Here are 12 places you can see movies outside for free this summer around Kansas City

Joseph Hernandez
·6 min read

Blockbuster season is in full effect in theaters around Kansas City. But movie tickets can get a bit pricey if you have a family, especially if you add drinks and popcorn. And, it’s the time of year that makes many of us want to spend as much time outside as possible.

Whether you’re looking for something to do for a date night or want to get out of the house, plenty of the city’s parks, theaters and outdoor venues are hosting free or cheap movie nights. Take a look at what’s playing around town this summer.

Screenland Armour

North Kansas City’s independent movie theater’s Backyard Movie series returns to the back parking lot for the summer. Some shows are free, and others are $5 a person.

Doors open 45 minutes before the listed showtime. Outside food and drinks, except water, are not allowed. Screenland Armour sells food inside the venue that guests can buy.

Kansas City Public Library

The library’s annual Off the Wall summer film series returns this year with free movies on the rooftop of the central branch at 14 W. 10th St. This year’s theme is “Feline Throughline,” and all featured films have cats in non-starring roles.

The doors open at 8 p.m. and the movie starts at 8:45 p.m. You can bring your own chairs, blankets, snacks and beverages, just make sure they’re non-alcoholic.

You have to RSVP in advance for these films by clicking the links or calling 816-701-3407:

Crown Center

The shopping mall in downtown Kansas City is bringing back the WeekEnder in July. Before the movie, enjoy local food trucks and live performances starting at 6 p.m.

  • July 7: “Top Gun: Maverick”

  • July 14: “The Addams Family”

  • July 21: “Black Panther”

  • July 28: “50 First Dates”

Make sure to bring your own blanket or lawn chair.

Zona Rosa

The shopping mall is showing classic summer flicks every third Saturday of the summer months. The movies will start at dusk in North Park, the space south of Dillard’s. Bring a chair or blanket.

  • June 17: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

  • July 15: “Legally Blonde”

  • Aug.19: “Mean Girls”

  • Sept. 16: “Finding Nemo”

Food trucks, adult beverages and special activities will be available before the movie begins.

Independence Square

The Moonlight Movies series is back for 2023 outside Pharaoh Cinema in Independence Square. Watch a movie outside every Thursday in June and July for free:

  • June 8: “The Bad Guys”

  • June 15: “Minions: Rise of Gru”

  • June 22: “Marcel: The Shell With Shoes On”

  • June 29: “Paws of Fury”

  • July 6: “Rock Dog 3”

  • July 13: “Sing 2”

  • July 20: “Elf”

  • July 27: “Vivo”

North Kansas City

Macken Park in North Kansas City is hosting a free family-friendly movie every month. Don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Movies start at dusk next to the Festival Shelter.

Gladstone Square

Linden Square in Gladstone is hosting two free movies this summer. Both films start at dusk, and make sure you bring a chair or blanket to lay out on the lawn.

  • June 24: “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania”

  • July 22: “Puss and Boots: The Last Wish”

Smithville Parks and Recreation

Downtown Smithville, around 30 minutes north of Kansas City, is hosting a free Movie at the Courtyard on June 24. Smithville Parks and Recreation hasn’t announced what movie is showing yet, but they have yard games and more activities starting at 6 p.m. The film starts at dusk, approximately 9 p.m.

Liberty Parks

Liberty also has two movies planned for its summer Popcorn in the Park series. Liberty Parks and Rec will provide free popcorn and water.

Pre-film festivities start at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at dusk.

  • June 16: “Minions: The Rise of Gru” at Bennett Park Baseball Field

  • July 28: “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” at Liberty Community Center

You can bring chairs, blankets and an entire picnic setup for the movies.

Legends Outlet mall

The Legends shopping outlet mall in Kansas City, Kansas is hosting a movie night every Saturday from now until October. You can bring outside food and a full-service bar will be available throughout the movie.

Each movie starts between 7-7:15 p.m. If a movie night is rained out, the schedule will continue as follows:

  • June 10: “The Devil Wears Prada”

  • June 17: “Despicable Me”

  • June 24: “The Princess Bride”

  • July 1: “National Treasure”

  • July 8: “Hook”

  • July 15: “E.T.”

  • July 22: “Honey I Shrunk the Kids”

  • July 29: “The Wedding Planner”

  • Aug. 5: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie”

  • Aug. 12: “School of Rock”

  • Aug. 19: “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”

  • Aug. 26: “Say Anything”

  • Sept. 2: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone”

  • Sept. 9: “Little Giants”

  • Sept. 16: “The Wizard of Oz”

  • Sept. 23: “Jumanji”

  • Sept. 30: “The Greatest Showman”

  • Oct. 7: “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania”

  • Oct. 14: “Casper”

  • Oct. 21: “Hocus Pocus”

  • Oct. 28: “The Nightmare Before Christmas”

Lenexa Parks

Bring your puppies to Lenexa’s free Movies in the Park series. Times and locations vary for each movie, so check out the schedule below:

  • June 16: “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” starts at 9:15 p.m. at Electric Park

  • July 21: “Marcell: The Shell with Shoes On” starts at 9 p.m. at Buffalo Meadows Park

  • Aug. 25: “Lyle, Lyle Crocodile” starts at 8:30 p.m. at Electric Park

  • Sept. 22: “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” starts at 7:45 p.m. at Electric Park

Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead

Overland Park’s farmstead is hosting a free movie on their lawn Aug. 26. There will be activities for children starting at 5 p.m. and the movie begins at approximately 8:30 p.m. Deanna Rose hasn’t announced what film visitors will be watching yet.