Eagle-eyed Hiffers (holy crap, how did you get an EAGLE'S EYE?!) know that my current offspring count sits equal to the number of home runs I've hit for the Seattle Mariners this season. That said, growing up with tons of siblings, I have an inkling for what it's like with bored, moping children around the house. For you see, I myself get bored. A lot. And if your kids are anything like me, it must be insufferable to be around them when they have nothing to do. Plus it's hot outside! I need some cheap, air-conditioned entertainment.

As such, here's a huge list of all the free & cheap summer movie events! Almost every theater chain has a dedicated page advertising their summer deals, plus a helpful list of participating locations. So be sure to make sure your local spot is holding a deal before heading out.

I've included both nationwide and smaller, regional chains so as many Hiffers can take advantage of these deals as possible. I'm sure there are more, so please leave a comment if you find any I missed!

Alamo Drafthouse – Their summer Kids Camp shows children's classics with tickets at $1, $3, or $5, depending on location. Kids earn stickers for your Alamo Kids Club Prize Book and 100% of proceeds go to local nonprofits! You can even buy your tickets online, making this super easy and relaxing!

AMC Theaters – Their Summer Movie Camp program holds kid-friendly movies plus a KidsPack every Wednesday for just $4! This year, the program runs through July 31 and will feature movies such as Trolls, Lego Movie 2, Peter Rabbit and many more.

The KidsPack mentioned includes a kid's size popcorn, small drink, and FrootiTooti fruit snack!

Bow Tie Cinemas – Select locations are showing free kids movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10am from June 25 to Aug. 21.

Cinemark Century Theaters – They have two different money saving movie programs. During their 10-week program from May 27 to Sep. 8, pay $1 per person, per movie, at the box office on the day of your movie! That's already a great deal. But you can also pay $5 in advanced and get tickets for all 10 movies!

Cineplex – Saturday mornings at 11am through July will feature Cineplex Family Favourites. Watch a family favorite film each week for only $2.50 at participation locations, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the WE Charity.

Classic Cinemas – Running June 5 – August 7, take part in the Wednesday Morning Movie Series. Each Wednesday morning, ticket prices are just $1, with all movies rated G or PG. Movies start at 10am, but doors open at 9am. You're encouraged to arrive early to meet some of your favorite characters and join in on the fun games & activities.

Georgia Theatre Company – Join them for the Summer Kid Show Series at 10:00am every Tuesday and Thursday in June and July. They've got $1.50 admission, $1.50 drinks, and $1.50 popcorn.

Harkins Theater – Prices look to vary by participating location, but kids can enjoy a movie a week for 10 weeks, for less than $1 per film!

Marcus Theaters – Every Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday mornings at 10am from June 16 – Aug. 14 will feature a favorite family flick for just $3! Popcorn and fountain drinks are $2.75 as well. Finally, you can score 2 free tickets and print them from home thanks to your local American Family Insurance agent.

Megaplex Theatres – Individual tickets are $1.50 for 10am movies running almost every day, with sensory friendly shows at 10:30am! You can also buy a 10 movie pass for just $10.

Metropolitan Theaters – Get $2 admission to movies at 10am, starting June 11 – Aug. 13. Dates depending on your regional theater.

• Redstone & Wildhorse are every TUESDAY
• MetroLux 14 & Paseo Nuevo are every TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY
• Camino Real is every THURSDAY

Paragon Theaters – Scroll down to find their Free Kids Movies promotion. Starting June 11 through Aug. 8, get free admission for 10am movies on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Seats are limited to first come, first serve.

Phoenix Theatres – Absolutely free select 10am showings of kid movies every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Doors open at 9am and all ages are welcome. There's also a “special kiddie meal” available, but I'm not sure what's included in that.

Regal Cinemas – All summer long, you can see select G or PG movies for just $1 a ticket! Show times are Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 10am via their Summer Movie Express program.

Studio Movie Grill – Their Summer Children's Series varies by location, but largely runs every weekday at 11am through the end of summer. Like the rest, you get a family friendly film for only $1 a ticket.

Showcase Cinemas – Their Bookworm Wednesdays allow kids to bring in a book report (6 and under don't need this) in exchange for free admission! The best I ever got for a book report was the promise of no more book reports.

Ultra Star Cinemas – Finally, see a different movie every week at 9:30am for just $1. New movies are rotated each week.

So there you have it. Like I said earlier, please leave a comment if you know of any programs I missed!

Other Summer Freebies

• Summer Reading Deals
• Free Kids Roller Skating
• Free Kids Bowling
• Freebies for good grades and report cards
• Weekly in-store Freebie Events

I was a nerdy, smart kid with my nose perpetually in a book and that trait carried over into adulthood. I'm the guy at the end of the bar more interested in reading my Kindle than socializing with strangers. Yet I've never been offered freebies based on how much I read or how smart I am! Oh, to be a kid again.

I should note I started this post in May, but kind of lost track of time 🙂 No worries though, as all the offers below should still be active for the rest of this summer or beyond.

There are a lot of other websites with outdated information on freebies for good grades. I only included offers I could verify to some degree, but I strongly encourage you check with your own locations no matter what! Since these restaurants are usually franchises, offers heavily vary by location.

Rewards via Report Cards

Applebee's – While not quite nationwide, they confirmed on Twitter that it's up to your local Applebee's as to whether or not they give out freebies for good grades.

One of the largest Applebee's franchise, RMH Franchise, operates 135 Applebee's locationas in 15 states. They offer an A is for Applebee's program, where students 12 and under can get a free meal from the Kid's Menu if they receive an A on their report card. Many other freebie sites erroneously say this is a nationwide deal, but it's a great example of what kind of offer you can expect if your local franchise participates!

Baskin Robbins – They also confirmed on Twitter that giving away free scoops is “at the discretion of each franchise owner.” So call your local creamery!

Cheryl's Cookies – Their Cookies for A's program is for K-8th grade students who can enter for a chance to win cookies for their A's. Simply upload your students report card here. At the end of every month through out the school year, they will randomly choose 5 lucky winners who each receive a box of cookies AND an extra box of cookies to hand deliver to their favorite teacher!

Chuck E. Cheese – Anybody can print their Super Student Award 🙂 It's a redeemable certificate for 10 free tokens per day, however a food purchase is required.

Family Video – Throughout the month of June 2019, students get a free overnight movie or video game rental for every A on their final report card.

Financial Institutions – Hundreds of small banks, credit unions, and even insurance companies offer rewards for good grades as well! I highly suggest checking the website of any smaller institution you're with, as well as asking your local branch. I've seen some small banks offering up to $25 for good grades! Others offered smaller cash rewards, discounts, and other prizes.

I wish these offers had been around when I was a kid. I would have made some serious cash!

Jason's Deli – They replaced their old JDPickleCards offer with a new Kids Cash system. Kids under 12 got a free kid's meal at participating locations.

Kudzoo – Download their app either on iOS for iPhones or Google Play for Android. Students aged 13 or older can submit up to 5 report cards a year and earn Kudzoo cash. This can be redeemed at local stores, restaurants, and more.

Pizza Hut – Each marking period, any child who has 3 A’s or the equivalent thereof, will receive one Personal Pan Pizza and a small soft drink or carton of milk by presenting his or her report card to the manager. This offer is good for Elementary and Middle School students. Dine-in only. Students must be present and the original report card must be presented.

Unconfirmed or Old Freebies

Other sites report the following companies give freebies for good grades, but I've been unable to verify these claims. I've reached out to the following companies on Twitter, so please feel free to also message them and help get an answer 🙂

• Bob Evans – As of 2019, the Star Student program “is not a program that is currently active at our restaurants.”
• Burger King
• Chick-fil-A
• Coldstone Creamery
• IHOP
• Krispy Kreme
• Marco's Pizza
• McDonald's
• Sonic
• Wendy's

I'll keep this list updated as I find new offers, so if you find anything I missed, please let me know in the comments!