Cheap Movie Tickets: How to See Movies for $3 of Less (2026)

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Get ready for cheap summer movies! We have the scoop on several theaters offering summer programs in 2026. We’re talking $3 movies or less at Cinemark Theatres, Marcus Theatres, Classic Cinemas, Regal Cinemas, Megaplex Theatres, and more. Plus, we have the scoop on what you can expect from AMC Theatres.

Of course, if you’re more of a Netflix or Disney+ kinda family, you can always check out streaming services that offer free access .

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Cheap Summer Movies in 2026

All times are local. Movie ticket prices don't include any potential tax. Local participation may vary.

Cheap Summer Movies in 2026

Enjoy free movie days at Phoenix Theatres.

How about a free summer movie for kids and a kiddie meal? Phoenix Theatres Entertainment is offering free summer movies at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from June 2 - Aug. 6, 2026, at select theaters. Start and end dates vary between locations (Danville 8, Atoka 11, and Empire Theatres 8 start May 26, while Marlow 6 doesn't start until June 23). All ages are welcome, and doors open at 9 a.m.

Ticket Price: Free
Showtime: 10 a.m.
Days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday

Movies in 2026:

Note these are the dates for Lennox 20, Savoy 16, Chartiers Valley 14, Main Gate 10, The Forge 5, and Lake Worth 8

June 2 - 4: The Bad Guys/Sing
June 9 - 11: The Bad Guys 2/Sing 2
June 16 - 18: Trolls/The Secret Life of Pets
June 23 - 25: Trolls Band Together/The Secret Life of Pets 2
June 30 - July 2: Trolls World Tour/Hop
July 7 - 9: The Wild Robot/Migration
July 14 - 16: The Croods/Dr. Suess' The Lorax
July 21 - 23: The Boss Baby/Abominable
July 28 - 30: Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie/Over The Hedge
Aug. 4 - 6: Dog Man/Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken

Regal Summer Movie Express $1 movies June 1 - Aug. 13

Starting June 1, your family can enjoy movies for $1 per person at Regal Cinemas Summer Movie Express every Monday through Thursday (11 a.m.) from June 1 through Aug. 13. If you join the free Regal Crown Club, you can save 50% on popcorn on Tuesdays. Plus, they offer $3 off a Snack Pack that includes a snack-sized popcorn, junior-sized drink, and fruit snacks and/or Dippin' Dots ice cream.

Ticket Price: $1
Showtimes: 11 a.m. (local)
Days: Monday through Thursday

Movies in 2026:

June 1 - 4: Sing/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
June 8 - 11: Kung Fu Panda 4/David
June 15 - 18: KPop Demon Hunters Sing-Along/The Wild Robot
July 22 - 25: The Bad Guys 2/The Garfield Movie
June 29 - July 2: A Minecraft Movie/Sonic the Hedgehog 2
July 6 - 9: How to Train Your Dragon/Sonic the Hedgehog 3
July 13 - 16: To Be Announced TBA /Scoob!
July 20 - 23: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants/Animal Farm
July 27 - 30: Paddington in Peru/Dog Man
Aug. 3 - 6: Charlie the Wonderdog/Despicable Me 4
Aug. 10 - 13: The Sandlot/Muppets: Treasure Island

Harkins Theatres offers movie tickets for $1.

For just $1 per movie, kids and adults can take in eight movies for eight weeks during Harkins Theatres Summer Movie Fun program. These special showings from June through July are only available at 9:45 a.m. Here's this year's movie schedule:

Ticket Price: $1
Showtime: 9:45 a.m. (local)
Days: Monday through Friday

Movies in 2026:

June 1 - 5: Dog Man
June 8 - 12: A Minecraft Movie
June 15 - 19: KPop Demon Hunters
June 22 - 26: How to Train Your Dragon
June 29 - July 3: The Bad Guys 2
July 6 - 10: Mystery Movie
July 13 - 17: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
July 20 - 24: Paddington in Peru

Cinemark Theatres has cheap movie tickets for kids — only $1.75 each.

The Summer Movie Clubhouse at Cinemark Theatres is returning this year from June - August for 10 weeks. Tickets are only $1.75, plus you can get $1 off popcorn and drink combos and kids’ snack packs.

Ticket Price: $1.75
Showtime: 9:30 a.m.
Days: Wednesday (some locations may offer different days)

Movies in 2026:

June 1 - 4: Paddington (2015)
June 9 - 12: Sonic the Hedgehog (2020)
June 15 - 18: KPOP Demon Hunters Sing-Along (2025)
June 22 - 25: Shrek Forever After
June 29 - July 2: The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants
July 6 - 9: A Minecraft Movie
July 13 - 16: Dog Man
July 20 - 23: How to Train Your Dragon
July 27 - 30: The Bad Guys 2
Aug. 3 - 6: Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie

Classic Cinemas has $2 summer movies for kids every Wednesday.

Doors open at 9 a.m. (entertainment and games) with showtime at 10 a.m. for the Classic Cinemas Wednesday Morning Movie Series that runs from June 3 - Aug. 6. For groups of 20 or more, reservations are available. However, they require a kiddie combo (popcorn, kiddie drink or juice, and a fruit snack for $8.25). Classic Cinemas also dedicates an auditorium to sensory-friendly films on Wednesday mornings.

Ticket Price: $2
Showtime: 10 a.m.
Days: Wednesday

Movies in 2026:

June 3: How to Train Your Dragon
June 10: Smurfs
June 17: Kpop Demon Hunters
June 24: Dog Man
July 8: The Bad Guys 2
July 15: The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants
July 22: Paddington in Peru
July 29: A Minecraft Movie
Aug. 6: Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie

Enjoy $2 tickets to the Epic Theatres Wednesday Summer Kids Series this summer.

In 2026, tickets for kids are only $2 for the Summer Kids Series at Epic Theatres. The event starts on June 3 and runs through Aug. 5.

Ticket Price: $2 for kids
Showtime: 10 a.m.
Days: Wednesdays

Movies in 2026:

June 3: King of Kings
June 10: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
June 17: Kpop Demon Hunters Sing-Along (2025)
June 24: David
July 1: The Bad Guys 2
July 8: A Minecraft Movie
July 15: Smurfs
July 29: Kung Fu Panda
Aug. 5: How to Train Your Dragon

Megaplex Theatres offers a cheap movie ticket pass to see 10 movies for $25 ($2.50 per movie).

Megaplex Theaters is again offering their Megaplex Theatres’ Kids Summer Movie series this year. You must have an active MyMegaRewards account to participate in this summer movie program (it's free to join!).

The $25 movie pass works for kids and adults — and gives you access to 10 movies for 10 weeks at 10 a.m. Additional tickets to individual movies will be available at an extra cost of $2.50 each.

Ticket Price: $25 (allows you to see all 10 movies)
Showtime: Varies
Days: Monday through Friday

Movies in 2026:

May 25 - June 10: The Secret Life of Pets
June 1 - June 17: Trolls
June 8 - 24: How to Train Your Dragon
June 15 - July 1: Dog Man
June 22 - July 8: Sing
June 29 - 15: C urious George
July 6 - 22: The Bad Guys 2
July 13 - 29: Gabby's Dollhouse
July 20 - Aug. 5: Kung Fu Panda 4
July 27 - Aug. 12: Shrek 2

AMC Summer Movie Camp tickets are $3 all season long.

For just $3, every Monday and Wednesday through Aug. 12, 2026, you can see popular movies with AMC Theatres Summer Movie Camp at participating theaters.

Ticket Price: $3
Showtimes: Varies
Days: Monday and Wednesday

Movies in 2026:

June 22 and 24: Paddington in Peru
June 29 and July 1: David
July 6 and 8: How to Train Your Dragon
July 13 and 15: The Lego Movie
July 20 and 22: Sonic The Hedgehog 3
July 27 and 29: The Bad Guys 2
Aug. 3 and 5: The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants
Aug. 10 and 12: Muppet Treasure Island

AMC offers Sensory Friendly Films for children on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, and on Wednesday evenings for mature audiences. Here is a full list of participating theaters. Showtimes vary by theater.

Buy cheap movie tickets for $3 at Marcus Theatres’ Kids Dream Summer Film Series.

Marcus Theatres is bringing back their $3 Kids Movie Magic this June, plus $3.50 popcorn and drink specials. The event will wrap up on Aug. 13.

Ticket Price: $3 (per person, per movie) or $15 (per person) for the Marcus Kids Dream Passport (allows you to see all 10 movies)
Showtime: Varies
Days: Sunday - Thursday in June - July

Movies in 2026: