Looking For Summer Family Movie Options
Some recommendations from Elmwood Park's resident movie critic
By Don Shanahan
While Elmwood Park’s own “Movies in the Park” series in Central Park is wonderful and close, there are definitely reasons it might not be the best fit for those looking for movie magic in the summer.
For some, dusk is a late time to keep the kids out. Or perhaps summer allergies and biting bugs are not appealing for an evening of entertainment.
If you need some cinema entertainment for the entire family that is easier, earlier, or indoors, there are excellent and affordable family movie options happening all summer long at three theater chains nearby Elmwood Park.
Here are some helpful details, sorted from the lowest price to the highest.
“Summer Movie Clubhouse” is run by Cinemark Theatres.
Their closest location is in Melrose Park on the north side of North Avenue just west of 5th Avenue.
Tickets are only $1.75, and the events include a $1 off offer for kid’s snack packs or any size popcorn-and-drink combos.
Cinemark’s selected shows run every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m., with additional screenings throughout the rest of the week.
The upcoming “Summer Movie Clubhouse” choices and dates include:
“Despicable Me 4" - June 30-July 3
“Kung Fu Panda 4” - July 7-11
“The Wild Robot" - July 14-17
“Sonic the Hedgehog 3” - July 21-24
“The Garfield Movie” - July 28-31
“The Lego Batman Movie” - August 4-7
Speaking from the film critic’s seat, the best one of that bunch is “The Wild Robot”— DreamWorks’s wondrous book adaptation of an abandoned robot adjusting to being shipwrecked in rustic nature and befriending the native animals. Mark your calendars for that one in particular.
Second best in the price department is Classic Cinemas’ “Wednesday Morning Movie Series.”
The beautiful Lake Theatre location is just down Harlem Avenue and south of Elmwood Park in Oak Park.
Classic Cinemas’ screenings, which feature sensory-friendly options and welcome group reservations, happen only on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. They are priced at $2 with fee-free online ticketing and reserved seating available.
Through special group booking for parties larger than 20 people, $8 will get each person a ticket and the “Kiddie Combo,” which includes popcorn, fruit snacks, and the choice of a juice box or a fountain drink.
As is the case with all showings and events at any Classic Cinemas location, popcorn and drink refills are always free.
The remaining July and August movies for the “Wednesday Morning Movie Series” are as follows:
“Shrek 2” - July 9
“The Garfield Movie” - July 16
“Kung Fu Panda 4” - July 23
“Despicable Me 4” - July 30
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” - August 6
Of those titles, you have to go with “Shrek 2.” It’s bigger, better, and funnier than the original, and at 21 years old (yes, it’s been that long), it’s rare to get to see it on the big screen.
Last, but not least, is the “Summer Movie Camp” organized by AMC Theatres.
AMC has two nearby locations—AMC Galewood Crossings 14 on Central Avenue south of Grand and the AMC Norridge 6 off Harlem Avenue past the Harlem-Irving Park Plaza mall.
The “Summer Movie Camp” showings are priced at $3, which still counts as a bargain these days. Like Cinemark, AMC also offers more showtimes, days, and dubbed Spanish language options than one screening per week. They also have scheduled deeper into August than the other two chains.
AMC’s slate to finish the summer includes:
“Minions: The Rise of Gru” - June 30 and July 2
“Despicable Me 4” - July 7 and July 9
“Kung Fu Panda 4” - July 14 and July 16
“The Wild Robot” - July 21 and 23
“Shrek” - July 28 and July 30
“Migration” - August 4 and August 6
“The Secret Life of Pets” - August 11 and 13
My top recommendation (echoing my Classic Cinemas recommendation) is to take advantage of the chance to see something as old as the original “Shrek” on the big screen, especially with a new generation of viewers. There is also a second window to see “The Wild Robot.”
Hopefully, these three venues near Elmwood Park can offer some easy fun and air-conditioned afternoon escapes to beat the heat.
To get the most out of the calendar and cover as many choices as possible, mix and match the locations and available days.
Each of these chains has made these special events casual and family-friendly, and all of the potential locations are under a 10-minute drive from Elmwood Park. Pack the car and enjoy the show!
Don Shanahan is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic living in Elmwood Park as a school teacher by day with his wife, Thanh, and two children, Molly and Sam. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Content Supervisor of Film Obsessive, the founder of the website Every Movie Has a Lesson, and the co-host of the Cinephile Hissy Fit podcast. Don is also a voting member of the nationally-recognized Critics Choice Association, Hollywood Creative Alliance, Chicago Indie Critics, the Online Film Critics Society, and several other groups. The Shanahan family manages the "Free Blockbuster" take-a-movie/leave-a-movie franchise box located on the 2600 block of North 75th Court.