Families holding popcorn bags in front of an outdoor movie screen at a summer event in Chicago.

2025 Chicago Outdoor Movies to Park Your Family At

This roundup of Chicago outdoor movies will have you seeing stars - literally! Movies in the park under the night sky (or even a trip to the drive-in) is a family summer bucket list experience you'll want to repeat every year. Some venues even go the extra mile with pre-movie activities, food trucks and themed events, turning a simple summer movie night into a full-fledged family outing.

Note that some locations show a mix of movies with different ratings, some more kid-friendly than others, so be sure to check the schedule and movie descriptions to avoid surprises.

Have you attended any of these outdoor movies around Chicago and the suburbs with your kids? Please leave a review to share your experience and tips with other parents!

Our list of the best summer family movies has plenty of inspiration if you want to host an outdoor movie night in your own backyard, too.


 

Primary photo:   Aurora Downtown

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