10 Theater Chains Offering Free Summer Movies

The popcorn will cost you, but families still can find free summertime entertainment at the movies.

These regional theater chains are kicking off their summer 2015 lineups with previously released but popular G- and PG-rated movies — and offering free admission, usually to all ages.

Just be sure to call ahead for details particular to each theater location and arrive early. Seats for these showings are usually available on a first-come, first-served basis, and theaters might be crowded with summer camp groups on certain days.

Unless specified, all admission for shows in the following list is free:

Bow Tie Cinemas

Who: Not specified
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays from June 23 through Aug. 19
Where: Select theaters in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Virginia
For more info: www.bowtiecinemas.com/programs/kids-club

Cinemaworld

Who: For everyone. (Adult admission costs $2, or free with certain types of nonperishable food donations.)
When: 10 a.m. daily in June, July and August. (Dates vary by location.)
Where: All locations. (One Cinemaworld theater each in Florida and Rhode Island, and one Majestic theater in Florida that is also owned by Cinemaworld.)
For more info: www.cwtheaters.com/melbourne/kidfest, www.cwtheaters.com/lincoln/kidfest or www.cwtheaters.com/vero/kidfest

Cobb Theatres

Who: For “all ages.”
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August.
Where: Select theaters in Alabama, Florida and Virginia.
For more info: Choose a theater at www.cobbtheatres.com and then look for the “Free Summer Kids Shows” icon on the left of the theater’s page.

Flagship Cinemas

Who: For “the general public.”
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August. (Dates vary by location.)
Where: Select theaters in Florida, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Vermont.
For more info: Choose a theater at www.flagshipcinemas.com, and then look for the “Camp Flagship” icon on the left of the theater’s page.

Marquee Cinemas

Who: “Family films.”
When: 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June, July and August; 11 a.m. Tuesdays at Welch, Summersville and Lewisburg, West Virginia, theaters. (Dates vary by location.)
Where: All locations. (Seventeen theaters in Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia.)
For more info: Choose a theater at www.marqueecinemas.com/summerkidsseries

Muller Family Theatres

Who: For “children of all interests and ages.”
When: 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 17 through Aug. 20.
Where: All locations. (Eight theaters in Minnesota.)
For more info: Choose a theater at www.mullerfamilytheatres.com and then scroll down to “2015 Summer Movie Series.”

Paragon Theaters

Who: For “families.”
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from June 23 through Aug. 20.
Where: All locations. (Eight theaters in Florida, Maryland, Minnesota and Virginia.)
For more info: www.paragontheaters.com/promotions; choose a theater from “Locations.”

Phoenix Big Cinemas

Who: For “all ages and groups.”
When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in June, July and August.
Where: All locations. (Ten theaters in Florida, Kansas, Maryland, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Virginia.)
For more info: www.phoenixtheatres.com/summerkids.asp

REI Cinemas

Who: For “everyone.”
When: 10 and 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June, July and August.
Where: All locations (three theaters in South Carolina).
For more info: www.reicinemas.net/?page_id=79

Showcase Cinemas

Who: Children who bring a book report. (Adults and kids under 6 accompanying them need not bring a book report.)
When: 9 or 10 a.m. Wednesdays from July 8 through July 29. (Time varies by location.)
Where: Select locations. (Twenty theaters in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio and Rhode Island.)
For more info: www.showcasecinemas.com/programs/kids-and-families/bookwormwed2015