10 Theater Chains Offering Free Summer Movies

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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

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

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