Free 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 2022. 

There are also plenty of drive-in style movies that give you the outdoor movie experience in or near the safety of 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 2022

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 28, 2022: Details tba
Friday, June 24, 2022: Details tba
Friday, July 15, 2022: Details tba

Upper Arlington Movies in the Park

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

Friday, June 10: Drive-in Style Movie: Sing 2
Friday, June 24: Movie Night: Free Willy 
Friday, July 8: Family Campout: Raya and the Last Dragon
Thursday, July 21: Summer Celebration: Space Jam A New Legacy
Friday, August 12: Movie Night: The Greatest Showman

Friday Night Flicks in Pickerington

Friday Night Flicks feature free movie under the stars at Sycamore Park Amphitheater in Pickerington at dusk on June 10, July 8, and August 12. 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 once a month on Fridays, June through August. The movies will be held at 3 different locations, and will feature entertainment and appearances. Movies start at dusk, around 9 pm. See details. 

Saturday, June 25: Encanto at Bevelhymer Park
The New Albany Parks and Recreation Foundation is hosting a Family Fun 5K and 1-Mile race at Bevelhymer Park. After the race, stick around for food trucks, inflatables, games, beverage garden, raffles and more! Special appearances by Mirabel, Isabela, Luisa, Dolores, and Bruno from Paulette’s Princess Parties. The evening will finish with a showing of Encanto.
Friday, July 15: Sing 2 at Hampsted Village
Festivities: 6:30PM, Sing 2: 9PM (Sunset)
August 12: Movie tba at The Preserve

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 3: Luca
Friday, July 29: Mitchells vs. the Machines
Friday, September 30: Encanto

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.

Friday, July 8: The Little Rascals (1994), rated PG 
Friday, August 12: TBD

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

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 15: Labyrinth
August 19: Moulin Rouge
September 16: Coco

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 7: Encanto
June 14: Inside Out
June 21: Trolls World Tour
June 28: Wizard of Oz

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 pm, movies at 7:30 pm. Details here.

June 28: A Bug’s Life
July 26: Monster’s Inc.
August 16: Finding Nemo

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.

June 9: Sing 2
June 23: Bad Guys
July 7: Space Jam: A New Legacy
July 21: Clifford the Big Red Dog
August 4: The Mitchells vs. The Machines
August 18: The Croods: A New Age

Discovery District Outdoor Movie Series

Catch some movies in the Sculpture Garden at the Columbus Museum of Art. The movies will begin at dusk. Admission is free! Details here.

Friday, June 17: The Incredibles
Friday, July 15: The Karate Kid
Friday, August 5: Black Panther

Before the movie, enjoy dinner at Pat & Gracie’s, Domino’s Pizza, or Pierogi Mountain. You can also stop by Hill’s Market Downtown to pick up snacks and refreshments.

Free parking is available in the museum’s adjacent parking lot on Gay Street and Washington Avenue.

The movie series is underwritten by the Discovery District Civic Association and Discovery Special Improvement District with support from the Columbus Museum of Art. Randy Walker is sponsoring the popcorn.

Reynoldsburg Movie Nights 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. Movie titles will be announced.

Saturday, June 11:
Saturday, July 9:

Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr.

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

June 18, 2022: Dolittle
July 16, 2022: Yogi Bear
August 20, 2022: Jungle Cruise
September 17, 2022: Open Season

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

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.

July 15 Encanto (PG)
August 19 Luca (PG)
September 23 Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (PG-13)

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).

Friday, June 3: Beetlejuice
Friday, June 17: Temors
Friday, July 15: Labyrinth
Friday, July 29: Goonies
Friday, August 12: Edward Scissorhands
Friday, August 26: The Lost Boys
Friday, September 9: Howard the Duck
Friday, September 30: Silver Bullet
Friday, October 14: Fall Fundraiser – Rocky Horror Picture Show. $20 donation admission.

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

2022 Season runs June 2 – October 14
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 $9.99 in advance or $18 at the door (sell-outs likely). Details here.

photo courtesy of Nightlife 614

Drive-in Theatres in Ohio

Skyview Drive-in in Lancaster, Ohio

The Skyview Drive in is worth the drive! $8 for 12 and over, $4 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 $2-$9.50; 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!)

Friday, April 7, 2023

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Sunday, April 9, 2023

Monday, April 10, 2023

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Thursday, April 13, 2023

Friday, April 14, 2023

Saturday, April 15, 2023

Sunday, April 16, 2023

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Thursday, April 20, 2023

Friday, April 21, 2023

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Sunday, April 23, 2023

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Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Friday, April 28, 2023

Movies tba for 2022

The Gateway Picture Show

C3 Church Movie On The Lawn

C3 Church in Canal Winchester hosts Movies on the Lawn this summer. Bring your crew, lawn chairs, and blankets. If it rains, the movie will be held inside the sanctuary. Free popcorn and snacks! Lot opens at 8:30; movies start at 9 pm. 

TBA for 2022

Whitehall Movies in the Moonlight at John Bishop Park A.K.A. Orton Davis

Movies in the Moonlight makes its return after Music in the Park this year for Friday Family Fun nights! Head to John Bishop Park for a night of free hotdogs, cotton candy popcorn and a free movie! 

TBA for 2022

Summer Outdoor Movie Series at Bridgeway Academy

Drexel Theater, PNC, and White Castle have partnered for the Summer Outdoor Movie Series at Bridgeway Academy (1350 Alum Creek Dr). Admission is free but registration is required. Lot opens at 8:00pm. Films to begin at dusk.

TBA 2022

Grove City Outdoor Community Drive-in Movie Series

TBA for 2022

Grove City has re-imagined their movie nights for 2021, and are hosting a Community Drive-in Movie Series this summer on Sundays at The Naz from June 23-July 28, 2021. Movies are shown 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. Click here for movie schedule or scroll down for all movies day by day.

Drive-in Friday Flick at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park in Hilliard

Enjoy a FREE drive-in movies at Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park. Bring the family, order dinner from the food truck, and enjoy the show. Register only one family member per car. Space limited; sign up here. Roger A. Reynolds Municipal Park, Veterans Memorial Drive, Hilliard, Ohio

TBA for 2022

Wexner Center at South Drive-In

The Wex heads to South Drive-in with a free series of three popular and critically acclaimed films of the 1980s, presented monthly beginning Sunday, June 6. 

Admission to all screenings in the Wex series is free, but space is limited and on a first come, first served basis. 

TBA for 2022

Moonlight Movies Drive-in at Polaris Fashion Place

Polaris Fashion Place brings back FREE drive-in Moonlight Movies in May. Tickets can be reserved through Eventbrite; one per vehicle.

Movies will begin promptly at 7:30 pm. Event parking will begin at 6:30 pm. 

TBA for 2022

Spooky Movie Nights at Cherry Valley Hotel in Newark

Bring your sleeping bags, pillows and blankets and join us for a spook-tacular good time this October! Saturday nights are dedicated to Halloween-holiday favorites, and we’ll have popcorn, candy and soda for purchase.

A limited number of blocks are available for purchase each Saturday in order to maintain social distancing safety measures. To reserve your block, click here. Reservations are $10 per family.

Join us at Craftsman Kitchen for a socially-distanced family dinner before doors open and receive 10% off your meal! Reserve your dinner reservations online now. Doors open at 7:30 pm, movie starts at dark.