The weather is dreamy on a perfect summer night. Are you looking for a fun activity to do with your family? Enter Movies Under the Stars!
There are numerous sites around the city, that you could even try a new spot each week! You can catch movies in Pickerington, Hilliard, Easton, Grove City, New Albany, Upper Arlington, Bexley, Galena, and even Zoombezi Bay!
We have quite a list for you this year and the best news is that many of the showings are free admission. Don’t forget a blanket or a lawn chair and the popcorn. These events are ones you won’t want to miss!
{If you are looking for a date night activity for the 21+ crowd, check out the lineup from Nightlight 614. There’s a DJ before the movie, food trucks, craft beers and wine and a great view.}
Columbus Summer Movie Line-up: Movies Under the Stars
New Albany Summer Movie Series
When: Begins June 21 (one per month). Luca kicks off the season for 2024! Festivities will begin at 6:00 pm. The movie will start around 9pm.
- June 21 showing Luca
- July 19 showing Trolls
- August 10 showing Barbie.
Where: Different spot each month in New Albany
Details: This summer lineup will include games, balloon benders, special performances, and more!
Website: New Albany Summer Movies
Columbus Commons Movie Night
- Saturday, May 25: Encanto
- Friday, June 21: The Secret Lives of Pets
- Friday, July 12: Ratatouille
- Saturday, September 7: Coco
Where: Columbus Commons
Details: 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.
Website: Columbus Commons
Pickerington Friday Night Flicks
Bring a blanket and chairs to enjoy a free movie with family and friends.
- Friday, June 21, 2024 – Barbie
- Friday, July 19, 2024 – The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Friday, August 2, 2024 – Migration
Make it an evening and come early to enjoy the Summer Concert Series before the movie.
Website: See the schedule here
Upper Arlington Movies on the Lawn
2024 Movies in the Parks Series Lineup
Wonka | Friday, June 14
Start: 7 pm
Rated: PG
Location: Thompson Park, 4250 Woodbridge Rd
Wish | Friday, July 12 Family Camp Out
Start: 7 pm
Rated: PG
Location: Sunny 95 Park, 4395 CARRIAGE HILL LN
Trolls Band Together | Friday, August 9
Start: 7 pm
Rated: PG
Location: Thompson Park, 4250 Woodbridge Rd
Details: Experience the joy of movie-watching in the great outdoors. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, and snacks to enhance your movie-watching experience. If a movie is canceled due to inclement weather (rain or winds over 15mph), it will not be rescheduled (weather hotline: 614-583-5345).
Cost: Movies are free
Website: Upper Arlington Movies
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.
- July 19: Barbie
- August 16: Serial Mom
- September 20: Wonka
Website: Goodale Park
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.
- June 15: Black Panther @ 9:30pm
- July 27: Barbie @ 9:30pm
- August 17: Wonder Park @ 9pm
- September 21: Migration @8pm
Concessions will be available through SACCA, all proceeds go to improving the recreation areas at Alum Creek!
Website: Alum Creek Movies
Galena Movies Under the Stars
- June 8: Migration
- July 13: Barbie
- August 10: (rain date)
Website: Galena Movies
Bexley The Main Event Movies
- May 31: Super Mario Bros.
- June 21: Honey I Shrunk the Kid
- September 14: Smoke and Science Fest and Wonka
Where: Main Street Lawn at Capital University
Details: More than just movies, see website for updates!
Website: Bexley The Main Event
Night Life 614
When: Tickets often sell out so don’t wait!
Where: Downtown Columbus
Details: Adult night out for a movie under the stars! Food trucks, live music and an outdoor show!
Website: NightLife 614
Zoombezi Bay Movie Nights
When: June 28, July 5, July 12, July 19, July 26
Details: Guests can extend their stay until 11 pm and enjoy certain attractions, there will be island fun with animals, music, character ambassadors and a movie on the jumbo screen.
- June 28: Happy Gilmore (1996, 1 hr 32 min, PG-13) *please note this movie is rated PG-13 and contains moderate profanity and suggestive scenes*
- July 5: The Mighty Ducks (1992, 1 hr 44 min, PG)
- July 12: The Blind Side (2009, 2 hr 9 min, PG-13)
- July 19: Cars (2006, 1 hr 57 min, G)
- July 26: Space Jam (1996, 1 hr 28 min, PG)
Website: Zoombezi Bay
Easton Movies by Moonlight
Details: The theme is 1999 Movie Rewind! Movies are on select Fridays with activities starting at 6 pm and the movie at 9 pm.
- June 28: Toy Story 2
- July 26: Tarzan
- August 23: 10 Things I Hate About You
- September 20: The Mummy
- October 11: The Sixth Sense
Website: Easton Movies
Reynoldsburg Movie Night
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 7: Migration
- July 5: The Marvels
- August 2: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
- September 6: Kung Fu Panda 4
Huber Park, 1640 Davidson Dr.
Website: Reynoldsburg Movies
Gahanna Great Outdoors + Cinema Under the Stars
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 21 – The Super Mario Brothers
- Friday, July 19 – Soul
- Friday, August 16 – The Little Mermaid
Website: Gahanna Movies
Grove City Movies in the Park
Grove City Movies in the Park are in Town Center for 2024
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 26: Super Mario Bros
- July 3: Field of Dreams
- July 17: The Little Mermaid (2023)
- July 24: The Grinch (2018)
- July 31: Trolls
- Aug. 7: Migration
- Oct. 5: RV
Website: Grove City Movies
What’s your favorite summer spot to watch movies under the stars? Let us know in the comments below!
For more ideas on summer fun, be sure to check out: Columbus Splash Pads and Shaded Playgrounds in Columbus.