Budget friendly movies shown outdoors to help keep your kids entertained this summer
Warm weather entertainment doesn’t have to break the bank! Where to find free (or cheap) outdoor movies showing for families in Champaign-Urbana and beyond
Movies shown outdoors are a unique tradition for Midwest families. Whether spectators watch the show projected on a sheet in the backyard, or more people gather for the occasion in a park, village square, or pool, we have a list of places you can find movies OUTDOORS around Champaign-Urbana.
Chambanamoms thanks Illini Union Board Summer Quad Movie Series for presenting this list of outdoor movies.
The Illini Union and the Illini Union Board present the Summer Quad Movie Series. Each Thursday during the summer, come enjoy a free movie out on the University of Illinois Quad facing the Illini Union. Snacks and drinks can be purchased from the Illini Union Quad Shop.

There’s something special about movies during the summertime, isn’t there? And it gets even more special when you get to watch them (gasp!) outside!
We find movie nights popping up where the film is shown on the side of downtown buildings, on big screens next to our favorite pools, and even in the middle of places like Allerton Park. We list all of the local events we know of in the list below. And check back often – we definitely will add to this list as the season progresses.
RELATED: Looking for info on the free summer movies at the Savoy 16 movie theater? Check here!
Thursday, May 26, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
05/26/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Uncharted
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, May 27, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
05/27/2022
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm |
Off to the Races: Boxcar Racing & Outdoor Movie
at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Champaign Illinois |
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/02/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Dog
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, June 3, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/03/2022
7:00 pm |
Friday Night Flix at Hessel Park: Lego Batman Movie
at Hessel Park, Champaign IL |
Thursday, June 9, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/09/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – The Batman
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Saturday, June 11, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/11/2022
7:30 pm |
Movies at the Pool - Encanto
at Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center, Urbana IL |
06/11/2022
8:00 pm |
Monticello Movie Night presents "Encanto"
at Monticello Courthouse Square Historic District, Monticello IL |
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/16/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – The Lost City
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Thursday, June 23, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/23/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Sonic The Hedgehog 2
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, June 24, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/24/2022
7:00 pm |
Friday Night Flix at Hessel Park: Shang-Chi Legend of the 10 Rings
at Hessel Park, Champaign IL |
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
06/30/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Ambulance
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, July 1, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/01/2022
7:00 pm |
Friday Night Flix at Hessel Park: Sing 2
at Hessel Park, Champaign IL |
Thursday, July 7, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/07/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Infinite Storm
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Saturday, July 9, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/09/2022
7:30 pm |
Movies at the Pool - Spongebob
at Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center, Urbana IL |
07/09/2022
8:00 pm |
Monticello Movie Night presents "Ghostbusters: Afterlife"
at Monticello Courthouse Square Historic District, Monticello IL |
07/09/2022
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
Pool Pass Movie Night | Sholem Pass Holders Only
at Sholem Aquatic Center, Champaign Illinois |
Thursday, July 14, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/14/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – The Bad Guys
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Thursday, July 21, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/21/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Thursday, July 28, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/28/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, July 29, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
07/29/2022
7:00 pm |
Friday Night Flix at Hessel Park: Viva Las Vegas
at Hessel Park, Champaign IL |
Thursday, August 4, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
08/04/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Father Stu
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, August 5, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
08/05/2022
7:00 pm |
Friday Night Flix at Hessel Park: Scoob!
at Hessel Park, Champaign IL |
Thursday, August 11, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
08/11/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Morbius
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Saturday, August 13, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
08/13/2022
8:00 pm |
Monticello Movie Night presents "Luca"
at Monticello Courthouse Square Historic District, Monticello IL |
08/13/2022
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm |
Pool Pass Movie Night | Sholem Pass Holders Only
at Sholem Aquatic Center, Champaign Illinois |
Thursday, August 18, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
08/18/2022
9:00 pm |
Summer Movies on the Quad – Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
at U of I Quad, Urbana |
Friday, August 26, 2022
Date/Time | Event |
---|---|
08/26/2022
7:00 pm |
Friday Night Flix at Hessel Park: Ghostbusters Afterlife
at Hessel Park, Champaign IL |
Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:
- Champaign-Urbana Area Summer Reading Programs
- Where to Go Boating with Your Family Near Champaign-Urbana
- Free and Cheap Outdoor Movies in Champaign-Urbana
- Have the Ultimate Outdoor Summer with Kids in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Summer Fun for Families in Champaign-Urbana
- Farmers Markets in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Outdoor Concerts in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Free Summer Kids Movies Return to Savoy
- Where to See a Baseball Game Near Champaign-Urbana
- Visiting Champaign-Urbana Area Parks and Playgrounds with your Family
- Things to Do for Teens (and Tweens) This Summer in Champaign-Urbana
- Fishing Fun for Families in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Swim Teams in Champaign-Urbana and Beyond
- Where to Take Swim Lessons in Champaign-Urbana
- Season Pool Passes On Sale in Champaign-Urbana
- Champaign-Urbana Summer Camps for Kids