Summer Movies in Kansas City for Kids 2026
Does your family love going to the movies? Our family has always loved watching movies together. Now that my kids are a little bigger, we especially love seeing movies in theaters or outdoors! In Kansas City, multiple movie theaters and outdoor venues host summer movies for kids and families. Many of these venues and theaters in this Kansas City Summer Movie Guide have showings for families under $5 or free!
Summer Movie Guide - Under $5 for Kids in Kansas City
Download a free PDF copy of the guide at the end of this blog!
AMC Theatres - Not released for 2026 yet
AMC Theatres is hosting a Summer Movie Camp with showings every Monday and Wednesday at 11 AM and 2 PM. Tickets are only $3 each, and reservations can be made online.
Locations: Olathe Studio 28, Town Center 20, Prairiefire 27, Ward Parkway 14, Legends 14, Barrywoods 24, Independence Commons 20
B&B Theatres
The Summer Kid Series offers $3 tickets for Backstage Pass Members and $5 tickets for non-members. Families can sign up for the free Backstage Pass Membership online to receive discounted pricing. Showings take place on Wednesday and Thursday at 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM.
June 10, 11 - The Bad Guys 2
June 17, 18 - Dog Man
June 24, 25 - How to Train Your Dragon
July 1, 2 - Smurfs
July 8, 9 - The SpongeBob Movie
July 15, 16 - Paddington in Peru
July 22, 23 - Angry Birds 2
July 29, 30 - A Minecraft Movie
Locations: Grain Valley, Leavenworth, Lee’s Summit, Liberty, KC Northland, Overland Park, Shawnee, Topeka
Cinemark 20 Theater
Cinemark Merriam Summer Movie Clubhouse offers showings Monday through Thursday at 9:30 AM at the Merriam location. Families can reserve tickets online or arrive early to purchase tickets in person.
$1.75 per ticket, $1 off kids’ snack packs
June 1 - 4 - Paddington
June 8 - 11 - Sonic the Hedgehog
June 15 - 18 - KPOP Demon Hunters Sing-Along
June 22 - 25 - Shrek Forever After
June 29 - July 2 - The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants
July 6 - 9 - A Minecraft Movie
July 13 - 16- Dog Man
July 20 - 23 - How to Train Your Dragon (Live Action)
July 27 - 30 - The Bad Guys 2
August 3 - 6 - Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie
5500 Antioch Road Merriam, KS 66202
Tanger Outlets at Legends
Tanger Outlets Kansas City hosts free outdoor movies at “The Lawn” on select summer evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy the movie under the stars.
May 22 - Inside Out
June 12 - Kicking & Screaming
July 24 - Christmas in July (themed night, movie TBD)
1843 Village West Parkway Kansas City, KS
Movies in the Park: Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park
Shawnee Mission Theatre in the Park offers free outdoor movies throughout the summer. Gates and the box office open at 7:00 PM, and movies begin at 7:30 PM. Concessions are available, and families are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and their own snacks.
June 24 – A Minecraft Movie
June 26 – Tangled
June 29 – The Wizard of Oz
June 30 – Frozen
July 8 – A League of Their Own
July 16 – The Princess and the Frog
July 17 – Mean Girls (2024), Rated PG-13
7710 Renner Road Shawnee, KS 66218
Lenexa Movies in the Park
An outdoor movie with free admission and parking at a Lenexa, KS park. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks. Dogs are welcome!
May 29 - Lilo & Stitch (2025)
9:00 PM, Electric Park, 9305 Loiret Blvd.
July 24 - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
$3 pool members, $9 residents, $13 non-residents
Register online (Will sell out!)
8:00 PM, Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center, 8801 Greenway Ln.
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens - Blockbusters in Bloom
Overland Park Arboretum & Botanical Gardens hosts outdoor movie nights with gates opening at 6:00 PM and the movie beginning at 7:00 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the movie outdoors. Admission is $3 for ages 6–17, $7 for ages 18+, and free for children ages 5 and under. Outside food and drinks are not permitted, but a food truck and dessert truck will be on-site for each movie night.
July 24 - Throwback Sports Night: Cool Runnings
August 28 - Women Empowerment Night: TBD
September 25 - Hispanic Heritage Night: Encanto
8909 W. 179th Street Overland Park, KS 66013
Sand Cinema at Longivew Lake Beach
Longview Lake Beach hosts outdoor movies on the beach throughout the summer. Admission is $10 per car, and gates open at 7:30 PM with the movie starting at dusk. Families can bring lawn chairs and blankets, and concessions are available onsite. Swimmng, outside food, pets, and alcohol are not permitted. Before the movie begins, kids can enjoy games and character photo opportunities.
June 12 - Zootopia 2
July 10 - Elf
Longview Lake Beach 11101 Raytown Rd. Kansas City, MO 6413
Zona Rosa Summer Outdoor Movies in the Park
Zona Rosa hosts free outdoor movies every third Saturday night during the summer, with movies beginning at dusk around 8:45 PM. Movies take place at Central Park next to Bravo!, and families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.
May 16 - Best in Show (PG13)
June 20 - The Lorax
July 18 - Zootopia 2
7350 NW 87th Terrace Kansas City, MO 64153
Additional Summer Movies around Kansas City
Free outdoor movie at Grandview’s amphitheater near The View. Gates open at 7:30 - 9:00 PM. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions available.
May 29 - Lilo & Stitch (2025)
13501 Byars Rd, Grandview, MO 64030
Movie in the Park - Mission, KS
Enjoy a free outdoor movie in Mission, KS. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets. Movie starts at dusk.
June 12 - Princess Diaries
6649 Lamar Ave., Mission, KS
August 14 - TBD
5810 W 53rd St, Mission, KS
Moo-vie Night at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Enjoy a free movie outside under the stars! Bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Doors open to the Farmstead at 5:00 PM.
August 29 - TBD
September 12 - TBD
13800 Switzer Rd. Overland Park, KS 66221
Summer Movie Nights - Baldwin Rec Commission
Baldwin Recreation Commission hosts free outdoor summer movie nights at Sullivan Square. Families are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, and snacks to enjoy the movie outdoors. Movies begin at 9:00 PM, and all ages are welcome.
June 19 - Remember the Titans
July 17 - GOAT
Sullivan Square - 710 High St, Baldwin City, KS 66006
Movie titles, showtimes, cost, and availability are all subject to change. Please visit the organization’s website for the most up to date information.
More to be added as they are announced!
Download the free Summer Movie Guide PDF below!
coming soon
Which summer movie will you catch this year in the Kansas City metro? We love these cheap or free options to view a previous summer blockbuster or a family favorite.
Looking for more things to do this summer around Kansas City? Check out the brand new The Rabbit h0le Children’s Literature Museum, a local Splash Park, or take a Day Trip from Kansas City (a great post by Everyday Outdoor Family).
Updated 5/12/2026 - Gabrielle Isom
