BY JANICE LEWINE
Summer is a great time to enjoy a movie—outdoors or indoors. From rom-coms to blockbusters to family-friendly classics, there’s something for everyone.
Outdoor Movies
The Triangle offers plenty of outdoor venues where you can pack a picnic dinner, spread a blanket and watch a movie under a canopy of stars. Several locations offer food trucks and pre-show activities to enhance your experience. Events listed below are free unless otherwise noted.
Peak City Circuit at Apex Nature Park Amphitheatre
Watch outdoor movies on a large screen on select Saturdays: July 8, 22 and 29, and August 12 and 26. Movies begin at dusk. Visit the website for more information.
2600 Evans Road, Apex
apexnc.org/1673/peak-city-circuit
Movies Under the Stars at Forest Theatre
Watch family-friendly flicks and enjoy pre-show activities on select Thursdays: July 20 and 27, and August 10 and 17. Movies begin at sundown. Visit the website for movie titles.
123 South Boundary Street, Chapel Hill
chapelhillarts.org/festivals-events/#movies
Rock The Park at Durham Central Park
Durham Parks and Recreation presents Rock The Park, a free summer concert and movie series. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m. and include “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” (PG) June 24; “Turning Red” (PG) July 22; and “Top Gun: Maverick” August 19, 8:30–10:30 p.m. Visit the website for details on summer concerts at the park.
501 Foster Street, Durham
dprplaymore.org/318/rock-the-park-concert-movie-series
Movies Under the Stars at Raleigh Road Outdoor Theatre
The drive-in theater is open Thursday through Sunday and shows both family-friendly movies and movies tailored to adults. Tentative showings include “The Little Mermaid” and “The Boogeyman” in early June; “The Flash” in mid-June; and “Indiana Jones 5” in late-June. The theater opens at 7 p.m. While the movies are always shown at night, the specific time they start varies. Tickets for adults and those who are 12 and older cost $10. Tickets for children ages 3–11 cost $7 and those who are under age 3 are admitted for free. Guests can choose to sit in their cars, or set up blankets and lawn chairs.
3336 Raleigh Road, Henderson
MOSAIC is a mixed-use community that serves as the gateway to Chatham Park, a live-work-play-learn community in Pittsboro. Movie Night at MOSAIC takes place every other Friday at 7:30 p.m., with movies beginning at 8:30 p.m., on the Philip H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons lawn. Enjoy food trucks and a brewery at each event. Movies include: “Top Gun: Maverick” June 16; “The Lion King” August 4; “DC League of Super-Pets” August 18; and “Moana” September 1.
367 Freedom Parkway, Pittsboro
mosaicatchathampark.com/news/mosaic-2023-events
Movies on the Lawn at Dorothea Dix Park
Head to Flowers Field, Raleigh’s own Enchanted Forest, for a showing of DreamWorks’ “Shrek” on August 5. Come dressed as your favorite character. Pre-show activities take place at 7 p.m. and the movie begins at 8:30 p.m.
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh
dorotheadixpark.org/event/summer-movie-lawn
First Friday Series at Moore Square
Enjoy pre-show, themed entertainment before a full-length screening of popular movies under the stars. The series is free and food is available for purchase. Movies include “Men in Black” July 7; “The Princess and the Frog” August 4; and “Back to the Future” September 1.
201 S. Blount Street, Raleigh
raleighnc.gov/parks/news/first-friday-series-moore-square
Outdoor Films at the North Carolina Museum of Art
See favorite films at Park Theater on select nights beginning at 8:30 p.m. Movies include “Turning Red” June 23; “Grease” July 7; “Dirty Dancing” July 8; “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” July 14; “The Banshees of Inisherin” July 22; “Slumdog Millionaire” August 4; “Everything Everywhere All at Once” August 12; “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” August 17; and “In the Heights” August 26. Movies begin at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are free for museum members and children ages 6 and younger, but tickets required for entry; $7 for nonmembers. Preorder picnic boxes for events. Picnics are individual boxes filled with sandwiches, salads, sides and bottled water. Additional beverages, including beer, wine, cocktails and soft drinks are available for purchase.
2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh
ncartmuseum.org/series/outdoor-films
Movies at the Middle
The Town of Rolesville hosts outdoor movie showings at the Rolesville Middle School football field on select nights through October 6. Showtime is at sunset; gates open 30 minutes prior. Concessions are available. Visit the website for a list of movie titles.
4700 Burlington Mills Road, Rolesville
rolesvillenc.gov/parks-recreation/special-events/movies-middle
Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park
Family Movie Nights at Joyner Park include movie-themed, pre-show activities beginning at 7:15 p.m. prior to the movie at 8:30 p.m. Enjoy “Encanto” June 17; “Zootopia” July 22; and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” August 5. Take a blanket or chairs. Food vendors may be on hand selling snacks and beverages, or you can bring your own.
701 Harris Road, Wake Forest
wakeforestnc.gov/meetings-events/family-movie-nights-joyner-park
Flashback Flicks in Durham
JB Duke Hotel and Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham are hosting Flashback Flicks, a summer outdoor movie series for hotel guests and Triangle community members each Thursday in August at 8 p.m. The films are as follows: “A League of Their Own” (PG), August 10 at JB Duke Hotel; “Jaws” (PG), August 17 at Washington Duke Inn; “Roman Holiday” (G), August 24 at JB Duke Hotel; and “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (PG), August 31 at Washington Duke Inn. Local gourmet popcorn shop The Mad Popper will be on site selling its popcorn creations before and during the films.
Outdoor Movie Night at Five County Stadium
Enjoy “Top Gun: Maverick” July 14. The movie begins at 7:30 p.m. Dinner and dessert will be available for purchase from food trucks. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
401 S. Arendell Avenue, Zebulon
facebook.com/events/1665128917279170
Indoor Movies
If you prefer to escape the heat and watch a movie indoors, here are some low-cost, family-friendly viewing options at movie theaters across the Triangle.
On Thursdays and Fridays until September 6, Regal Theatres are offering $2 family movies. These movies include “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Shrek Forever After,” “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie,” “Sing,” “The Paw Patrol,” “Curious George” and many more. Visit the website for a list of movies and showtimes.
Regal Beaver Creek, 1441 Beaver Creek Commons Drive, Apex
Regal Crossroads & IMAX 501 Caitboo Avenue, Cary
Regal Brier Creek, 8611 Brier Creek Parkway, Raleigh
Regal North Hills, 4150 Main at North Hills Street, Raleigh
and Regal White Oak, 1205 Timber Drive East, Garner
regmovies.com/static/en/us/promotions/summer-movie-express
Flashback Cinema Series at Marquee Cinemas
The theater hosts a flashback cinema movie series that features a variety of “flashback” movies, including “Purple Rain,” June 7; “Twilight,” June 11 and 14; “Back to the Future,” June 18 and 21; and “Dirty Dancing” June 25 and 28. Visit the website for showtimes. Tickets are $5.
Marquee Cinemas-Wakefield 12, 10600 Common Oaks Drive, Raleigh
marqueecinemas.com/flashback-cinema
Kids Summer Movie Series at Marquee Cinemas
The theater hosts free movies beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. There are two movies to choose from each day. Movies include “Sonic 2” and “Minions” June 20 and 21; “Peter Rabbit 2” and “The League of Super Pets” June 27 and 28; “The Bad Guys” and “Tom & Jerry” July 4 and 5; “Paws of Fury” and “Boss Baby” July 11 and 12; “Lyle Lyle Crocodile” and “Clifford The Big Red Dog” July 18 and 19; “Puss in Boots” and “Everybody Loves Marcel” July 25 and 26; “Paw Patrol: The Movie” and “Mummies” August 1 and 2; “Space Jam: A New Legacy” and “The Amazing Maurice” August 8 and 9.
Marquee Cinemas-Wakefield 12, 10600 Common Oaks Drive, Raleigh
marqueecinemas.com/page/12604/kids-summer-movies
Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Raleigh Grande
Cinemark offers eight weeks of movies for $1.50 each. All screenings are at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” June 21; “Sonic the Hedgehog” June 29; “Mummies” July 5; “The Bad Guys” July 12; “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank” July 19; “DC League of Super-Pets” July 26; “Lyle Lyle Crocodile” August 2; and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” August 9.
4840 Grove Barton Road, Raleigh
cinemark.com/series-events-info-pages/summer-movie-clubhouse
Paragon Theaters Summer Movie Series
Paragon Theaters’ two locations in Cary feature $2 summer movies for families June 13–August 3 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. Movies include “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie” June 13–15; “Home” June 20–22; “Kung Fu Panda” June 27–29; “Madagascar” July 4–6; “The Croods” July 11–13; “Over the Hedge” July 18–20; “The Bad Guys” July 25–27; and “Trolls” August 1–3.
21 Fenton Main Street, Cary
1140 Parkside Main Street, Cary
paragontheaters.com/summermovies
B&B Theatres Summer Kids Series at Park West 14
B&B Theatres is showing affordable family-friendly movies for kids every week over summer break. Tickets are $5 for nonmembers and $3 for backstage pass members. Movies include “Mummies” June 6–8; “DC League of Super-Pets” June 13–15; “The LEGO Movie 2” June 20–22; “Smallfoot” June 27–29; “Space Jam” July 4–6; “Scoob!” July 11–13; “The LEGO Batman Movie” July 18–20; and “Tom & Jerry” July 25–27. The movies begin at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; sensory friendly showtimes are at 10:15 a.m.
B&B Theatres, 3400 Village Market Place, Morrisville
bbtheatres.com/events/kids-summer-series
Sensory Friendly Film Series at Carolina Theatre of Durham
The Sensory Friendly Film Series provides an environment that is accessible, welcoming and comfortable for individuals on the spectrum. Audience members are encouraged to get up out of their seats, dance, walk or sing. Families are permitted to bring their own snacks from home. Concessions will also be available for purchase. Movies include “Inside Out” July 8 and “Spirited Away” August 19. Showtimes are at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are free and can be reserved in advance of the film screening online, by phone at 919.560.3030 or at the box office. A limited number of tickets will also be available at the box office thirty minutes before the film screening.
309 W. Morgan Street, Durham
