Outdoor movies in Columbus are the one of the best parts of summer! Check out one of these outdoor or drive-in movie options for your family this summer!
There are many opportunities for outdoor movies in Columbus! Make sure to check each link in case tickets are needed in advance! And don’t forget South Drive-In Theatre which is a permanent drive-in movie theater on the south side of Columbus!
Check back soon! This post is being continually being updated for 2023 as information becomes available!
1. South Drive In Theatre
South Drive In is a permanent drive-in movie theatre. The theater is open weekends only. Online ticketing is available, however cards and cash will be accepted at the gate. Kids 4 and under are free every night and kids ages 5-11 are $5. A concession stand and restrooms will also be available. There are two screens and 4 movies are shown each evening.
2. Skyview Drive In
Skyview Drive-In is a permanent drive-in movie theater in Lancaster! Tickets are available online. Kids 3 and under are free and ages 4-11 are $5 each. 12 and up are $9.50/each. There is a concession stand with a full menu available or you will need to purchase a food permit at the box office in order to bring in outside food.
3. Movies at Moonlight at Easton Town Center
Free outdoor movies will take place on Tuesday evenings in June in the Town Square at dusk. 2023 movies include:
- June 6: Lightyear
- June 13: DC League of Super Pets
- June 20: Back To the Future
- June 27: Puss In Boots: The Last Wish
4. Nightlight 614
Nightlight 614 is a 21+ outdoor movie series featuring local food trucks, craft beer and wine and a DJ. The movies take place at Genoa park. Tickets available in advance.
Upcoming Movies for 2023:
- Thursday, August 24: Wedding Crashers
- Thursday, August 31: Happy Gilmore
- Thursday, September 14: Everything Everywhere All At Once
- Thursday, September 21: Legally Blonde
- Thursday, September 28: Black Panther
- Thursday, October 12: Hocus Pocus
- Friday, October 13: The Sixth Sense
Related: Movies, Concerts and More: Events for Every Night of the Week in Columbus!
5. Free Movie Nights at Columbus Commons
Watch an outdoor movie on the large screen at Columbus Commons! Movies begin at 8:15 PM. 2023 movie line up is:
- May 27 – Moana
- June 23 – The Lion King
- July 14 – Shrek
- September 9 – Encanto
For the June 23 and July 14 free movies, gates will open at 8:00 PM following a ticketed Columbus Symphony Orchestra Popcorn Pops performance. You will not be able to enter the park until the event has finished.
On Sept. 9, Columbus Commons will welcome families with Autism and developmental disabilities in a partnership with Bridgeway Academy & Therapy Center.
6. The Main Event in Bexley
Three outdoor movies will be shown on Main Street Lawn at Sunset this summer!
2023 Movie Line Up:
- June 2 – Sing 2 & Bexley’s Got Talent
- July 21 – The Mighty Ducks
- September 29 – Top Gun: Maverick
Events include live music and food trucks beginning at 6:00 PM and the free movies begin around sundown.
7. Movies in the Parks in Upper Arlington
2023 Movie Line up is as follows. Movies are at rotating locations and are sometimes part of larger events.
- Thursday, June 8 – Respect
Start: 9 pm
Location: Municipal Services Center, 3600 Tremont Rd
- Friday, June 9 – Clifford the Big Red Dog (Drive-in Movie)
Start: 7:30 pm
Location: Mountview Christian Church, 2140 Fishinger Rd
- Friday, July 7 – Sonic 2/Family Camp Out
Start: 7:30 pm
Location: Sunny 95 Park, 4395 Carriage Hill Ln
- Friday, August 11 – Encanto
Start: 7:30 pm
Location: Thompson Park South Shelter, 2020 McCoy Rd
8. Movies at McNamara
These free outdoor movies take place in McNamara Park in Genoa Township. Bring a chair or blanket. A rain date is saved in case either movie is cancelled!
2023 Movie Line Up is as follows:
- June 10 – The Rise of Gru
- July 15 – Lightyear
- August 12 (rain date)
9. Friday Night Flicks at Sycamore Creek Park Amphitheater
These free outdoor movies take place at Sycamore Creek Park in Pickerington on select Friday nights at dusk. The movies take place after the free Summer Concert Series. Bring a blanket and chairs.
2023 Movie Line Up:
- Friday, June 2, 2023 – Minions: The Rise of Gru
- Friday, July 7, 2023 – Top Gun: Maverick
- Friday, August 4, 2023 – Puss and Boots: The Last Wish
10. Movies at the Dam
These free outdoor movies will be shown in the Below Dam Recreation Area! Bring a chair or blanket!
There will be 4 movies over the course of the summer. Movies start at 9:30 PM. Concessions will be available.
2023 Outdoor Movie Line Up:
- June 17: Strange World
- July 15: Clifford the Big Red Dog
- August 19: DC League of Superpets
- September 16: The Jungle Book
11. Movie in the Park at Galloway Sports Complex
This outdoor movie in Galloway is free to attend. Concessions are available to purchase. Gates open at 7:30 PM and the movies begin at sunset.
Upcoming movie title has not been announced yet. Check their Facebook page for updates!
2023 movie date is:
- June 1
12. Cinema Under the Stars in Friendship Park
Outdoor activities, food trucks, crafts and more will take place before a showing of a free outdoor movie in Friendship Park in Gahanna! Bring blankets and lawn chairs!
2023 movie line up:
- June 30 – Top Gun: Maverick
- July 28 – Jungle Cruise
- August 25 – The Incredibles
Related: 5 Super Fun Playgrounds in Gahanna
13. Movie Nights in the Park at Topiary Park
Movie nights take place in Topiary Park on the fourth Fridays in June, July and August. Movies begin at 9:15 PM. Bring a chair or blanket. There will also be live music and food trucks.
2023 Movie Line Up:
- June 23: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
- July 28: Grand Budapest Hotel
- August 25: Grease
14. Movies Under the Stars at Greenlawn Abbey
Movies Under the Stars in Greenlawn Avenue will take place on Friday nights and include food trucks! The movies are starting later this year to accommodate a new driveway!
2023 Movie Line Up:
- 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 Sematary
15. Movie Night at East Market
Movie Nights at East Market are free and start at dusk. Movies are shown outside in the Switch Yard.
The 2023 Movie Line Up:
- June 1: Lyle Lyle Crocodile
- June 15: Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
- June 22: Back to the Future
- June 20: Top Gun: Maverick
- July 6: Elf
- July 20: The Goonies
- July 27: The Sandlot
- August 3: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
- August 17: The Super Mario Bros. Movie
16. Community Outdoor Movie Nights in Grove City
These free outdoor movies will take place on Wednesday nights in July. Family-friendly activities begin at 7:30 PM and movies start at 8:00 PM. Movies are shown on a big screen behind Grove City Church of the Nazarene.
2023 Movie Line Up:
- June 22: Luca
- June 29: Tom and Jerry (2021)
- July 6: Encanto
- July 13: Space Jam, A New Legacy
- July 20: Spider-Man No Way Home
- July 27: Sing 2
17. Movie Nights at the Metro Parks
There will be 6 outdoor movies at the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks this summer! Bring a chair or a blanket. Movies start at dark!
2023 dates and locations are as follows:
- Friday, July 28: Lightyear at Blacklick Woods Golf Course
- Friday, August 11: Zootopia at Sharon Woods
- Friday, August 25: Happy Gilmore at Blacklick Woods Golf Course
- Saturday, September 9: Top Gun: Maverick at Blendon Woods
- Saturday, September 16: Pan’s Labyrinth at Glacier Ridge
- Saturday, September 23: Rise of Guru at Highbanks
***** These have not released info for 2023 yet:
Drive-In Summer Movies at CrossRoads Baptist Church
Movies will begin 30 minutes after sunset, therefore the start times will vary. Rain dates will be for one week after scheduled date. Admission and popcorn are free!
Upcoming Movie Line up for 2022:
- June 10 – Babe
- June 24 – Homeward Bound
- July 15 – Sarah’s Choice
- July 29 – Ultimate Gift
- August 12 – Breakthrough
- August 26 – Courageous
- September 9 – Home Run
- September 23 – Lion, Witch & Wardrobe
Movies in the Park in Canal Winchester
Two free movies are scheduled in Hanners Park for 2022. Free snacks and activities will be availalbe at 8:00 PM and the movie will start at approximately 9:00 PM. Watch from your vehicle or bring a chair or blanket to watch from the lawn.
2022 Movie Dates:
- July 8: The Little Rascals (1994)
- August 12: TBD
–>> Need more to do this summer? Sign up for a Summer Reading Program or try out one of these 25 Fun Outdoor Activities in Columbus for the Whole Family! <<– Or take a look at this list of over 100 fun things to do in Columbus!
Share this post with your friends!