Where to See Movies Outside this Summer

As the Missouri days get longer and warmer, there’s no better way to celebrate summer than with a movie night. Across the state, film-lovers can catch unique screenings at drive-ins, on rooftops, and in swimming pools. Whether you’re visiting a local hotspot or road-tripping down Route 66, there’s a place to enjoy cinema under the stars. Check out our list of places to see outdoor movies this summer!

St. Louis

Movies on the Plaza – St. Louis, MO.
Back for its 16th season, Movies on the Plaza will run monthly screenings on Maryland Plaza in the Central West End.

Downtown Summer Nights – St. Louis, MO.
Kick back with good food, cold drinks, and cult-classic films at Kiener Plaza on Thursday nights.

Route 66 Outdoor Movie Series – Eureka/Pacific/Wildwood, MO.
A nod to its own history, The Eureka Parks and Recreation department will present Pixar’s Cars, Cars 2, and Cars 3 across the month of August

Movies in the Park & Dive & Jive Movie at the Pool – Manchester, MO.
The City of Manchester will host a family-friendly movie screening at Schroeder Park in June, and another at the Manchester Aquatic center in July.

Dive-In Movies at Blanchette Aquatic Facility – St. Charles, MO.
Family-friendly movies will screen at Blanchette Aquatic Facility across two weekends in July

Family Movie Night Series – Ellisville, MO.
The Ellisville Parks Department will present family films at Bluebird Park in May and August.

Movies in the Park – Lake St. Louis, MO.
Catch free, family-friendly favorites at Boulevard Park Amphitheater

Kansas City

Rooftop Cinema Club – Kansas City, MO.
Enjoy cult-classic films with the Kansas City skyline as your backdrop. Rooftop Cinema hosts daily screenings, all season long.

Backyard Movie Series at Screenland Armour – Kansas City, MO.
As Kansas City’s premier indie theater, Screenland Armour offers unique backyard screenings on Saturday nights.

Movie Night at Starlight Theater – Kansas City, MO.
Catch classic family-favorites at the beloved Starlight Theater in June and July

Outdoor Movies in the Park at Zona Rosa – Kansas City, MO.
Family-friendly, free movies will screen monthly in Central Park at Zona Rosa.

Movies in the Park & Dive-In Movies – Blue Springs, MO.
Bring the whole family to enjoy free movies at Rotary Park, or plan a night-out for the 21+ screening of Jaws at the CRCRC Waterpark

Dive-In Movies at Summit Waves – Lee’s Summit, MO.
Cool off with dive-in screenings of Frozen and Frozen 2 in June and July.

Central Missouri

B&B Moberly Five and Drive – Moberly, MO.
Enjoy a modern twist on a retro experience at B&B Moberly Five and Drive

Lakeside Summer Movie Series – Ashland, MO.
Catch family-friendly films every weekend at Lakeside

Movies in the Park – Columbia, MO.
A long-time favorite, Columbia’s “Movies in the Park” is complete with concessions, food trucks, and free family films from June-September

Stars Under the Stars – Jefferson City, MO.
Bring your lawn chairs to the steps of the Capitol for free family movies all summer

Southeast Missouri

Rock N’ Roll Drive-In Theater – Cape Girardeau, MO.
Recently opened in 2020, Rock N’ Roll Drive-In shows both cult classics and new releases all season

Starlite Drive-In – Cadet, MO.
Immerse yourself in the old-school charm of Starlite Drive-In.

Southwest Missouri

66 Drive-In Theater – Carthage, MO.
Famously an inspiration for Pixar’s Cars, 66 Drive-In screens a variety of films from April-September

Sunset Drive-In Theater – Aurora, MO.
Open since 1951, Sunset Drive-In mixes vintage charm with the newest movie releases

Barco Drive-In Theater – Lamar, MO.
A community favorite, Barco Drive-In is screening double features all season long.

Movies in the Park – Springfield, MO.
Enjoy free monthly movies at three different locations across Springfield.

Movies in the Park – Nixa, MO.
Bring the family to McCauley Park to see a movie under the stars from June-September

Movie Nights @ The Amp – Republic, MO
The Amp at J.R. Martin Park is playing family-favorites all summer. Each ticket purchase includes a free popcorn!

This article was written by Missouri Film Office intern Justine Favazza, recent graduate from the University of Missouri- Columbia.