It's time to start figuring out how to keep the summer busy.
You're in luck, there are a bunch of free movies, outdoor movies, movies while you swim, and discounted movies in an air-conditioned theater. We found them and put them in a list for you.
It will keep your kid interested for a few hours and it won't break your bank. We call that a win-win.
Outdoor movies
Don't worry about melting, movies start after the sun sets.
Movies in The Loft's parking lot
This summer, The Loft is playing a rockin' movie selection in their parking lot.
Watch a movie under the stars with alcohol available for purchase in the lobby. Sit in one of the 200 seats or bring your own comfy seat.
Movie rolls at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $8 and $6 for Loft members and children 12 and under. Check out their website for more information.
• July 2: Cry-Baby
• July 3: Monterey Pop
• July 4: Jaws
• July 5: Stop Making Sense
• July 6: Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Cinema La Placita
Hours: Every Thursday starting at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Tucson Museum of Art, 140 N. Main Ave.
Cost: $3 per person, includes admission and popcorn.
A large crowd gathered May 26 to eat and watch “Best in Show,” the final movie to appear at the outdoor film series at La Placita Village.
First, it started off at La Placita, then it moved to the Pima County Court House. Now it's found a home on the Tucson Museum of Art Plaza, which means you can have wine and beer while you watch a movie. #Blessed.
You watch a classic movie under the stars every week for $3. Yeah, it's not free but you do get popcorn with admission.
• July 6: Jaws
• July 13: Do the Right Thing
• July 20: Inherit the Wind
• July 27: Dirty Dancing
Cox Communications Movies in the Park
Hours: Every first Friday of the month, around 7:45 p.m.
Location: Reid Park's Demeester Outdoor Performance Center
Cost: It's free!
Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
Con muchas almohadas y cobijas, Jolie Anderson se acomoda con su familia mientars esperan a que se meta el sol para disfrutar de una pelícual al aire libre en East Lawn Palms Mortuary el pasado 22 de mayo en Tucsón. Y no le dio miedo.
It's at Reid Park, there are activities before the movie, and food trucks around to satisfy your hunger. Make this your summer activity. There's a movie playing every first Friday of the summer from May to September.
• July 7: The Secret Life of Pets
• August 4: Zootopia
• September 1: Finding Dory
Movies in Marana
More free movies on Saturday!
• July 15: Finding Dory
Another dive-in movie because that just makes sense. It'll be like you're swimming with Dory and friends through the ocean to find her family. Read details here.
Hours: 7:45-9:45 p.m.
Location: Marana Public Pool, 13250 N. Lon Adams Rd.
• August 19: Moana
Your kiddo will be standing at the edge of the water because that's what splash pads feel like. How far will you go? Are you ready to burst out in song? Don't forget to bring something to sit on. Read details here.
Hours: 7:15-9:15 p.m.
Location: Splash Pad at Marana Heritage River Park, 12205 W. Tangerine Farms Rd.
• September 16: Beauty and the Beast (2017)
You'll be watching a tale as old as time but not as old as 1991, you'll watch the 2017 live-action. Read details here.
Hours: 6:45-8:45 p.m.
Location: San Lucas Community Park, 14040 N. Adonis Rd.
• October 28: Hocus Pocus
Spoooooky! Bring a chair and your best costume. Read details here.
Hours: 6-8 p.m.
Location: Crossroads at Silverbell District Park, 7548 N. Silverbell Rd.
Drive-in Movies on the Driving Range
Hours: Every third Saturday of the month, starting at 7:15 p.m.
Location: Oro Valley Community Center, 10555 N. La Cañada Dr.
Cost: It's free!
Watch a movie on an inflatable screen and some people get to sit on golf carts and others are welcome to bring their own chairs and blankets.
• July 15: Rogue One
• August 19: Lego Batman
• September 16: Finding Dory
Cactus Drive-in Foundation
Hours: There's a movie every 2-3 weeks on a Thursday or Sunday. Movies start after 7 p.m.
Location: 4100 S. Palo Verde Rd.
Cost: $15 per vehicle.
The Cactus Drive-in Foundation is trying to bring us a permanent drive in. We need it. For now, you can watch movies at the Tanque Verde Swap Meet to fill that void. You can find more information on Facebook.
• July 6: Zootopia
• July 13: La La Land
• July 20: The Princess Bride
• July 27: Grease
Indoor movies
Where there is air conditioning. 😌
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse
You either pay $5 for 10 movies or $1 each.
It's not just for kids and all you have to do is pick a theater that works for you and your schedule.
There are three Tucson and one Oro Valley movie theaters participating in the Summer Movie Clubhouse. The movies are the same at each theater but times vary. Choose your theater carefully and buy the punch card there. Once you buy the card, you're stuck with that theater.
Movies start playing as soon as May 29 and end as late as August 4. These are the movies: Sing, The Secret Life of Pets, The LEGO Batman Movie, Trolls, Shrek The Third, Goosebumps, The Iron Giant, Hotel Transylvania 2, Megamind and The Angry Birds Movie.
Century 20 El Con, 3601 E. Broadway Blvd.
• Showtimes are 10 a.m. on Fridays.
• You can review movie dates and times online.
Century Park Place 20, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., #3006
• Showtimes are 10 a.m. Monday-Thursday.
• You can review movie dates and times online.
Century Gateway 12, 770 N. Kolb Rd.
• Showtimes are 10 a.m. on Mondays.
• You can review movie dates and times online.
Century Theater at Oro Valley Marketplace, 12155 N. Oracle Rd.
• Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
• You can review movie dates and times online.
Summer Movie Fun at Harkins Theater
It's kind of like the Summer Movie Clubhouse.
From May 29 to August 4, children 3-13 (accompanied by an adult) can buy a $5 pass to see 10 movies over the summer (or $2 each). The participating theaters are Tucson Spectrum 18 at 5455 S. Calle Santa Cruz and Arizona Pavilions 12 at 5755 W. Arizona Pavilions Dr.
The main difference is you get to pick what day works for you during a regular work week. Movies start at 9:45 a.m. every morning.
These are the movies: Mr. Popper's Penguins, Trolls, The Secret Life of Pets, The Lego Batman Movie, The Angry Birds Movie, Norm of the North, Kung Fu Panda 3, Storks, Ice Age: Collision Course and Rock Dog. You can find the list of dates here.
Loft Jr. and Loft Kids Fest
The Loft Cinema is hosting Loft Jr. Screenings where they dedicate one day a month to children and movies they might like.
On these days, The Loft plays kid-friendly movies for free with free activities hosted by Mildred & Dildred Toy Store before the movie. Pre-movie activities start at 9:15 a.m. and movies start at 10 a.m.
• July 8: Whale Rider
• August 12: Sing
• September 9: Shaun the Sheep Movie
Parents and kids packed the carnival area of Trail Dust Town, 6541 E. Tanque Verde Road, for last year’s Loft Kids Fest event. The area was filled with rides, face-painting stations and bands.
And then on top of all of that, you can look forward to Loft Kids Fest. That's nine days of free screenings and free popcorn.
It all kicks off with a party on July 21 at Trail Dust Town at 6541 E. Tanque Verde Rd. where children can participate in family-friendly activities and ride the Trail Dust Town rides. There will not be a movie playing at the kick off party but it it's still something you don't want to miss.
Then starting at 10 a.m. on July 22 to 30, children can watch movies, eat popcorn and do activities with Mildred & Dildred Toy Store for free. Here's the line up for Loft Kids Fest:
• July 22: Cinderella (2015) at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• July 23: Kubo and the Two Strings at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• July 24: Disneynature: Oceans at 10 a.m.
• July 25: Akeelah and the Bee at 10 a.m.
• July 26: Bee Movie at 10 a.m.
• July 27: The Sandlot at 10 a.m.
• July 28: Looney Tunes at 10 a.m.
• July 29: Ponyo at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
• July 30: Ice Age at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Classic films at the Temple of Music and Arts
Hours: Some screenings play at 2 p.m. and others play at 7 p.m.
Location: Temple of Music and Arts, 330 S. Scott Ave.
Cost: $10 gets you free popcorn and one free beverage. Buy tickets online or at the door.
The already-enchanting Temple of Music and Art is hosting eight classic movie nights throughout the summer.
Starting on June 2 with "The Searchers," the Temple is bringing you a movie night mixed with food trucks, popcorn, and live music before the movie.
• August 4: A Night at the Opera
• August 6: A Rebel Without a Cause
Dive-in Movies
Swimming and movies? Heck yes!
Oro Valley
Hours: Gates open at 7:30 p.m.
Location: Oro Valley Aquatic Center, 23 W. Calle Concordia
Cost: It's free!
This one's just for teens (13-19). Teens get to swim and watch cool movies with friends.
• July 22: Doctor Strange
• August 26: The Sandlot
• September 9: The Maze Runner
