Your summer 2026 guide to outdoor movies in the Sacramento region
Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and catch an outdoor movie once in a while, you could be missing out. So grab your lawn chairs and blankets, and make the most of summer’s comfy evening hours with screenings under the stars around the region, from timeless comedies like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to more recent releases like Wicked and plenty of animated hijinks for the kiddos.
An outdoor film screening for Nevada City’s Movies Under the Pines (Photo by Allison Kalt, courtesy of the Nevada City Film Festival)
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—early arrivals 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
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)
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
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
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)
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
