22. Seating begins at 8 p.m. Line-up includes "The Incredibles" (July 25) and "WALL-E" (Aug. 15).

Details: Park Ridge Community Church, 3805 Maltby Rd, Bothell. Wednesdays through Aug. 22. Free.

Crossroads Movies at the Park, Bellevue

This four-week movie takes place on the lawn at Crossroads Park on Thursday evenings through August. Family-focused offerings are "Coco" (Aug. 2), "Wonder" (Aug. 9), "Cars 3" (Aug. 16) and "Beauty and the Beast" (Aug. 23).

Details: Crossroads Park, 16140 NE 8th St., Bellevue. Thursdays Aug. 2, 9, 16 and 23. Free.

Outdoor Movies at Marymoor Park, Redmond

Buy treats from food trucks or bring your own — and well-behaved dogs are welcome, too! Entertainment, activities, trivia and prize raffles. Event entry is 90 minutes before the scheduled event, movies begin at dusk Wednesdays and Thursdays rain or shine. Some movie highlights include "Sing 2" and "Back to the Future."

Details: Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. Select Wednesdays and Thursdays through July 28. $30 per carload.

Carillon Point Movies in the Plaza, Kirkland

The beautiful waterside location can’t be beat for this Saturday series. Movies are projected onto a large screen overlooking Lake Washington. Bring chairs and some cash for concessions. 

Details: Carillon Point Plaza, 1200 Carillon Point. July 21, Aug. 4 and 18. Movies begin at dusk; the plaza will be open one hour prior for seating.  $5 suggested donation to Hopelink.

Skyway Outdoor Cinema, Renton

On the first four Fridays in August catch blockbuster movies like "Black Panther" and "Wonder Woman" at this free family series. Movies play behind the Skyway 7-Eleven on Renton Avenue South in the US Bank parking lot. It's cash only for concessions but you can hit the US Bank ATM if you're hungry and cash-less. Pre-show begins at 8 p.m. and movies start at 9 p.m..

Details: Behind 7-Eleven in the US Bank parking lot. Fridays Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24. Free.

North and south of Seattle locations

Cinema Under the Stars, Everett

A Friday series in Everett with pre-show entertainment at 7:30 p.m. Highlights include arts and crafts by Imagine Children's Museum and a Pacific Science Center science show. Snacks are cash-only. Series kicks off Friday, July 20 with "Early Man."

Details: Thornton A. Sullivan Park, 11405 Silver Lake Road, Everett. Fridays July 20–Aug. 17. Free.

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 "Sing 2," "Encanto" and "Remember the Titans."

Details: Lea Hill Park, Friday July 29; Sunset Park, Friday Aug. 5; Les Gove Park, Friday Aug. 12. Free.

Summer Drive-in Movies at LeMay, Tacoma

Select Saturdays this summer, head to America's Car Museum for drive-in movies on the Haub Family Showfield. Parking for the show starts 5 p.m., with showtime at dusk (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: America’s Car Museum, 2702 East D. St., Tacoma. Saturdays, July 15, July 29, Aug. 5 and 19. Free.