Enjoy movies under the stars with friends and family around Columbus throughout the summer and fall. Many community-sponsored movies are returning for 2026.
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 2026
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.
- June 5: Aladdin
- June 26: Zootopia 2
- July 10: Up
- Aug. 21: Elemental
- Sept. 18: Shrek
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.
- May 29, 2026 – The MineCraft Movie
- August 15, 2026 – Lilo and Stitch
- September 18, 2026 – TBT- Viewers’ Choice Voting
Friday Night Flicks in Pickerington
Free movie under the stars at Sycamore Park Amphitheater in Pickerington at dusk. Bring a blanket and chairs to enjoy a movie on the white barn with family and friends.
Friday, July 17, 2026 – The Sandlot
Arrive early for concerts in the park! See schedule here.
Free Friday Night Flicks and Summer concerts in Pickerington
Summer Movie Series in New Albany
New Albany Parks & Recreation are celebrating summer with the Summer Movie Series. The movies will be held at 3 different locations, and will feature entertainment and appearances.
- Friday, June 12: Sonic 3 Upper Clarenton (8424 Kiernan Dr.)
- Friday, July 10: Lilo and Stitch Windsor (Green space along Butterworth Green Dr.)
- Saturday, August 8: Zootopia 2 at Bevelhymer Park (7860 Bevelhymer Rd.)
Festivities: 6:30PM, Movie: Sunset. See details.
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 16: The Princess and the Frog
July 14: Ratatouille
August 11: The Lion King
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.
- Friday, June 12: Ready Player One (PG-13) @ Sunny 95 Park, 4395 Carriage Hill Lane
- Friday, July 10: 8-Bit Christmas (PG) @ Family Camp Out @Sunny 95 Park, 4395 Carriage Hill Ln
Pre-registration is required for the Family Campout - Friday, August 7: Little Giants (PG) @ Thompson Park, 4250 Woodbridge Rd
Movie Nights at Topiary Park
Food truck opens at 7:30 p.m. Movies start at 8:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Discovery Special Improvement District and Columbus Recreation and Parks. This event series is FREE and takes place at 480 E. Town Street (Topiary Park).
TBA 2026
More details here when released.
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 5: TBA
August 7: TBA
September 4: TBA
Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr.
Gahanna Great Outdoors + Cinema Under the Stars
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.
Friday, June 12 – Wicked for Good
Friday, July 10 – National Treasure
Friday, August 7 – A Minecraft Movie
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 4 – The Bad Guys 2
June 11 – Freakier Friday
June 25 – Top Gun: Maverick
July 9 – Austin Powers – Goldmember
July 23 – Sing 2
July 30 – Wicked for Good
Movies, First Fridays and weekly fun at Trolley District and East Market
Easton Friday Night Flicks
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.
TBA 2026
Cinema Saturdays in Dublin
Last Saturday of the Month, June-October, 2026. Bring blankets and a picnic (or to-go food) for a movie in Riverside Crossing Park. The early movies will be geared toward younger audiences (rated G), while the later screenings will be for teens and older viewers (rated up to PG-13).
More details here: Movies, music, festivals, markets and more fun at Dublin Bridge Park
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.
TBA 2026
Grove City Movies in the Park
Movies are shown on Wednesday evenings at Town Center Park at 8 p.m. Children’s activities begin at 7:30 p.m. Details here.
June 12: TBA
June 17: TBA
Summer Movie Series at Worthington Libraries
Join Worthington Libraries staff for outdoor activities and games at 8:30 pm and, once it gets dark, an outdoor movies. Details here.
- June 5, 2026: Zootopia 2
- July 17, 2026: Elio
- August 21, 2026: How to Train Your Dragon (live action remake)
Northwest Library
2280 Hard Road
Columbus, Ohio 43235
image: Worthington Library
Lancaster Saturday Cinema
2nd Saturday of each month, May-August, 2025.
Free outdoor movie on the square by the bandstand.
Come early to save your space, enjoy music, and participate in pre-movie activities starting at 7:30 pm. Bring blankets, chairs, and snacks, and enjoy this family film under the stars in our beautiful downtown. The movie will begin at dusk. Concessions are available for purchase.
Read more about fun places to visit in Lancaster.
May 9: The Iron Giant
June 13: Monsters Inc
July 11: Frozen
August 8: Up
Movies Under the Stars at Green Lawn Abbey
Tickets are $10. 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).
Friday, June 19, 2026: Sideways
More dates TBA.
Bring your chairs and blankets. All money raised goes to the restoration of Green Lawn Abbey. Details here.
Nightlife 614 Outdoor Film Series for Adults
2026 Season runs June 18 – October 9
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 $12.99 in advance or $20.99 at the door (sell-outs likely). Details and schedule 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!)
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.
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The following are still being updated for 2026
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
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.
tba 2026
Concessions will be available through SACCA, all proceeds go to improving the recreation areas at Alum Creek! Details here.
Just Another Dam Race and Storytime at Alum Creek with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and SACCA
Hinson Amphitheater
170 West E. Dublin-Granville Rd
New Albany, OH 43054
