2012 Guide to Free (and Cheap) Summer Movies in Austin

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Updated 5/29 7 pm with specific films/dates for Cinema East.

Not even 24 hours after local schools have let out for the summer, I've already met several kids from my new neighborhood eager for entertainment and ways to earn money. Aluminum-can recycling and lemonade sales can only go so far in today's economy, so affordable entertainment will be a valuable commodity this summer.

That's where Slackerwood is here to help, as we offer our fourth annual guide to free and cheap summer movies in Austin and the surrounding area including Cedar Park and the City of Round Rock. Some programs are outdoors so double-check to see what you can and can't bring -- such as lawn chairs like seasoned Rolling Roadshow fan Dshanya Reese is modeling above. Some film programs are offered in non-theater venues such as local libraries and a track-and-field lawn. The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-in is closed for a season break as they re-locate into new space at Austin Studios. A couple of the major multiplex theatres as well as Alamo Drafthouse feature their annual kid-friendly summer programming.

A select few Alamo Drafthouse fans will win two free tickets to movies at the Alamo all summer long. Check out this page for details -- in a nutshell, you must join the Alamo Drafthouse mailing list, visit and "like" the Alamo Drafthouse Facebook page where you will be able to enter your name and email address, and then tweet about it. Five winners per market (Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Winchester) will be randomly drawn on June 25.

Programming for adults, especially independent film fans, is also plentiful this summer. Cinema East is at a new East Austin location for 2012, and is hosting a Launch Party at Cheer Up Charlie's on Thursday, May 31, to unveil its third season of outdoor film screenings.

If you have more info about a series or know about something we've forgotten, please let us know in the comments. We'll update this list over the next couple of weeks as we receive updates on more summer movie events.

Kung Fu Panda 2 101X Summer Cinema Series
Location: Central Park by Central Market
Cost: Free
Dates: June 6 - August 11
Details: This annual outdoor series is also known as Central Market Movies in the Park. This year's lineup: Mean Girls (June 6), Drop Dead Fred (June 20), Captain America (July 3), Armageddon (July 18) and Wayne's World (August 11). Movies start when it gets dark (around 8:30 pm), and don't forget to bring a blanket or lawn chair -- maybe also bug repellent. Viewers age 21 and up can enjoy a beer special of $2.50 pints of Blue Moon.

Alamo Kids' Camp
Locations: Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar, Alamo Drafthouse at the Village, Alamo Drafthouse Lake Creek, Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter
Cost: Free
Dates: June 1 through August 23
Details: The Alamo Kids' Camp features a mix of cult, classic and contemporary family-friendly films that appeal to all ages. The movies play Monday - Thursday at 11 am, with a different movie every week throughout the summer. The theaters offer a full lunch menu as well as great brunch items, and these shows often fill up fast. The films rotate biweekly between the Village, Lamar and Lake Creek locations. I'm excited to see several of these films, including a personal favorite, Bridge to Terabithia -- the lineup also includes Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs in 2D, Corpse Bride, and Fantastic Mr. Fox. Get there 20 minutes early or so because the theaters do often fill to capacity.

Don't confuse this series with Alamo Kids' Club, presented the last Saturday of the month only at South Lamar. Saturday, June 30 features Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, followed by the "Summer of 1982" programming of free and rare 35mm prints of The Dark Crystal on July 28 and The Last Unicorn on August 26. Screenings are first come, first serve.

Austin Film Festival Film Series
Locations: Texas Spirit Theater, at the Bob Bullock Texas State History and Alamo Drafthouse Village
Cost: Varies from free to $5, see details
Dates: June - August
Details: Austin Film Festival hosts several film programs throughout this year as well as during the summer, including audience award winners and family favorites. Some screenings include filmmaker dialogues. AFF also occasionally offers its members tickets to free preview screenings. This summer's film series include:

  • Made in Texas Family Film Series -- Begins Saturday, June 2 at 3:00 with a free screening of the classic film The Black Stallion with Bill Wittliff in attendance. July's selection is The Iron Giant with filmmaker Tim McCanlies on July 7, followed by the classic film Rin Tin Tin on August 4.
  • Made in Texas Film Series -- This program of movies by Texas-based filmmakers or filmed in Texas is co-sponsored by the Texas Film Commission. Screenings are held in the Texas Spirit Theater at 7:30 pm on the second Wednesday of each month from April through September. Tickets are $5 for the general public and free for AFF members and Texas State History Museum (TSHM) patrons. Coming this summer is The Andromeda Strain on June 13, Adaptations: Talk Radio on July 11; and Adaptations: In Cold Blood on August 8.
  • Audience Award Film Series -- Selections include Ecstasy of Order: The Tetris Master on June 18 at 7 pm, Restive on July 16 and Stories from An Undeclared War on August 20. Screenings are at Alamo Village. Admission is free for the first 30 AFF members at each screening, and $5 for subsequent members and the general public.

Austin Public Library Film Series
Locations: Various APL branches; see individual programs for details
Cost: Free
Dates: June - September; see individual programs for details
Details: Every year various film programs are offered at local APL branches for both kids and adults. These free events range in programming, and with changes to the City of Austin website including APL's web pages some schedules aren't as prominent. We'll update accordingly, but in the meantime here are the two main program offerings this summer:

  • 16 Millimeter Film Festival is a program of classic 16mm films for viewers aged 5 years and older. Screenings will be held Wednesday, June 13, 2 pm at Windsor Park; Monday, June 18, 2 pm, at Twin Oaks; Thursday, June 21, 2 pm at Carver; Thursday, July 5, 4 pm, at Milwood; Thursday, July 12, 2 pm, at Pleasant Hill; and Wednesday, July 18, 2 pm at Oak Hill. Because seating is limited at all programs, APL asks that you arrive early to gain entrance and in some locations free tickets will be made available earlier in the day. Be sure to contact the branch location directly for more information.
  • KLRU Community Cinema will be held at 7 pm on the first Tuesday of each month at the Windsor Park Branch. Local PBS station KLRU co-hosts this series featuring local filmmakers from the PBS Independent Lens series as they screen and discuss their films. Light refreshments will be provided. Screenings include a film to be determined in honor of Gay Pride Month on June 5; Operation Appreciation, a documentary on Sun City, Texas volunteers supporting Fort Hood soldiers, on July 3; Arts in Context: Producing Light, an insight into the Ballet Austin company's re-staging of the acclaimed Light/ Holocaust and Humanity Project, on August 7; and Mariachi High, a documentary about a year in the complex life of competitive high school mariachi musicians in Zapata, Texas, on September 4.

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse
Location: Cinemark Tinseltown 17(south)
Cost: $1 per show or 10 for 5 shows purchased in advance
Dates: June - August
Details:This summer program offers up both classic kids films and sequels, with a different film screened twice each week with a 10 am start time. Films include Puss in Boots, Winnie the Pooh, Rio, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, Despicable Me, and several other films to choose from.

Cinema East
Location: Track Field Lawn at Yellow Jacket Stadium
Cost: $3
Dates: Every other Sunday beginning June 10
Details: Cinema East 2012 will present a selection of 12 indie films, many with local connections, at their newest and best undiscovered east side location. Filmgoers can build their own picnic from vendors and mobile bistros including hot dogs and popsicles, as well as a full menu selection of fresh, seasonal, locally produced food. Each film will be preceded with DJ sets featuring music associated with the evening's film selection. Post-screening open dialogues are held between the creators and audience. Screenings are all-ages, bike-friendly and BYOB -- beer or blanket. Screenings include Bob Byington's Somebody Up There Likes Me (Don's review) on June 10, with star Nick Offerman in attendance; Gayby (Elizabeth's review) on June 24; and the Zellner brothers' Kid-Thing (Don's review) on July 8. I'm sure that like me, Jette is eagerly awaiting the July 22 screening of actress Amy Seimetz's (Tiny FurnitureYou're Next) feature directorial debut, Sun Don't Shine, starring AJ Bowen (Don's review). 

City of Round Rock Movies in the Park 2012
Location: Varies
Cost: Free
Dates: Monthly in May, June, August
Details: The City of Round Rock offers a monthly outdoor summer film series, starting with Transformers: Dark of the Moon on Friday, May 25 at Main Street Plaza, located next to City Hall at 221 East Main Street. Included is a live musical perfomance by local band Unleashed at 7:30 pm before the movie begins. The series then moves over to Lakeview Pavilion at Old Settlers Park for Puss in Boots on Friday, June 1, and Dolphin Tale, on August 10. Movies start after dark around 8:30 pm. Be sure to bring a lawn chair or blanket, and concessions are available.

Deep Eddy Movie NightDeep Eddy Pool: Movie Night
Location: Deep Eddy Pool
Cost: Infant under 12 months - free; child - 1 to 11 years $1; junior 12 to 17 years - $2; adult 18 to 61 years - $3; senior 62 years plus - $1.
Dates: June 2 - July 28
Details: Deep Eddy Pool continues their beloved movies-in-the-pool annual event, where prime seating is your floats or favorite beach towel. Movies begin at dusk, and this year's schedule includes the following family-friendly films:

  • June 2 -- Ghostbusters
  • June 9 -- Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory
  • June 16 -- Goonies
  • June 23 -- Captain America
  • June 30 -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1
  • July 7 -- The Adventures of Tintin
  • July 14 -- Puss in Boots
  • July 21 -- Kung Fu Panda
  • July 28 -- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Paramount 2012 Summer Classic Film Series
Location:
Paramount Theatre and Stateside at the Paramount
Cost: $8 - $10 (Film Fan discounted to $6 or buy Flix-Tix discounted to $5)
Details: The film I'm eagerly awaiting to see on the big screen is the original Manchurian Candidate, and check out Elizabeth's article on this summer's offering from the Paramount Theater. By far the best bargain for the Paramount Summer Classic Film Series is to purchase a Flix-Tix booklet of 10 admissions for $50, good in any combination to any Paramount Presented Film (unless otherwise noted).

Regal Summer Movie Express
Location: Arbor at Great Hills, Lakeline, Westgate
Cost: $1
Dates: Every Tuesday and Wednesday, beginning Tuesday, June 5 through Wednesday, August 1
Details: During this 9-week festival, select Regal Cinemas is offering a plethora of G or PG-rated movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10 am. A portion of proceeds from the Summer Movie Express will be donated to the Will Rogers Institute. Films include many of those featured in other programs -- Rio, Puss in Boots, etc. -- but unique to this program so far are Chimpanzee, Legend of the Guardians, and Kit Kittredge: An American Girl.

Republic Square Movies in the Park
Location: Republic Square Park
Cost: Free
Dates: Friday, June 1; first Thursday of the month September - November
Details: Republic Square Movies in the Park might be taking off the hotter months of July and August this year, but will continue the outdoors screenings well into the fall. On Friday, June 1, jump and scream to Jurassic Park, September 6 features Best of ACL, October 4 is the classic fantasy film Labyrinth and November 8 features the 2008 film Soul Power. Food vendors will be around and the movies are usually captioned for the hearing impaired. As with all outdoor screenings, be sure to bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. However, be reminded that you cannot bring alcohol, glass and styrofoam into city parks.

You can always count on free and cheap screenings year-round from the following:

  • Austin Film Society -- If you are an AFS member (membership starts at $30/yr), you have the opportunity for some free screenings and discounts on other screenings sponsored by AFS. AFS also offers free preview screenings for its members from time to time.
  • Alamo Drafthouse -- Terror Tuesday and Weird Wednesday tickets are usually $1, although we strongly advise you buy online in advance (the movies frequently sell out), which brings the price up to a whopping $2. Music Monday films are usually $5.
  • Austin Chronicle Contests -- Keep an eye on this web page for info on standby tickets to free preview screenings.

Please note that film selections, screening times and costs are at the discretion of the associated establishment. We'll update this information accordingly for any changes, but feel free to leave a comment below about anything we may have missed.

[Photo credits: "Dshanya Reese Enjoys a Rolling Roadshow Brew" and "Kung Fu Panda 2 in Bad Hindelang" by Debbie Cerda, all rights reserved; "Deep Eddy Splash Party Movie Night" by Susan Allen Sigmon; used with permission from Austin Parks and Recreation]