Here's where to watch outdoor movies for free this summer in Ventura County

Cheri Carlson, Ventura County Star
Updated ·3 min read

Grab blankets and popcorn and head outdoors for free summer movies in Ventura County. Here’s what you need to know.

Camarillo

Bring blankets, low-folding chairs and a picnic for the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District’s movie nights. Seating on the lawn is first come, first served at the Community Center Park, 1605 E. Burnley St. The event starts at 6 p.m. and the free movie begins at sunset.

More information: pvrpd.org/events-calendar. Sign up to volunteer at pvrpd.org/volunteer.

Moorpark

Bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit in the grass at Arroyo Vista Community Park, 4550 Tierra Rejada Road. Gates open an hour before showtime. Free movies begin at dusk.

More information: moorparkca.gov/724/Movies-in-the-Park.

  • July 14: "National Lampoon's Vacation" (rated R)

  • Aug. 18: "Uncharted" (rated PG-13)

  • Sept. 9: "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" (rated PG)

  • Oct. 21: "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (rated PG)

Ojai

The Ojai Film Society will kick off its summer series of free outdoor movies with a film that tells the story of competitive high school Mariachi bands. Movies start at 7:30 p.m. at the Libbey Bowl, 210 S. Signal St.

Reserve tickets in advance and get more information at ojaifilmsociety.org.

  • July 28: "Going Varsity in Mariachi"

  • Aug. 11: "The Princess Bride"

  • Aug. 25: "Blinded by the Light"

  • Sept. 8: "Singin' in the Rain"

  • Sept. 22: "Beasts of the Southern Wild"

  • Oct. 6: "Wild Life"

Santa Paula

The Santa Paula Recreation and Park District's free summer movies begin at dusk.

More information: 805-933-4226, ext. 350

  • July 21: "Selena" at Las Piedras Park, N. 13th St.

  • Aug. 18: "Super Mario Bros. Movie" at Obregon Park, San Clemente St.

Simi Valley

Watch a movie under the stars at Rancho Madera Community Park, 556 Lake Park Drive. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District says activities start at 5:30 p.m. and the free movies begin at dusk.

More information: https://rsrpd.org/recreation/events.

  • July 28: "The Greatest Showman"

  • Aug. 4: "Super-Pets"

For $4 per person, go to the “dive in” movies at the Rancho Simi pool, 1765 Royal Ave. Gates open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at dusk.

  • July 22: "Finding Nemo"

Thousand Oaks

Bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic and watch a free movie at Thousand Oaks Community Park, 2525 Moorpark Road. Movies start at sundown. Activities start an hour earlier – 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 25 and 5:45 p.m. on Sept. 29.

More information: crpd.org/events/moviesatthepark.

  • Aug. 25: "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish"

  • Sept. 29: "Top Gun: Maverick"

Ventura

Have an outdoor movie night seaside at the Ventura Harbor Village this summer. Weather pending, the free movies start at sunset on the main lawn off Spinnaker Drive.

More information: venturaharborvillage.com.

See a free outdoor movie series missing from this list? Email cheri.carlson@vcstar.com to let us know.

Cheri Carlson covers the environment and county government for the Ventura County Star. Reach her at cheri.carlson@vcstar.com or 805-437-0260.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Here's where to see free outdoor movies in Ventura County