Guys, cheap movie tickets are your solution to a hot summer. Here’s why: your kids are going to need a break from the sun. Plus, movie theaters have THE best air conditioning and popcorn. Luckily, tons of theaters have programs for kids and offer cheap summer movies throughout 2022. Check out all the ones we’ve found!
If you’re more of a Netflix or Disney+ kinda of family, don’t miss out on the streaming services offering free access. I have to note that as of writing this article, the prices and offerings are current. Because of this crazy times we live in, double-check with your local theaters to see if they’re participating due to COVID-19 restrictions.
1. AMC Theaters offers cheap movie tickets — only $5 — during Fan Faves viewings.
via NY Daily News
For just $5, you can see a popular movie through AMC’s Fan Faves series. No word on if the selection changes throughout the year, but for $5 it’s a pretty cheap movie ticket for kids.
Ticket Price: $5 + tax
Showtimes: check with your local AMC theater
Movies playing:
- Sing 2
- Hop
If you have kids with autism or any sensory disorder, AMC has partnered with the Autism Society to show select movies with lowered sounds and brighter screens through its Sensory Friendly Films program. Showtimes vary by theater.
Sensory Movie Days:
- Second and fourth Saturday (family friendly)
- Wednesday evenings (mature audiences)
- Sonic 2
- The Bad Guys
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
2. Don’t miss out on Cinemark Theatres’ cheap movie tickets for kids — only $1.50 a ticket.
via The Cabin
The Summer Movie Clubhouse for 2022 is coming back to Cinemark Theatres. For eight weeks from June to August, you can eat hot popcorn and enjoy entertaining movies at your local Cinemark theater. The cheap movie tickets are only $1.50 each, which is super awesome compared to the regular ticket costs.
In 2021, Cinemark Theatres offered Summer Movie Clubhouse. We expect Cinemark to run this promotion again, and we’ll be on the lookout for more details.
3. Enjoy cheap movie tickets for kids for only $1 at Harkins Theatres.
For just $1 per movie, kids and adults can take in eight movies for eight weeks. Harkins Theatres starts their annual Summer Movie Fun program in June. These special showings are only available in the morning, and tickets can only be purchased at the theater. Kids two years old and younger are free!
Ticket Price: $1+ tax each
Showtimes: 9:45 a.m.
Days: varies by Harkins Theatres location
Movies playing:
- Boss Baby 2: Family Business
- Space Jam
- The Addams Family 2
- Sing 2
- Tom & Jerry
- Clifford: The Big Red Dog
- The Croods: A New Age
- Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
4. Watch $2 summer movies for kids every Wednesday at Classic Cinemas.
via Facebook
If your kids are early risers, doors open at 9 a.m. for the Wednesday Morning Movie Series at Classic Cinemas. The movie starts at 10 a.m., so this gives them an hour before showtime to hang out and participate in games and activities. If you have a group of 20 or more, you can even make a reservation! Classic Cinemas is one of many movie theaters dedicating an auditorium to sensory-friendly films.
Ticket Price: $2
Showtimes: 10 a.m.
Days: Wednesdays
Movies playing:
- Space Jam: A New Legacy
- The Addams Family 2
- Scoob!
- PAW Patrol: The Movie
- Tom & Jerry
- Clifford the Big Red Dog
- The Boss Baby: Family Business
- Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
- Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
- Sing 2
5. Buy cheap movie tickets for $5 and $6 through Marcus Theatres’ SuperSaver Program.
via Facebook
Marcus Theatres’ SuperSaver Program has discounted rates on Tuesdays and during select times every day for Early Bird showings. On Tuesdays, select flicks are $5 each, and you can munch on candy and hot dogs for $2 each. Magical Movie Rewards Members get a free complimentary-size popcorn.
And, there’s nothing like an old-fashioned matinee. Marcus’ Early Bird program lets you check out any movie before 11 a.m. for only $6. On one Saturday of every month at 10:30 a.m., Marcus runs sensory-specific films through their Reel Movies for Reel Needs program.
Ticket Price: $5 and $6
Showtimes: check with your local Marcus Cinema
6. Get a cheap movie ticket pass for $10 and watch 10 movies at Megaplex Theatres.
via Twitter
For just $10, you and your family can catch some family favorites through Megaplex Theatres’ 2022 Kids Summer Movie series. The movie pass is $10 — good for kids and adults — and gives you access to 10 movies for 10 weeks at 10 a.m. With this cheap movie ticket deal, you’ll save 33%, and one guest can go to up to ten different movies. Additional tickets to individual movies are just $1.50 each.
Simply buy the pass online, link it to your MyMegaRewards account, and book your reserved seats.
Ticket Price: $10 for the all-summer pass or $1.50 each
Showtimes: 10 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. for sensory friendly
Movies playing:
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines
- Vivo
- Clifford The Big Red Dog
- Paw Patrol: The Movie
- Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
- Space Jam: A New Legacy
- The Addams Family 2
- The Boss Baby: Family Business
- Sing 2
- Hotel Transylvania: Transformania
7. Watch free summer movies in 2022 Tuesday – Thursday at Phoenix Big Cinemas.
via Cinema Treasures
How about a free summer movie for kids and a kiddie meal? Well, Phoenix Theatres Entertainment has this magic duo starting in May 2022 at select theaters. All ages are welcome, and doors open at 9 a.m.
Ticket Price: Free
Showtimes: 10 a.m.
Days: Tuesday – Thursday
Movies playing:
- Smallfoot
- Trolls World Tour
- The Lego Movie
- The Lego Movie 2
- Teen Titans Go! To The Movies
- Despicable Me
- The Angry Birds Movie 2
- A Dog’s Way Home
- Goosebumps 2
- Abominable
- Pokemon Detective Pikachu
- Minions
- Dolittle
- Smurfs: The Lost Village
- Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie
- Clifford The Big Red Dog
- PAW Patrol: The Movie
- Sing
- The Secret Life of Pets
- How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse
- The Croods: New Age
8. View free summer movies through Kanopy Kids, thanks to your local library.
Yes, this isn’t a movie theater per se, but through select public libraries, colleges, and universities, Kanopy lets you stream ad-free movies. You just need a public library card, and you can view the flicks on a computer, phone, television, or tablet.
With over a thousand options, you and the kiddos can incorporate this on your list of fun things to do with kids. The Kanopy Kids division has storytime, television series, science/math videos, and of course, movies. For you tired parents, the standard Kanopy website lets you pick from documentaries, foreign films, and award-winning movies.
This idea is also great for road trips! Need some road trip hacks for kids? We gotcha covered.
