Fun Events and Places to See Kid-Friendly Movies in Orlando
Get your kids out of the house with a fun movie night that the entire family can enjoy! We’re talking movies under the stars, dive-in-movies, and family-friendly movie events in Orlando.
Introduce the kids to classic favorites like The Goonies or The Princess Bride or keep it simple with beloved animated features. Sure, you might wind up watching Encanto for the seventh time this week, but at least you can do so with a crisp local beer or mocktail in hand.
In Case You’re Interested:
>> Super Fun Family Restaurants
>> Cheap Family Fun
>> Orlando Hotels with Waterparks
These kid friendly movie nights are some of the many affordable things to do with kids in Orlando.
Free Movie Nights in Orlando
Peanut Butter Matinee at the Enzian Theater
1300 Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751
This family film series at the Enzian Theater features a free kid-friendly movie on the fourth Sunday of each month. Movies are free for kids 12 and under, with a special kid’s menu available if you want to grab a bite. Adult tickets (age 13+) are available for $9 per person.
Popcorn Flicks in the Park
Central Park, Winter Park – 150 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789
Older kids may also enjoy Enzian’s Popcorn Flicks in the Park series, presented in partnership with the City of Winter Park. Films are free for all guests, but the film ratings and late showtimes are generally geared toward older kids and adults.
Movie Monday at À La Cart
609 Irvington Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Catch a free movie at À La Cart every Monday starting at 7pm or sunset, whichever comes later. Not all movies are family-friendly, so be sure to call ahead at (407) 776-4693 or check their website to find out what movies are on this month’s schedule. Past showings include family films like The Great Outdoors, The Little Mermaid, and The Goonies.
À La Cart has five semi-permanent mobile food vendors featuring everything from falafel to poke bowls, so young kids and adults alike can find something tasty to eat for dinner. Plus, adults can enjoy a rotating selection of 15 craft beers, cider, wine, and cold brew coffee. Seating is provided, but you are welcome to bring your own blankets and low-back chairs. Bring the whole family and enjoy a movie night under the market lights.
Movieola Lake Eola
512 East Washington Street, Orlando, FL 32801
Every so often, the city hosts a family-friendly flick in Orlando’s Lake Eola Park. This is not a consistent weekly or monthly event, but showings are typically hosted on Fridays at 7pm. Food trucks and childrens’ activities are available before the showing, and you are welcome to bring your own chairs, blankets, and movie snacks. Check Facebook for upcoming movies dates and showtimes.
Maitland Movies in the Park
1776 Independence Lane, Maitland, FL 32751
Catch a free monthly movie under the stars at Independence Square from October to March each year. See true classics like Star Wars: A New Hope, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Last Ark, and Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Enjoy free popcorn and themed activities before the movie begins. There are plenty of great restaurants nearby, so feel free to grab dinner to-go and unwind with the whole family at the end of a long week.
Avalon Park Movie Under the Stars
Town Park, 3651 Avalon Park E Blvd, Orlando, FL 32828
Settle in for a family-friendly movie under the stars in downtown Avalon Park. Bring your own blankets and chairs and enjoy great feature films to satisfy the entire family. This is a great spot to catch animated features, especially if you have young kids. Movies begin at sunset.
Cranes Roost Sunset Cinema
274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Catch a family-friendly flick at Cranes Roost Park’s Park Plaza, usually on the last Saturday of the month. Gates open at 6:15pm, and the movie begins at 7pm, so get there early and let the kids run off some energy before the sun goes down! Sunset Cinema is a seasonal offering, generally available from September to April.
Clermont Movies Under the Stars
330 3rd Street, Clermont, FL 34711
The city of Clermont hosts free movies for the entire family every spring at the pavilion at Clermont Waterfront Park. The event is typically hosted one Friday a month in March, April, and May, with showings at 7pm. Bring your own blankets and chairs, and kick things off with a fun family activity at 6:45pm.
Oviedo Movie in the Park
357 Center Lake Lane, Oviedo, FL 32765
Bring the whole family to a free outdoor movie at Oviedo’s Center Lake Park. Movies begin at dusk, with kid-friendly titles like Raya and The Last Dragon, Tom & Jerry, and Frozen 2. This is a seasonal event, typically hosted once a month. Plan to arrive early to secure your seats on the family lawn, as they are first come first serve. Feel free to enjoy the rest of the beautiful Center Lake Park before or after the movie. They have three large lawn spaces, a dog park, a beautiful Veterans Tribute, a splash pad, a playground, and Cantina (concession stand). Bring blankets and chairs, and feel free to bring your own snacks or grab dinner to-go from one of the restaurants near the lake.
Low Cost Family Movie Nights
Picture Show at Altamonte Springs
130 E. Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
This family-friendly theater in Altamonte shows movies for a jaw-dropping $1 per person. Movies are only 50 cents on Tuesdays! Stop by to see recently-released movies, including family favorites like Sing, Paw Patrol, and Clifford the Big Red Dog.
Plus, their Summer Movie Series features $1 showings of kids’ movies released over the past year. Stop by on Mondays and Wednesdays from select dates May through August to catch recent movies. See all upcoming dates and features here.
Dive-In Movies at Westmonte Recreation Center
624 Bills Lane, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Make a splash with a dive-in movie at Altamonte Springs’ Westmonte Recreation Center pool. Movies are free for members, or $5 for non-members. Kids 3 and under are always free! Bring your own Coast Guard-approved floaties and life jackets. The pool opens at 7:30 p.m. The movie begins at dark.
Movie Night at Leu Gardens
1920 North Forest Avenue Orlando, FL 32803
Spread out on the lawn at Leu Gardens for your next family movie night. This event is open to all ages, though the movie selections tend to favor older kids and adults. Think The Karate Kid or a James Bond movie. Outdoor movies are hosted on the first Friday of the month, and tickets must be purchased online in advance.
Bring your own blankets and chairs, and feel free to bring a picnic dinner and even a bottle of wine to enjoy during the movie. Best of all, the gardens open at 6pm, so you can wander the 50-acre gardens at leisure before the movie begins. Tickets are $8 per adult, $6 per child ages 4-17, and free for children 3 and under.
Regal Summer Movie Express
Host your next family movie night at Regal Theaters this summer, with $2 showings of favorite movies like Despicable Me or Pokemon Detective Pikachu on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. See all upcoming films, dates, and participating theaters here.
Regal Forever Favorites at Oviedo Mall
1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd, Oviedo, FL 32765
Get ready for a reel good time with Regal Forever Favorites! Enjoy cinematic classics on the big screen all over again (or for the first time) for just $5 on Wednesdays (at 6:30pm) and Thursdays (at 12pm).
Saturday Kid Flix at Oviedo Mall
1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd, Oviedo, FL 32765
Get ready for a reel good time! Join us every Saturday at Regal Oviedo Mall for Saturday Kid Flicks! Bring the whole family and enjoy your favorite films for just $2 per ticket. Showtimes at 11am and 11:30am.
Bonus Idea: Beach Nights at Aquatica
Saturday nights November 2 – December 21, 2024
Aquatica Orlando
5800 Water Play Way, Orlando, FL 32821
After a day of excitement, guests can grab a blanket and settle into a beach chair to enjoy their favorite family-friendly holiday movies on the beach— all included with park admission! Freshly popped popcorn, delectable food, snacks, hot chocolate and beverages will be available for purchase at Kura’s Beachside Panini.
- November 2 – Wonka
- November 9 – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
- November 16 – The Grinch (2018)
- November 23 – The Polar Express
- November 30 – Elf
- December 7 – The Santa Clause
- December 14 – The Polar Express
- December 21 – Elf
Family Movie Night Ideas
- In most cases, you should bring your own blankets, chairs, and anything else you need for a cozy movie night. Some locations do provide seating, but you’ll need to get there early to snag chairs!
- Always check to see if outside food and drinks are allowed. Some locations have food and drinks available for purchase, while others encourage you to bring your own food or movie snacks.
- If you can bring your own food, opt for themed movie treats! For example, you could bring Reese’s Pieces to a screening of E.T.
- Some locations have fun pre-show activities, like movie trivia, games, and crafts. Get there early to maximize the fun!
- Pack small fans, water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray for outdoor movies during the hot summer months.
Other Kid Friendly Ideas
If you want to switch things up and catch a live show instead of a movie, here are a few of our favorite local theaters. Catch a kid-friendly production, see a movie accompanied by live music, or let your kids go behind the scenes with hands-on theater courses.
Orlando Family Theater
1001 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803
This classic theater in Loch Haven Park hosts engaging live family theater performances that entertain kids and adults alike. Diversity and new perspectives are embraced and illuminated for the whole family to see. Current and upcoming shows include Giraffes Can’t Dance, Yo, Ho, Ho! Let’s Go!, and Belladonna: The Musical. Season shows include a take home goody bag full of crafts and other enrichment materials related to the show! Get there 30-45 minutes before curtain to take part in a text-based scavenger hunt and learn more about the show.
Bonus: Kids as young as 4 can join in the onstage fun with weeklong or season-long acting camps. Older kids can also go behind the scenes (literally) at the Design and Tech Academy and learn more about the roles of deck crew, lighting technicians, and more.
The Ritz Theater at Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center
201 Magnolia Ave, Sanford, FL 32771
See a classic movie, attend a concert, or catch a live theater performance at this Sanford entertainment venue. Keep an eye out for Free Family Movie Night offerings, in which movie goers are encouraged to bring canned food donations in exchange for a free family-friendly film. Reserve your seats online in advance so you don’t miss out! See all upcoming shows and movies here.
Kids from Grades 1-12 can also participate in Junior or Senior Musical Theater Camp every summer. Learn more here.
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Dr. Phillips Center has several kid-friendly productions and workshops to suit the whole family.
Enjoy shortened family-friendly ballet programs and touring productions featuring favorite children’s characters like Bluey, Disney Junior pals, or the Disney Princesses. If you want to catch a movie, see favorite films for older kids, like the Harry Potter film series, accompanied live in concert by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. See all upcoming shows and book tickets here.
Plus, Dr. Phillips Center has a variety of workshops and drama classes for all kids, from toddlers to teens.
Theater West End
115 W 1st St, Sanford, FL 32771
Let your kids go behind the scenes with Theater West End’s engaging summer camps and theater classes. Kids as young as 9 months old can get in on the fun with hands-on Mommy & Me musical workshops, while toddlers and elementary school kids can have fun at Preschool Song & Dance sessions, and drop-in Saturday workshops.
Plus, kids in grades K-12 can perform in a variety of musical productions, learn about scriptwriting and stage direction, and more in fun summer camps.
Orlando Shakes
812 E Rollins St, Orlando, FL 32803
The Orlando Shakespeare Company has a wonderful Children’s Series with shows adapted to suit younger audiences. Bring the whole family and enjoy 50-minute performances that are just right for shorter attention spans.
Plus, young kids can learn theater skills in workshops, summer camps, and youth and teen production classes.
Island H2O Water Park
3230 Inspiration Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34747
Over the summers, Island H2O Water Park hosts Dive-In Movies on Friday nights at 6:30pm. Past movies include Sing 2 and Onward. General admission will give you all-day access to the water park plus the movie or you can purchase a seasonal pass (seasonal passholders also get free popcorn on Dive-In nights!).
General admission is $59.99 plus tax for adults and $49.99 plus tax for kids ages 3 and up and LESS than 48″ tall, or for seniors ages 62 and up. Season passes are $109.99 per person (though keep an eye out for major sales!).
