Sidewalk Cinema Experience 44 13 places to watch movies this summer, including outdoor screenings — What’s a movie without popcorn? (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

From Top Gun: Maverick to Minions: The Rise of Gru, it’s no secret that movie theaters are making a comeback. With unbearably hot weather and even hotter movie releases, summer is the perfect time to watch a film. Everybody grab your popcorn—it’s time to dive into our list of spots to catch a flick this summer.

Outdoor Theaters

1. Free Friday Flicks—Hoover

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Head to Veteran’s Park in Hoover on Friday, July 8 for the last Free Friday Flick of the season. Enjoy a fun kids’ zone, food and dessert trucks and of course, an outdoor screening of Space Jam: A New Legacy.

Schedule:

July 8-Space Jam: A New Legacy | 6:30PM | Movie starts at dusk | Free

Location: 4800 Valleydale Rd, Meadowbrook, AL 35242

2. Grand River Drive-in

Grand River Drive In 23 13 places to watch movies this summer, including outdoor screenings — Experience a drive-in movie. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

Enjoy a movie in the great outdoors with a classic drive-in theater experience at Grand River. With multiple screenings at once, there are movies for all ages to choose from.

Schedule July 8-July 14

Screen 2:

First Showing—Thor: Love & Thunder | 8:45PM
Second Showing—Lightyear | 11PM

Screen 3:

First Showing—Elvis | 8:45
Second Showing—Top Gun: Maverick | 11:40PM

Screen 4:

First Showing—Minions: The Rise of Gru | 8:45PM
Second Showing—Jurrasic World: Dominion | 10:30PM

Buy tickets | View full schedule

Location: 1453 Grand River Pkwy N, Leeds, AL 35094

3. Alabaster Movie Nights

Document 13 places to watch movies this summer, including outdoor screenings

Enjoy dinner and a movie in Alabaster along with some good old-fashioned family fun. There will be fun games like badminton, crossnet, wiffle ball, bubbles, bocce ball, hula hoop, frisbee, lawn bowling, and corn hole. Make sure to bring money for food and drink purchases, lawn chairs and blankets for the ultimate experience.

Schedule:

July 8—American Underdog (rated PG) | movie will begin at dusk, usually around 8:15-9PM | Free
July 22—Soul (rated PG) | movie will begin at dusk, usually around 8:15-9PM | Free

Location: Veterans Park (Alabaster), 7305 Hwy 119, Alabaster, AL 35007

BONUS: Alabster Teen Council will be hosting the following movies at Larry Simmons Stadium beginning at dusk:

July 19: Mean Girls
Aug. 2: The Blind Side

Find out more.

Indoor Theaters

4. Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema

Sidewalk Lounge — Sidewalk Film Center + Cinema Jefferson County Commission South Lounge. (Nick Case / Bham Now)

You’ve definitely heard of Sidewalk because of their annual film festival, but did you know they screen both new + classic movies year round? With a full bar + concession stand, and a bathroom inspired by The Shining, you’ve got to check this place out.

Location: 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Buy Tickets | View Schedule

5. Alabama Theatre

Alabama Theatre is an iconic performing arts venue where you can catch your favorite classic movies this summer.

Schedule:

July 8—Grease Sing-Along | 7PM
July 10—The Wizard of Oz | 2PM
July 15—Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark | 7PM
July 17—Blue Hawaii | 2PM
July 22—Smokey and the Bandit | 7PM
July 24—Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory | 2PM
July 29—The Big Lebowski | 7PM
July 31—The Sound of Music | 2PM

Location: 1817 3rd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203

Buy Tickets

6. McWane Science Center

McWane IMAX 1 13 places to watch movies this summer, including outdoor screenings — Grab your friends and head to the movies. (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

Not only can you explore fascinating exhibits at McWane, you can also watch box office hits and neat documentaries at their IMAX theater.

Now Showing: Thor: Love and Thunder, Wings over Water, Asteroid Hunters

Location: 200 19th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203

View showtimes + buy tickets.

7. Phoenix Theatres The Edge 12

Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10AM you can catch a free kid-friendly movie at The Edge 12 theater. Plus, all seats + showings are only $5.99 daily.

Free Summer Movie Schedule:

July 5-7—A Dog’s Way Home + Teen Titans Go! To The Movies
July 12-14—Goosebumps 2 + Pokemon Detective Pikachu
July 19-21—The Croods: A New Age + Shrek
July 26-28—Trolls World Tour + The Secret Life of Pets 2
August 2-4—Despicable Me + Abominable
August 9-11—Sing 2 + Clifford the Big Red Dog
August 16-18—Minions + Paw Patrol The Movie

Location: 7001 Crestwood Blvd # 1100, Birmingham, AL 35210

View showtimes + buy tickets.

8. AMC Vestavia Hills

Lean back and relax at AMC Vestavia Hills—they have heated recliners and will even bring delicious food and drinks straight to your seat, so you don’t have to miss a thing.

Location: 1911 Kentucky Ave, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216

View showtimes + buy tickets.

9. Birmingham Premiere LUX Cine GSX & Pizza Pub

Your one-stop-shop for family fun, with a pizza pub, arcade, reclining seats and big movie screens. Catch a free kid-friendly movie at 10AM and 11AM on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Free movie schedule: