Pass the popcorn, please. Nothing screams “summer” like hitting the town for a bit of nighttime cinema under the stars, stretched out on a freshly cut lawn or kicking back in the bed of a truck.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic date night activity — like a scene out of your favorite rom-com — or just want to hang out with friends, we’ve got you covered with nine outdoor movie theaters that will have you feeling like the star in your own motion picture.
- Location: 408 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, MO
- Open: Sat., Aug. 20 + Sat., Aug. 27
- Top showings: The Wedding Singer + Romeo and Juliet
- Ticket prices: Free + $5
- Additional features: Put on by Boulevard Brewing Co., bring your own chair to the back parking lot with seating starting at 8 p.m. and movies playing at sundown. All well-behaved furry friends are welcome, but leave your outside food + drink (except water) at home and purchase from the concession stand instead.
🎬 2022 Off the Wall Film Series: Cage Match
- Location: The Kansas City Public Library, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, MO
- Open: Fri., Aug. 19 + Fri., Sept. 16
- Top showings: Con Air + National Treasure OR Face/Off (TBD by audience vote and determined on Fri., Sept. 9)
- Ticket prices: Free
- Additional features: RSVP for a skyline cinema experience on the rooftop terrace, and BYO seating, blankets, food + non-alcoholic beverages. Doors to the library open at 8 p.m. and showings start at dusk around 8:45 p.m.
- Location: Meadowbrook Park (9101 Nall Ave., Prairie Village, KS) + Heritage Park (Overland Park, KS)
- Open: Fri., Aug. 19, Fri., Aug. 26, Fri., Sept. 30 + Fri., Oct. 28
- Top showings: Cars, A Bug’s Life, Zootopia + Monsters, Inc.
- Ticket prices: Free
- Additional features: Come out to the amphitheater and bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks with concessions available, including beer + wine. Gates open at 8 p.m. with movies starting a half hour later depending on the sunset.
Chill out in the pod with your squad at Tivoli Under the Stars. | Photo by @nelsonatkins
- Location: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak St., Kansas City, MO
- Open: Every Friday from Fri., Aug. 19-Fri., Sept. 23
- Top showings: The Big Lebowski, Black Panther, Jurassic Park + Moulin Rouge
- Ticket prices: $42 member pods + $58 non-member pods (pods are up to four people, or add a fifth if it’s a child under three years of age)
- Additional features: Screenings start 10-15 minutes after sunset. Pre-order a Graze Box of snacks for two people for $22, including the VanGogh To-Go, the Lion’s Lunchbox, Picasso’s Palate, or Benton’s Box — all with options like cheese, nuts, dried fruit, hummus, veggies, meats, salsas, and crackers.
- Location: 1320 N. 291 + Kentucky Rd., Independence, MO
- Open: Now-Wed., Aug. 24
- Top showings: Minions Rise of Gru, DC League of Super Pets, Thor: Love and Thunder + Top Gun: Maverick
- Ticket prices: $22 per car
- Additional features: Experience double features with all showings starting at 9 p.m. Drive up in your car and tune in with FM radio to listen, plus grab a bag of popcorn at the concession stand.
Movies in the Park is a great way to see classic films. | Photo by Wendy Delzeit + @cityoflenexa
- Location: Electric Park (9305 Loiret Blvd., Lenexa, KS) + Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park (87th St. Pkwy. and Lackman Rd., Lenexa, KS)
- Open: Fri., Aug. 26 + Fri., Sept. 16
- Top showings: The Karate Kid + Jumanji
- Ticket prices: Free
- Additional features: Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, family, and dogs to these free showings (with free parking) that start at dusk — around 8:30 p.m. for “The Karate Kid” in August at Electric Park, and around 7:45 p.m. for “Jumanji” in September at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.
- Location: Capitol Federal Sports Complex, 2200 Old State Hwy. 210, Liberty, MO
- Open: Fri., Aug. 26
- Top showings: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
- Ticket prices: Free
- Additional features: Grab lawn chairs + blankets — and even your picnic basket, sans alcohol — and take part in an outdoor movie experience that includes fun and games at 6 p.m. before the movie starts at dusk, around 8 p.m. Popcorn and water will be provided.
Stop by the Swap & Shop every Saturday and Sunday at Boulevard Drive-In. | Photo by @goroe
- Location: 1051 Merriam Ln., Kansas City, KS
- Open: Fri., Aug. 19 + Sat., Aug. 20 (new showings added each week)
- Top showings: Grease + Footloose
- Ticket prices: $15 for the double feature
- Additional features: Pull up at the world’s first 4K drive-in cinema experience, and watch from inside your vehicle using your car stereo for sound or bring a lawn chair. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. with the first movie showing an hour later. Be sure to bring cash only for tickets and snacks — children under 11 are free + dogs are welcome.
- Location: Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer Rd., Overland Park, KS
- Open: Sat., Aug. 27 + Sat., Sept. 17
- Top showings: Luca + Encanto
- Ticket prices: Free
- Additional features: Hang out on the lawn and partake in the pre-movie festivities, including cornhole, live music and treats like cotton candy + dip-and-dots from sponsor Goldfish Swim School. The September “Moo-vie Night” event will be dairy-themed, featuring ice cream treats from local dairy farmers and food from The Melt Truck, Burg & Barrel Food Truck, and Jack’s Kettle Corn. Movies begin at dusk, between 8-8:30 p.m.
