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 21, is at 8:57 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

West Seattle Outdoor Movies

A selection of PG and PG-13 movies will be shown in the Junction on Saturdays, starting at dusk. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Bring cash for snacks and raffle tickets (raffles benefit local charities). This year the movies have moved to a new location. The series kicks off with "Wonder Woman" on Saturday, July 21, with an appearance by Wonder Woman herself!

Details: 3622 SW Snoqualmie St., Seattle. Saturdays July 21–Aug. 25. Free.

Center City Cinema, downtown Seattle

Movies show in downtown-area parks, including Westlake Park, Hing Hay Park and Freeway Park, select Friday and Saturday nights through Aug. 31. Pre-movie activities start at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk. Mark your calendar for "Mulan" sing-along in Hing Hay Park on Saturday, Aug. 11!

Details: Downtown-area Seattle parks (check website for locations). Select Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 31. 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. Line-up highlights include "Get Out" and "Little Shop of Horrors." 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. 

Movies at the Marina, Ballard

Shilshole Bay Marina presents family-friendly movies twice in August in the Central Plaza. Arrive early (around 7 p.m. to snag seats and free popcorn). Don’t forget blankets or jackets as the wind off the water can be chilly. Well-behaved (leashed) dogs allowed. Bonus: Come by boat! Guest moorage available, reserve by calling 206-787-3006. Movies start at dusk (around 9 p.m.): Aug. 3: "Overboard" (PG); Aug. 17: "Moana" (PG). 

Details: Shilshole Bay Marina, 7001 Seaview Ave. N., Seattle. Aug. 3 and Aug. 17. Free.

Edmonds Outdoor Movie Nights

Movies begin at dusk, refreshments for sale. July 27: "Moana;" Aug. 3: "Wonder."

Details: Frances Anderson Center Playfield, 700 Main. St., Edmonds. Fridays July 27 and Aug. 3. Free. 

Three Dollar Bill Outdoor Cinema, Capitol Hill

Three Dollar Bill Cinema is a nonprofit with several programs supporting LGBT films. Arrive early for seating, DJs start spinning and concessions open at 7 p.m. Fun contests and trivia start at 8:30 p.m. Movies start by 9 p.m. Turn up for "Sister Act" (Aug. 17), "The Devil Wears Prada" (Aug. 24) and "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar" (Aug. 31).

Details: Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., Seattle. Aug. 17, 24, 31. Free.

Eastside outdoor movies

Downtown Movies in the Park, Bellevue Downtown Park

At this Tuesday, family-focused film series, the popcorn is free and there are fun pre-show activities beginning at 7:30. Donations encouraged to a different charity each night. (See list of needs online). Movies start at dusk. Highlights include "The Greatest Showman" on Aug. 14.

Details: Downtown Park, 10201 4th St. N.E., Bellevue. Tuesdays through Aug. 28. Free.

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 at 6:30 p.m., movies begin at dusk Wednesdays rain or shine. Some movie highlights include "Black Panther" and "The Lion King."

Details: Marymoor Park, 6046 W. Lake Sammamish Parkway N.E., Redmond. Select Wednesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 29. $5–$6/person; ages 5 and under are free. Parking: $5/car.

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.

Summer Sounds and Cinema, Auburn

Live entertainment and outdoor movies make for a fun night out in Auburn! All events feature food concessions or food trucks, inflatable rides and an ArtRageous hands-on art activity. The three movies on the docket this season are "Despicable Me 3," "Coco" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark."

Details: Lea Hill Park, 31693 124th Ave. SE, Auburn. Fridays July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10. 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 4:30 PM, 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 21, Aug. 11 and 25. Free.