Your summer 2026 guide to outdoor movies in the Sacramento region
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and catch a summer outdoor movie, you’ll probably wish you did. From timeless comedies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to classic musicals like Mamma Mia! and plenty of animated hijinks for the kiddos, it’s summertime in the Sacramento region, which means grabbing our lawn chairs, blankets, and maybe a picnic, and making the most of this year’s temperate evening hours with outdoor screenings across the region all summer long and into the fall.
Movies Under the Pines (Nevada City)
We pledge allegiance… to the band, as this year’s Movies Under the Pines screening delivers Jack Black’s rocking 2003 comedy. While you’re welcome to bring your own food, there will be food trucks and ice cream on hand, as well as a vinyl record sale, a live DJ, an air guitar contest and the chance to win tickets to the Nevada City Film Festival for wearing your favorite band shirt.
June 6 – School of Rock
$10 per person or $35 per family of four. Activities start at 7:30 p.m., movie starts at sundown. Pioneer Park. 421 Nimrod St. Nevada City. nevadacityfilmfestival.com
Friday Flicks (Roseville)
Make sure to arrive to this one nice and early. Not only will attendees see the titular Elio abducted by aliens in the evening’s Pixar space adventure—co-written and co-directed by Grass Valley-raised Adrian Molina—they will be able to join in Elio-themed activities and abduct a special swag bag for themselves.
May 22 – Elio
Free. Activities start at 6:30 p.m., movie starts at 8 p.m. Vernon Street Town Square. 311 Vernon St, Roseville. roseville.ca.gov
Movies in the Park (Elk Grove)
You’re encouraged to bring your own dinner and snacks to this community get together, but still make sure to bring a bit of cash as well so you don’t miss out on one of the region’s cutest shopping opportunities before the show. A local “Kids Market” starts at 5 p.m., with business owners ages 5-17 selling their own artwork, crafts, jewelry and more.
May 30 – Zootopia
Free. Activities start at 5 p.m., movie starts at sundown. Amundson Park. 8730 Heritage Hill Dr. Elk Grove. cosumnescsd.gov
Drake’s Barnflix (West Sacramento)
Beer, pizza, and a veritable banquet of movies await at this riverside watering hole. Drake’s Brewing Co. at The Barn is hosting films the first Wednesday of every month through October—just remember a jacket for that inevitable Delta Breeze.
June 3 – Ferris Buller’s Day Off
July 1 – Zootopia 2
Aug. 5 – I Know What You Did Last Summer
Sept. 2 – The Devil Wears Prada
Oct. 7 – Hocus Pocus
Free. Movies start shortly after sunset. Drake’s: The Barn. 985 Riverfront St. West Sacramento. drinkdrakes.com
Barnflix movie nights (Courtesy of Drake’s: The Barn)
Movies in the Park (South Sacramento)
Bringing zany, kids-approved flicks to five different south Sacramento parks this summer, Southgate Recreation & Parks District is helping spread the movie magic. Pack a picnic and come early, as each night includes a free set of children’s activities, crafts, and games before the main event.
June 4 – Lilo & Stitch (2025) (Larry Gury Community Park)
June 11 – A Minecraft Movie (Bowling Green Park)
June 23 – Bad Guys 2 (Perry Avenue Park)
July 14 – Smurfs (Norman S. Waters Park)
Aug. 6 – Zootopia 2 (Don & Brenda Nottoli Community Park)
Free. Activities start at 6 p.m., movies start at sundown. Various locations. southgaterecandpark.net
Friday Moonlight Movies (Rancho Cordova)
Remember the delight of the bygone double feature? Rancho Cordova is bringing back the tradition for a special celebration of America’s 250th birthday with a pair of America-centric films each Friday in June, accompanied by tasty vittles from local food truck faves like Buckhorn BBQ, Drewski’s Hot Rod Kitchen and more.
June 5 – Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron & National Treasure
June 12 – An American Tail & Independence Day
June 19 – Balto & Captain America: The First Avenger
June 26 – Pocahontas & Hamilton
Free. First movie starts at 5:30 p.m., second movie at 7 p.m. The Village Green. 3141 Bridgeway Dr. Rancho Cordova. cordovacouncil.org
Friday Moonlight Movies in Rancho Cordova (Courtesy of the Cordova Community Council)
Float-in-Movie Nights (South Sacramento)
A trifecta of extended swim nights are making waves at Sacramento’s Christine Thompson Aquatic Center, keeping the fun going until 10 p.m. Chill out with free ice cream, a movie, and arts and crafts for the kids with themes like “Fairytale Royalty” and “Superheroes” for the first two, and Southgate Recreation and Park District’s special 70th anniversary celebration on Aug. 1.
June 5 – Snow White (2025)
July 17 – Sonic 3
Aug. 1 – Peter Pan (1953)
$7-$8. Pool opens at 6:30 p.m., movies start at sundown. Christine Thompson Aquatic Center. 8025 Waterman Rd. southgaterecandpark.gov
Movies in the Park (Arden-Arcade)
Lounging on the grass, plus a slate of family-friendly movies? It’s a simple recipe for cherished childhood memories, and Arden Park’s line-up of films—each timed to start as soon as the sun goes down—is perfect for the kids and the kids-at-heart.
June 5 – How to Train Your Dragon, starting at 8:30 p.m.
Aug. 7 – Wicked: For Good, starting at 8:15 p.m.
Sept. 4 – Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 2 – G.O.A.T., starting at 6:45 p.m.
Free. Arden Park. 1000 La Sierra Dr. Details
Friday Night Movies (Galt)
Grab a picnic and your fellow Disney/Pixar fans and head down to Galt for an array of animated favorites through early September. While the newest releases—including Toy Story 5—screen in Veterans Field, Aug. 14’s Moana will make a splash at the local aquatic center with the help of the pool’s brand new 30-foot waterslide.
June 12 – Zootopia 2 (Veterans Field)
July 10 – Hoppers (Veterans Field)
Aug. 14 – Moana (2016) (Gora Aquatic Center)
Sept 11 – Toy Story 5 (Veterans Field)
Free. Gates open at 6 p.m., movies start at sundown. Various Locations. Galt. cityofgalt.org
Movies Off the Wall (Downtown)
The Crocker Art Museum this season is heading back to simpler times with a trio of comedy favorites from the ’90s and early aughts. The museum’s courtyard will welcome moviegoers with a full bar, a cafe pop-up by Anchor & Tree Coffee Roasting Co. and a DJ-set inspired by the night’s film. Come early to grab a provided chair and to peruse the art as the Crocker stays open until 9 p.m. every Thursday.
June 18 – The Birdcage
July 16 – My Big Fat Greek Wedding
Aug. 20 – Clueless
$8 members, $16 nonmembers. Courtyard opens at 7 p.m., movies start at sundown. Crocker Art Museum. 216 O St. crockerart.org
Crocker Movies Off the Wall (Courtesy of the Crocker Art Museum)
Movie Nights in the Vines (Clarksburg)
For those in the mood for a wine pairing with your favorite flicks, Bogle Family Vineyards hosts its 21-and-over movie nights. The doors open an hour and 15 minutes before each film, during which time your ticket secures you a catered dinner and a full tasting.
June 19 – Major League, starting at 9 p.m.
July 17 – Stand By Me, starting at 9 p.m.
Aug. 14 – Mamma Mia!, starting at 8:30 p.m.
Sept. 18 – Practical Magic, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – Silence of the Lambs, starting at 7 p.m.
$25-$30. Tickets go on sale one month prior to each film. Doors open 75 minutes before. Bogle Family Vineyards. 37783 Co. Rd. 144. Clarksburg. boglewinery.com
Family Movie Night (Folsom)
Folsom’s summer hattrick of films matches each flick with free admission at a local institution around town (think live animal encounters at the Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary with Wild Robot, for instance). And if you get there early, join in for themed games and activities before settling in for the movie.
June 19 – Kicking & Screaming (Andy Morin Sports Complex)
July 17 – Wild Robot (Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary)
Aug. 1 – Surf’s Up (Steve Miklos Aquatic Center)
Free. Activities start at 6:30 p.m., movies start at 8:30 p.m. folsom.ca.us
Movie night at Folsom’s Steve Miklos Aquatic Center (Courtesy of City of Folsom’s Parks & Recreation Department)
Dive-In Movies (Elk Grove)
With the Elk Grove Aquatics Center open late, these movie nights include a full afternoon of splashy fun beforehand, starting at 4 p.m. But as tired as you might be by showtime, save enough energy to sing along with this triple-threat of catchy musicals.
June 20 – Wicked
July 11 – Frozen
Aug. 21 – High School Musical
$5-$8. Pool opens at 4 p.m., movies starts at sundown. Elk Grove Aquatics Center. 9701 Big Horn Blvd. Elk Grove. cosumnescsd.gov
Free Movie in the Park (Auburn)
Paired with a free swim night at the nearby Sierra Pool, and a community resources fair at the park, this Auburn movie night invites you to take a dip and then settle in for the movie. But don’t worry. If you build up an appetite, free popcorn is on offer to help.
July 10 – Zootopia 2
Free. Pool and fair open at 6 p.m., movie starts at 8:45 p.m. Recreation Park. 123 Recreation Dr. Auburn. auburnrec.com
District 1 Movie Nights (North Natomas)
Hosted by Sacramento District 1 city councilmember Lisa Kaplan, these Friday movie nights offer plenty of free popcorn, and also include a bounce house. So expect the little ones to be perfectly entertained until the main attraction begins.
July 24 – Puss in Boots
Aug. 21 – Elio
Sept. 11 – Under the Boardwalk
Free. Activities start at 7 p.m., movie starts at sundown. North Natomas Regional Park. 4989 Natomas Blvd.
Movie in the Park (Arden-Arcade)
Free popcorn and talking animals take center stage at this movie night as Mission Oaks Recreation & Park District screens Zootopia 2 at Ashton Park.
Aug. 15 – Zootopia 2
Free. Movie starts at sundown. Ashton Park. 4251 Ashton Dr.
Movie Night in the Cemetery (Upper Land Park)
It’s never good to whistle past a graveyard, so head in with a picnic dinner and watch a movie instead. This September, the Sacramento Historic City Cemetery is hosting a pair of near-century-old classics, projected amongst the graves: 1925’s silent, crime thriller The Unholy Three, starring Lon Chaney, and 1930’s Marx Brothers’ comedy Animal Crackers. Look forward to a docent-led introduction to the films beforehand.
Sept. 12 – The Unholy Three
Sept. 19 – Animal Crackers
$22. Activities begin at 7 p.m. Sacramento Historic City Cemetery. 1000 Broadway. historicoldcitycemetery.org
