Catch favorite flicks under the stars with Outdoor movies around Columbus

Enjoy movies under the stars with friends and family around Columbus throughout the summer and fall. Many community-sponsored movies are returning for 2023. 

There are also plenty of drive-in style movies that give you the outdoor movie experience in your car.

Please check individual website links provided for details, weather cancellations, or event changes.

If you know of any other free outdoor movies around Columbus that should be listed, please email info@columbusonthecheap.com.

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Upcoming Outdoor Movies 2023

Columbus Commons Movie Night

Bring your blanket or chairs and some snacks or a picnic and catch these family-friendly films at dusk downtown. Tortilla and Jeni’s will be open for movie snacks. Details here.

Saturday, May 27– Moana
Friday, June 23– The Lion King
Friday, July 14– Shrek
Saturday, September 9– Encanto

The Main Event in Bexley

There will be Pre-movie entertainment starting at 6:30 pm, and food trucks will be on-site at the Main Street Lawn. The movies will begin at sunset, around 9:00 pm. Details here.

Friday, June 2: Sing 2 (with Bexley’s Got Talent)
Friday, July 21: The Mighty Ducks
Friday, September 29: Top Gun: Maverick

Upper Arlington Movies in the Park

Free outdoor movies this summer at various locations. Select movies are in coordination with other community events, such as the Family Campout and Summer Celebration. See the details here.

Thursday, June 8: Respect 
Friday, June 9: Drive-in Style Movie: Clifford the Big Red Dog
Friday, July 7: Family Campout: Sonic 2
Friday, August 11: Movie Night: Encanto

Movies under the Stars at Columbus Metro Parks

Head to a Columbus Metro Parks this summer and fall for movies under the stars! These free movies are open to all ages! Movies start at dark

Friday, July 28 (9 pm) Movie in the Park: Lightyear at Blacklick Woods Golf Course
Friday, August 11 (9 pm) Movie in the Park: Zootopia at Sharon Woods Metro Park (rain date: Aug 12). 
Friday, August 25 (9 pm) Movie in the Park: Happy Gilmore at Blacklick Woods Golf Course. Rain location in the Eagleview event building (blue building).
Saturday, September 9 (8 pm) Movie in the Park: Top Gun Maverick at Blendon Woods
Saturday, September 16 (8 pm) Movie in the Park: Pan’s Labyrinth at Glacier Ridge
Saturday, September 23 (8 pm) Movie in the Park: Rise of Gru at Highbanks

See more details.

Grove City Outdoor Movie Series

Grove City has partnered with The Naz to bring back movies nights for 2023.

Movies are shown on Wednesdays on a large screen in The Naz parking lot, 4770 Hoover Road, at 6:30 p.m. You can get refreshments at The Naz Cafe or bring snacks and beverages. See details here.

June 21: Family Camp
June 28: The Lorax
July 5: Coco
July 12: Ghostbusters (original)
July 19: Pirates of the Caribbean (original)
July 26: E.T.

Friday Night Flicks in Pickerington

Friday Night Flicks feature free movie under the stars at Sycamore Park Amphitheater in Pickerington at dusk on June 2, July 7, and August 4, 2023.

Bring a blanket and chairs to enjoy a movie on the white barn with family and friends. Arrive early for concerts in the park! See schedule here. 

Summer Movie Series in New Albany

New Albany Parks & Recreation are celebrating summer with the Summer Movie Series on June 24, July 21, August 11. The movies will be held at 3 different locations, and will feature entertainment and appearances.

Movies start at dusk, around 9 pm. See details. 

Goodale Park Screen on the Green Outdoor Movies

Head to Goodale Park on the 3rd Friday in July, August, and September for the Screen on the Green Outdoor Movie series. Movie will start at dusk.

Food vendors and refreshments will be available for purchase, or you can bring your own. Check here for the schedule. 

July 21: Galaxy Quest
August 18: Sister Act
September 15: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On

Easton Movies by Moonlight Schedule

Movies by Moonlight are held every Tuesday at dusk in June, featuring favorite family movies. Bring a blanket and snacks for this outdoor movie series under the stars on Easton Town Square. Details here.

June 6 – Lightyear (2022)
June 13 – DC League of Super Pets (2022)
June 20 – Back to the Future (1985)
June 27 – Puss In Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Catch free Movies by Moonlight at Easton Town Center

Family Flick Nights at Hinson Amphitheater in New Albany

Free movies at the Hinson Amphitheater in New Albany (adjacent to the McCoy Center, 100 West E. Dublin Granville Road).

Bring chairs/blankets, and a picnic, or purchase dinner from food trucks. Gates at 6:30 pm, movies at 7:30 pm. Details here.

June 20 – Despicable Me
July 25 – Encanto
August 15 – Frozen
September 26 – Moana

Reynoldsburg First Friday Flicks in Huber Park

Load up the family and head out to Huber Park for a FREE Movie Night! Bring all your favorite snacks and enjoy a summer movie under the stars outside.

Free activities will be provided 30 minutes before the start of the movie. Details here.

June 2: Encanto
July 7: Elf
August 4: Luca
September 1: Raya and the Last Dragon
October 6: Lego Batman

Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr.

Movie Night at The Historic Trolley District

The movies begin at dusk in The Switch Yard. Drinks and dinner will be available in the market for purchase from our amazing vendors. In the case of rain, movies will be shown inside at Railhouse.

June 1: Lyle Lyle Crocodile
June 15: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
June 22: Back to the Future
June 29: Top Gun Maverick
July 6: Christmas in July – Elf
July 20: The Goonies
July 27: The Sandlot
August 3: Black Panther Wakanda Forever
August 17: The Super Mario Bros Movie

Movies at the Dam

Join the Alum Creek Park Rangers and our partners, SACCA, for some fun filled summer nights in the Below Dam Recreation Area.

your chairs, blankets and the popcorn! Movies start at 9:30 pm

June 17, 2023: Strange World!
July 15, 2023: Clifford the Big Red Dog
August 19, 2023: DC League of Superpets
September 16, 2023: The Jungle Book (8pm)

Concessions will be available through SACCA, all proceeds go to improving the recreation areas at Alum Creek! Details here.

Fun at the Dams and Lakes with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and SACCA

Gahanna Great Outdoors + Cinema Under the Stars

Presented by Tina Wedebrook, RE/MAX Connection. Make it a fun night out with themed outdoor activities before a unique cinematic experience at your local park! Fun may include yard games, bounce houses and inflatables, craft stations, and petting zoo. Food and drink are available for purchase at food trucks.

Events are 7 pm – 11 pm at Friendship Park. Details here.

June 30 – Top Gun: Maverick
July 28 – Jungle Cruise
August 25 – The Incredibles

Nightlife 614 Outdoor Film Series for Adults

2023 Season runs June 22 – October 13
These nights are dedicated to hanging out with other young professionals and feature food trucks, breweries, wineries, and movies at Genoa Park near COSI in Downtown Columbus. Tickets are $10.99 in advance or $18.99 at the door (sell-outs likely). Details here.

June 22: Happy Gilmore (Sold Out!)
July 7: Top Gun: Maverick (Sold Out!)
July 13: Mean Girls (Sold Out!)
July 27: School of Rock (Sold Out!)
August 3: Juno
August 24: Wedding Crashers
September 14: Everything Everywhere All at Once
September 21: Legally Blonde
September 28: Black Panther
October 12: Hocus Pocus
October 13: The Sixth Sense

photo courtesy of Nightlife 614

Movies Under the Stars at Green Lawn Abbey

Tickets are $5 at the door. Movie at dark on se. Food trucks on on site, so arrive early to get food for a picnic. Movie is in the side yard, plenty of free parking. Rain date is the next night (Saturday).

August 4: Dazed and Confused
August 18: Back to the Future
September 1: Natural Born Killers
September 15: Jurassic Park
September 29: Rushmore
October 6: Serial Mom
October 13: Pet Semetary

Bring your chairs and blankets. All money raised goes to the restoration of Green Lawn Abbey. Details here.

Drive-in Theatres in Ohio

Skyview Drive-in in Lancaster, Ohio

The Skyview Drive in is worth the drive! $9.50 for 12 and over, $5 for ages 4-11. Check the schedule for upcoming movies.

South Drive-in Theater

The South Drive-in Theater is located on the South Side of Columbus, showing movies on Friday – Sunday in Spring and more frequently during the summer. Admission is $5-$10; 4 and under free. See details here.

Upcoming Outdoor Movies in Columbus, day-by-day

(Movies will be listed for the next 30 days, and the list will constantly update – bookmark this page!)

The following are still being updated for 2023

Movie in the Park at Hanner’s Park

Destination: Canal Winchester and the City of Canal Winchester invite you to enjoy a family-friendly movie in Hanners Park! Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, or enjoy the film from the comfort of your vehicle.

Free activities will take place before the movie begins and complimentary snacks are provided. Details here.

Roger Hanners Recreation Fields, 458 Groveport Rd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110

East Market Summer Family Movie Series

Grab food from the East Market, bring a chair, and enjoy a family-friendly outdoor movie! Movie will begin at dusk, approximately 8:45PM. Details here.

tba 2023