5 low-priced summer movie programs for kids in Charlotte area

Looking for affordable indoor summer movies in Charlotte, NC? Treat your kids to a delightful cinematic experience without breaking the bank.

Explore this list of low-priced films showing in various theaters on weekdays this summer. From animated adventures to family-friendly blockbusters, find the perfect movie to beat the summer heat and create lasting memories.

Find all the best (and cheapest) kids’ activities on our list of upcoming kids’ events in Charlotte!

For the exact schedule for a particular theater, follow the links below. Keep up with all the free and cheap happenings in Charlotte by subscribing to Charlotte on the Cheap. It’s free!

6 kids at the movies with 3d glasses and popcorn — Photo: Depositphotos

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Cinergy Dine-In Cinemas Kids Summer Movie Series

Cinergy has one Charlotte location, at 5336 Docia Crossing, Charlotte. This is in the north part of Charlotte, in the space that Studio Movie Grill used to be in.

Every Tuesday and Thursday, from June 6 to August 10, 2023, Cinergy is showing kids’ movies at 10 a.m. Tickets are just $2. More info on Cinergy’s Kids Summer Movie Series.

Here’s the schedule:

June 6 and 8: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
June 13 and 15: Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
June 20 and 22: Angry Birds 2
June 27 and 29: The Emoji Movie
July 4 and 6: Jumanji: The Next Level
July 11 and 13: Hotel Transylvania 2
July 18 and 20: Puss in Boots
July 25 and 27: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
August 1 and 3: Clifford the Big Red Dog
August 8 and 10: Paw Patrol

Regal Entertainment Group’s Summer Movie Express

Regal Entertainment Group’s Summer Movie Express program offers kids’ movies during the day for $2. They’ll take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from May 23 to September 6, 2023. Times vary. At some theaters they are shown in the morning and at others they’re shown in early afternoon.

There will be two choices for movies and they will both be shown both days. The schedule can vary per cinema, both the start and end date, and the movies. Check your cinema’s schedule here. Make sure to enter your location.

Please note that not every participating theater is participating every week of this program. The following list is the schedule, nation-wide, which accounts for varying start and end dates for summer break.

Week 1 — May 23 & 24

How to Train Your Dragon
Abominable

Week 2 — May 30 & 31

The Croods: A New Age
Shrek Forever After

Week 3 — June 6 & 7

Puss in Boots
Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie

Week 4 — June 13 & 14

Sing
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water

Week 5 — June 20 & 21

Minions: The Rise of Gru
The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie

Week 6 — June 27 & 28

Sonic the Hedgehog
Dora and the Lost City of Gold

Week 7 — July 4 & 5

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Clifford the Big Red Dog

Week 8 — July 11 & 12

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
The Paw Patrol

Week 9 — July 18 & 19

The Bad Guys
Playing with Fire

Week 10 — July 25 & 26

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
Sing 2

Week 11 — August 1 & 2

The Boss Baby: Family Business
Dolittle

Week 12 — August 8 & 9

Kung Fu Panda 3
Curious George

Week 13 — August 15 & 16

Minions
How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

Week 14 — August 22 & 23

Shrek
Kung Fu Panda

Week 15 — August 29 & 30

Trolls World Tour
Despicable Me

Week 16 — September 5 & 6

Despicable Me 3
Spirit Untamed

Participating Charlotte area theaters in 2023

Regal Birkdale, 16950 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville
Regal Franklin Square, 3778 East Franklin Blvd, Gastonia

Other Regal cinemas might be participating, but the above ones have the movies listed at this time, and you can purchase tickets.

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse

Cinemark offers Summer Movie Clubhouse with 8 weeks of movies for $1.50 each. All screenings are at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. They take place from June 21 to August 16, 2023.

There is one participating theater in the Charlotte region:

Cinemark Tinseltown USA: 305 Faith Road, Salisbury, NC

Summer Movie Clubhouse 2023:

June 21: Minions: The Rise of Gru
June 29: Sonic the Hedgehog
July 5: Mummies
July 12: The Bad Guys
July 19: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
July 26: DC League of Super-Pets
August 2: Lyle Lyle Crocodile
August 9: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Poppy’s Summer Movie Magic

Stone Theatres (Sun Valley 14 in Indian Trail and RedStone 14 in Indian Land, SC) is showing $2 kids’ movies every Wednesday and Thursday from May 31 to August 3, 2023, at 10 a.m.

Drinks and popcorn will be available for $1.50 each.

In addition, on Monday of each week they be offering special sensory friendly screenings for guests who have sensory sensitivities.

More information on Poppy’s Summer Movie Magic.

2023 Schedule for RedStone 14 in Indian Land, SC:

May 31 and June 1: Sonic the Hedgehog 2
June 7 and 8: Minions: Rise of Gru
June 14 and 15: Shrek Forever After
June 21 and 22: Kung Fu Panda 3
June 28 and 29: How to Train Your Dragon 3
July 5 and 6: Paws of Fury: Legend of Hank
July 12 and 13: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
July 19 and 20: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
July 26 and 27: Mummies
August 2 and 3: DC League of Super Pets

2023 Schedule for Sun Valley in 14 in Indian Trail:

June 14 and 15: Shrek Forever After
June 21 and 22: Kung Fu Panda 3
June 28 and 29: How to Train Your Dragon 3
July 5 and 6: Paws of Fury: Legend of Hank
July 12 and 13: Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
July 19 and 20: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
July 26 and 27: Mummies
August 2 and 3: DC League of Super Pets

Gem Theatre’s Summer Matinees

Kannapolis’ Gem Theatre, at 111 West 1st Street, Kannapolis, NC, is hosting a Summer Matinee movie series in 2023. Every Tuesday from June 13 to August 8, 2023, a family-friendly movie will be shown at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., with a ticket price of only $2.

June 13: DC League of Super Pets
June 20: The Emoji Movie
June 27: Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
July 5: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
July 11: The Angry Birds Movie
July 18: Space Jam: A New Legacy
July 25: Paw Patrol: The Movie
August 1: Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
August 8: Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation

Ayrsley Grand Cinemas

Check back soon! In past years Ayrsley Grand Cinemas presented kids’ movies one weekday morning a week, and $5 got you a ticket and a kids’ snack pack. 9110 Kings Parade Blvd, Charlotte.