See a movie under the stars this summer! Toronto has many options for free outdoor movies for the family where you can catch a recent release or second-run animated feature, documentary, or classic family film.
Movies with an asterisk (*) are top picks for kids, though some movies are more appropriate for older children.
Note that there are also many free and low-cost indoor movies for kids and families happening this summer, like moon-themed movies at the Aga Khan Museum. See our online calendar for more.
A Few Tips
Bring snacks, drinks, and blankets, pillows, and lawn chairs. All movies are rated G or PG unless indicated otherwise. Do check the events’ websites before heading out — schedules may be revised after publication or rain dates in effect!
West End Movies
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show: Bell Manor Park
ETOBICOKE • A new location for this group that shows outdoor films in Christie Pits, Corktown Commons, and Fort York. Snacks are for sale beginning at 6 pm. A short film is shown before each feature. Event website.
Location: Bell Manor Park, 1 Bayside Lane, Etobicoke
Schedule: Select Thursdays in August @ sundown (approximately 9 pm)
*August 8 – Ratatouille
August 15 – You’ve Got Mail
*August 22 – The Kid (1921 Charlie Chaplin film)
Sorauren Outdoor Movies in the Square
RONCESVALLES • Family-friendly films are shown once a month in summer in Sorauren Park. The Kids’ Night event in September includes pre-show games and activities beginning at 4 pm. Event website.
Location: Sorauren Park, 289 Sorauren Ave., Toronto
Schedule: Every fourth Saturday, June 22–September 28
*June 22 @ 9 pm – Back To the Future
July 27 @ 8:45 pm – Casablanca
August 24 @ 8 pm – Crazy for Swayze Double Bill: Dirty Dancing and Ghost
*September 28 @ 7:15 pm – Kids’ Night (& Kids at Heart): The Iron Giant
Movie Night in Liberty Village Park
LIBERTY VILLAGE • The Liberty Village BIA hosts its 8th annual outdoor movie event in 2019, with free, family-friendly movies on one Friday per month in June, July, and August. Event website.
Location: 70 East Liberty St.
Schedule: Monthly on Fridays
*June 21 @ 8:30 pm– Captain Marvel
*July 19 @ 8:30 pm – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
*August 23 @ 8 pm – Mary Poppins Returns
Movie Night in the Park
TRINITY-BELLWOODS • Grab some food at the farmer’s market (3–7 pm) in the northwest corner of the park, then head down to the “dog bowl” in the centre of the park to see a family-friendly film. Bike valet! Event website.
Location: Trinity-Bellwoods Park, Crawford St. and Queen St. W.
Schedule: Select Tuesdays @ 9 pm
*June 18 – Land Before Time
*July 16 – Ratatouille
August 13 – In the Mood for Love
Christie Pits Film Festival
CHRISTIE PITS • The movies this year aren’t particularly kid-friendly—a black-and-white Cary Grant film, the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense & Sensibility, The Odd Couple... But if you’re game anyway, check out the full schedule here. Movies are shown on an inflatable screen with lawn seating. Food is available beginning at 6 pm.
Location: Christie Pits Park, 750 Bloor St. W., Toronto
Schedule: Sundays, June 30–August 25 @ sundown
East End Movies
Under the Stars: Movies in the Park
REGENT PARK • Nearly all of the selections in the Regent Park Film Festival’s outdoor movie series are kid-friendly, rated either G or PG. The movies are beside the Taste of Regent Park Market, which opens at 5 pm. Event website.
Location: Regent Park (big park), 620 Dundas St. E., Toronto
Schedule: Weekly on Wednesdays, July 10–August 14 @ 7 pm
*July 10 – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
July 17 – Meditation Park
July 24 – Our People Will Be Healed (documentary)
*July 31 – Life of Pi
August 7 – Your Name (in Japanese, with subtitles)
*August 14 – Black Panther
Movie Nights in the Park
THE BEACH • For 2019, the Beach Village BIA presents nine summer movies on the lawn at Kew Gardens park and Ivan Forrest park (location alternates each week). All films are rated G or PG though some have adult themes. Free popcorn! Event website.
Location: Kew Gardens (Queen and Lee) and Ivan Forrest Gardens (Queen and Glen Manor Dr.)
When: Wednesdays, July 3–August 28 @ dusk
*July 3 @ Kew Gardens– Black Panther
July 10 @ Ivan Forrest – Bohemian Rhapsody
*July 17 @ Kew Gardens – Mary Poppins Returns
*July 24 @ Ivan Forrest – Beetlejuice
*July 31 @ Kew Gardens — Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
August 7 @ Ivan Forrest – The Sandlot
*August 14 @ Kew Gardens – Pitch Perfect 3
August 21 @ Ivan Forrest – First Man
August 28 @ Kew Gardens– Crazy Rich Asians
Toronto Outdoor Picture Show: Corktown Common
CORKTOWN • Head to the lawn at the beautiful Corktown Common Park with a great view of downtown as the sun sets, for PG films, including E.T. Snacks are available starting at 7 pm. A short film is shown before each feature. Event website.
Location: Corktown Common Park, 155 Bayview Ave., Toronto
Schedule: Select Thursdays @ 9 pm
*July 4 – E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
July 11 – The Hunt for the Wilderpeople
July 18 – Paper Moon (1973)
July 25 – Some Like It Hot (1959)
Downtown Toronto Movies
Movies in Old Town Toronto
Two free movies are showing this summer in Old Town Toronto. The first, on June 27, is a not-so-family-friendly silent film with jazz piano accompaniment at St. James Cathedral, but the new Spider-man movie is showing in July. Bring a blanket for lawn seating. Event website.
Location: Parliament Square Park, 44 Parliament St.
Schedule:
*Thursday, July 25 @ 9 pm – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
City Cinema
YONGE-DUNDAS SQUARE • This summer’s movie series is all about comedy, with films starring Eugene Levy, John Candy, Mike Meyers, and others. Before each movie, there will be a live performance from The Second City! Event website.
Location: Yonge-Dundas Square, 1 Dundas St. E.
Schedule: Tuesdays, July 2–August 27 @ 8 pm
July 2 – Date Night
July 9 – Planes, Trains and Automobiles
July 16 – A Mighty Wind
*July 23 – Up
July 30 – Sisters (14A)
August 6 – Cool Runnings
*August 13 – Mean Girls
*August 20 – Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
August 27 – Best In Show
North Toronto Movies
Cultura Festival
NORTH YORK • On Friday nights in July, this free outdoor festival celebrates cultural diversity through music, buskers, food, and four nights of movie screenings under the stars. Each date features one musical performance, one busker, and one animated family-friendly movie. Event website.
Location: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St., North York
When: Select Fridays in July @ 9:30
*July 5 – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
*July 12 – The Breadwinner
*July 19 – Ralph Breaks the Internet
*July 26 – Incredibles 2
Friday Night Lights
Downsview Park hosts its always-family-friendly summer movie lineup at the park’s outdoor running track and football field. BYO lawn chair and arrive early to enter a raffle. Event website.
Where: Downsview Park Football Field, 79 Carl Hall Rd., North York
When: Select Fridays @ dusk (approximately 9 pm)
*July 5 – Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
*July 26 – How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
*August 9 – A Dog’s Journey
*August 30 – Incredibles 2
*September 6 – Captain Marvel
Films on Shortt
FAIRBANK VILLAGE • All the movies are family friendly at this event presented by the Fairbank Village BIA. BYO blanket or chair and enjoy free popcorn. Event website.
Where: Shortt St. at Eglinton Ave. W. (one block west of Dufferin St.), Toronto
When: Select Fridays May–September @ 9 pm
*May 17 – Bumblebee
*June 14 – Aquaman
*July 19 – Avengers: Infinity War
*August 23 – Captain Marvel
*September 13 – Avengers: Endgame (@ 8:30 pm)
Movies Beyond Toronto
Nearly every town and city in the GTA has its own outdoor movie nights in summer! Some take place weekly, others are more sporadic.
Peel Region
MISSISSAUGA • Movie Nights in Celebration Square is every Thursday (except July 25). Bring your own blankets and snacks for a free family-friendly movie; pre-show live events take place 30 minutes before the show. May 23–August 29 @ 6 pm or 8 pm
BRAMPTON • Doubleheader screenings of family-friendly, box-office hits are shown at weekly Saturday Night Movies in Garden Square throughout the summer. Pre-movie activities like costumed character meet-and-greets, performances, and giveaways begin at 6 pm. The seating area is pavement, so bring a lawn chair. June 29–August 21 @ 7 pm and 9 pm
Halton Region
BURLINGTON • Weekly Movies Under the Stars will be shown at various parks around Burlington this summer. All selections are kid-friendly, including, Coco, Annie, and The Incredibles. July 4–August 15
OAKVILLE • During the Summertime Series, head to Towne Square on Thursday evenings for weekly movies including Dumbo, Wonder, and Mary Poppins Returns. June 13–August 29
Durham Region
AJAX • Two outdoor family films will be shown at Movies in the Park this summer: Aquaman in July and Jumanji in August. BYO chairs, blankets, and bug spray. July 19 and August 16 at 8 pm
WHITBY • See four kid-friendly movies on the lawn in Civic Park for Movies in the Park. Bring your own snacks, blankets, and chairs. July 12, 26 and August 9, 23
York Region
NEWMARKET • Movie selections haven’t been announced yet for the Moonlight Movies event at Riverwalk Commons. Films are shown on an inflatable screen. August; dates TBD
RICHMOND HILL • Every Wednesday in August, the moon goes down the movie screen goes up for Moonlight Movies — all family-friendly films, at various locations in Richmond Hill. August 7–28
STOUFFVILLE • Movies in the Park brings family favourites like Brave, Aladdin, and Monsters Inc. to Stouffville Memorial Park on select dates in summer. June 21, July 19 and 26, August 16 and 23
