Free Summer Movies in Fairfax, Virginia

If you want to enjoy a fun, big-screen movie experience in Fairfax, Virginia this summer, there are lots of opportunities do so for free (or almost free). Take a look at these summer movie opportunities, all of which cost $2 or less per moviegoer.

REGAL SUMMER MOVIE EXPRESS

Families with younger kids will probably appreciate the early show times of Regal's Summer Movie Express. This summer at Regal Cinemas, on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 AM, you can see select G and PG movies for only $1. Fairfax has a Regal at Fairfax Towne Center on 4110 West Ox Road.

Enjoy the following showings for a mere $1 per moviegoer. Two movies are shown each week on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Choose one of the two movies each week, or go both days and see both:

7/5-7/6: Despicable Me / How to Train Your Dragon
7/12-7/13: Barnyard / Chronicles of Narnia
7/19-7/20: Marmaduke / Yogi Bear
7/26-7/27: Ramona & Beezus / Shrek Forever After
8/2-8/3: Alpha and Omega / Nanny McPhee Returns
8/9-8/10: Karate Kid / Tale of Despereaux
8/16-8/17: Diary of a Wimpy Kid / Open Season 3
8/23-8/24: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs / Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

UNIVERSITY MALL THEATERS SUMMER MOVIE CAMP

University Mall Theaters at 10659 Braddock Road shows second-run films, with many great children's and family movies, for just $2 per person on Tuesdays throughout the year. In addition, in the summer (from June 20 - September 2) they offer a "summer movie camp" with 10 AM showings of select titles. Summer camp movies are shown Monday through Friday and cost just $2 per person. Refreshments are also more reasonably priced than at most area theatres.

If you plan to see six or more of the 11 movies, then buy a "season pass" for just $11. For a complete list of free summer movie titles, click here.

RAVE'S FREE FAMILY FILM FESTIVAL

Rave Motion Pictures holds an annual summer family film festival at select theatres. The Fairfax location is Fairfax Corner 14 at 11900 Palace Way. All shows are at 10 AM on Tuesday and Thursday. The titles for this summer are as follows:

6/28 & 6/30 - Megamind
7/5 & 7/7 - Yogi Bear
7/12 & 7/14 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid
7/19 & 7/21 - Live Large
7/26 & 7/28 - Ramona and Beezus
8/2 & 8/4 - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
8/9 & 8/11 - Chronicles of Narnia 3
8/16 & 8/18 - Gulliver's Travels

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS

The David R. Pinn Community Center on 10225 Zion Drive in Fairfax will show free movies on Fridays starting at 7:30 PM. The movies will be shown outside under the stars. Parental supervision is required for children under age 13. This is the only free Fairfax movie festival that runs through the end of September. Here are the free summer movies:

7/1 - Oliver and Company
7/8 - Bugs Life
7/15 - Up
7/22 - Monsters Inc.
7/29 - Cars
8/5 - Toy Story 3
8/12 - Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2
8/19 - Napoleon Dynamite
8/26 - Sky High
9/2 - Grease
9/9 - Little Rascals
9/16 - The Sandlot
9/23 Goonies
9/30 - Fantasia

COX MOVIES UNDER THE MOON

This particular festival has concluded for the summer. Bookmark this article and return in the summer of 2012 for an updated list of free movie showings. Cox holds its annual Movies Under the Moon festival at Van Dyck Park on 3730 Old Lee Highway in the City of Fairfax. This is a good option for families with older children who can stay up late. Gates open at 6:30 PM and the movie begins at dusk (typically around 8:30-9) Live music precedes the showings, and the kids can play on the playground, which boasts both vertical and traditional merry-go-rounds, swings, slides, and a miniature rock-climbing wall. You can eat before or during the show, but you're discouraged from brining your own food, because concessions will be sold to benefit charity. No dogs are allowed. Free parking is available at the lots of the Northern Virginia Mennonite Church, Daniels Run Elementary, and the Christian Science Church.

Of course you don't want your kids gazing at a screen all summer long. For more great free or low-cost summer activities in Fairfax and throughout Northern Virginia, check out the 2011 D.C.-Area Guide to Surviving Summer with Children. It describes over 100 inexpensive family-friendly day trips, attractions, and activities in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.