Outdoor movie nights around Indianapolis are one of the easier summer wins. Bring a blanket, feed everyone before the opening credits if necessary, and let the movie do the heavy lifting while the kids sprawl on the lawn, float in the pool or ask for snacks every 11 minutes.
This summer’s lineup includes free movie nights in Carmel, Westfield and Brownsburg, ticketed downtown screenings at White River State Park, poolside movies in Noblesville and the long-running Summer Nights Film Series at Newfields. For more warm-weather ideas, check out our guide to summer activities around Indianapolis and our list of free things to do in Indianapolis.
Free Outdoor Movies Near Indianapolis
Movies at Midtown Carmel Plaza
Location: Midtown Plaza, Carmel
Cost: Free
Typical showtimes: 6 p.m. Tuesdays, noon and 6 p.m. Thursdays, plus a Halloween screening
Movies at Midtown is one of the easiest outdoor movie options for families who like the idea of a movie night but also need space for kids to move. The plaza has open lawn seating, nearby restaurants and a splash pad close enough to be both helpful and mildly dangerous if no one packed dry clothes.
The series includes a kickoff screening on May 9, weekly movies from June through September and a final Halloween screening on Oct. 31. Guests can bring chairs, blankets and a picnic, and movie times are subject to change.
Movies at Midtown Lineup
- May 9: Brave
- June 2 and 4: Freaky Friday (1976)
- June 9 and 11: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
- June 16 and 18: The Princess and the Frog
- June 23 and 25: IF
- June 30 and July 2: Hamilton
- July 7 and 9: Zootopia
- July 14 and 16: Wicked
- July 21 and 23: Wicked: For Good
- July 28 and 30: A Minecraft Movie
- Aug. 4 and 6: Elemental
- Aug. 11 and 13: Abominable
- Aug. 18 and 20: Smurfs
- Aug. 25 and 27: PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie
- Sept. 1 and 3: Dora and the Lost City of Gold
- Sept. 8 and 10: Monsters Inc.
- Sept. 15 and 17: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants
- Sept. 22 and 24: Sonic the Hedgehog 3
- Oct. 31: Coco
Movies in the Plaza at Grand Junction Plaza
Location: Grand Junction Plaza, Westfield
Cost: Free
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Westfield’s Movies in the Plaza brings free family movies to the Great Lawn at Grand Junction Plaza. Seating is first come, first served, so bring blankets or lawn chairs and plan on a casual evening in downtown Westfield.
The lineup leans family-friendly, with one longer PG-13 pick near the end of the season. That one is probably better for older kids and tweens unless younger siblings are very committed to Star Wars.
Movies in the Plaza Lineup
- May 27: Lilo & Stitch (2025)
- June 10: Ghostbusters (1984)
- June 24: Kicking & Screaming
- July 22: Brave
- Aug. 15: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Brownsburg Movies in the Park
Location: Arbuckle Acres Park, Brownsburg
Cost: Free
Time: Activities begin at 6:30 p.m.; movies begin at 7 p.m.
Brownsburg Parks hosts free monthly Movies in the Park at Arbuckle Acres Park. Families can bring blankets, lawn chairs, snacks and drinks, and Brownsburg Parks provides popcorn. Each night includes pre-show activities before the movie starts.
The series is a good option for families who want a straightforward park movie night without downtown parking, ticketing or a complicated plan. The August movie is long, so consider bedtime stamina before committing to the whole thing.
Brownsburg Movies in the Park Lineup
- May 22: Cars
- June 26: How to Train Your Dragon
- July 31: Hook
- Aug. 28: Wicked
Greenwood Movies at Old City Park
Location: Old City Park, Greenwood
Cost: Free
Time: Movies begin when the sun goes down
Greenwood’s fall outdoor movie nights bring free family movies to the event lawn at Old City Park in September. Families can bring chairs and refreshments, then settle in for a movie once it gets dark.
Greenwood Movies at Old City Park Lineup
- Sept. 4: The Super Mario Galaxy
- Sept. 25: Zootopia
Ticketed Outdoor Movie Nights
Outdoor Movie Nights at White River State Park
Location: Celebration Plaza, 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis
Cost: $5 single ticket; $20 family pass for up to eight attendees
Time: Gates open at 6:30 p.m.; movies begin at 7:30 p.m.
White River State Park’s Outdoor Movie Nights pair family movies with the downtown skyline, which does a lot of the ambiance work for you. The series runs monthly from May through September at Celebration Plaza, with each screening opening with a Heartland Film-curated short before the feature film.
Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Families can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks, and snacks are available for purchase. Dogs are allowed but must stay on a leash, which is useful information for families whose dog believes every picnic blanket is personally for them.
Rain dates are scheduled for May 28, June 25, July 30, Aug. 27 and Sept. 24. Validated parking is available in the White River State Park underground garage while spaces last.
White River State Park Outdoor Movie Lineup
- May 21: The Incredibles
- June 18: National Treasure
- July 16: Shrek
- Aug. 20: Mamma Mia!
- Sept. 17: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Newfields Summer Nights Film Series
Location: Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis
Cost: $13 public adult ticket; $10 member adult ticket; $5 Access Pass ticket; children 5 and under are free with a required ticket
Time: Doors open at 7 p.m.; films begin at dusk
The National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series at Newfields is the most established outdoor movie option on this list, and it feels more like an evening event than a quick park movie. Families can bring blankets, chairs, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks, with concessions and alcoholic beverages available for purchase on site.
The lineup is broad, not strictly little-kid focused. Families with younger kids will want to scan the ratings before choosing a night, while parents of teens may find more options here than at the free park series.
In case of inclement weather, Newfields moves screenings to The Tobias Theater at 9 p.m. Films include closed captioning when available, and seating for attendees with limited mobility and assistive listening devices are available upon request.
Newfields Summer Nights Film Series Lineup
- June 4: Roman Holiday
- June 5: Troop Beverly Hills
- June 12: Some Like It Hot
- June 19: Dreamgirls
- June 20: Sinners
- July 2: Hamilton
- July 3: Jaws
- July 10: A League of Their Own
- July 17: Cabaret
- July 24 and 25: Indy Shorts International Film Festival Summer Nights Screenings
- July 31: Selena
- Aug. 6: Top Hat
- Aug. 7: The Fifth Element
- Aug. 14: Stage Fright
- Aug. 15: Om Shanti Om
- Aug. 21: Black Panther
- Aug. 28: My Neighbor Totoro
- Aug. 29: The Princess Bride
Flix and Floats at Forest Park Aquatic Center
Location: Forest Park Aquatic Center, 1077 Cicero Road, Noblesville
Cost: $5 for movie-only admission; day pass guests pay an additional $5 to stay for the movie
Time: Most movies begin at 8 p.m.; Finding Dory begins at 4 p.m.
Forest Park Aquatic Center’s Flix and Floats series is the outdoor movie option for kids who would rather watch from the water. Families can swim, float or hang out poolside during select movie nights in Noblesville.
The season includes a Summer Bash Foam Party on June 6 before the first movie, plus a July 2 event paired with a live performance from Jai Baker Band. This is a good one for families who want the movie to be only part of the outing, not the entire plan.
Flix and Floats Lineup
- June 6: Zootopia 2
- June 21: Finding Dory
- July 2: TBA
- July 11: The Parent Trap
- Aug. 8: Wonder
- Aug. 29: Lilo & Stitch (Animated)
Drive-In Theaters Near Indianapolis
Families looking for a more flexible outdoor movie night can also go the old-fashioned route: a drive-in theater. These are not one-night park movie events, but they give families a way to watch a movie under the stars without hauling chairs, blankets and half the garage across a lawn.
Check each theater’s current movie schedule before heading out, since showtimes and double features change throughout the season.
- Tibbs Drive-In Theatre | 480 S. Tibbs Ave., Indianapolis
- Skyline Drive-In Theatre | 3986 E. Michigan Road, Shelbyville
- Centerbrook Drive-In | 6735 State Road 67 N., Martinsville
- M.E.L.S. at the Starlight Drive-In | 8721 N. State Road 39, Mechanicsburg
Good to Know Before You Go
- Check the official source before leaving. Outdoor movie schedules can change because of weather, construction, private events or licensing updates.
- Bring your own seating. Most free park and plaza screenings use lawn seating, so blankets and low chairs are the safest bet.
- Look at ratings and runtimes. Outdoor movie lineups often mix preschool-friendly picks with older-kid and teen movies.
- Pack for the actual outdoors. Bug spray, sunscreen, water bottles and a backup sweatshirt can save the night.
- Have a bathroom plan. This matters more than anyone wants it to, especially when the movie runs past bedtime.
For more summer ideas, browse our full guide to things to do in Indianapolis with kids and our roundup of activities for five dollars or less around Indianapolis.
