Alamo City Family Summer Movie Guide


Family Summer Movie GuideI’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?

THE BAD NEWS

Let’s start with the bad news so that you have something to look forward to!

Folks, our options for family friendly movies this summer are pathetic. Bleak. Downright sad. Which isn’t too terribly bad for me personally, because my kids are getting older and we can finally get away with seeing some more mature flicks. (I recently had the amazing experience of sobbing through “The Fault in Our Stars” (PG-13) with my older daughter, Eleanor. It seems like yesterday that we were watching her first movie theater movie, “Curious George,” together.)  But for those of you who fall squarely within the G and/or PG-rated set, I am here to report that your summer movie options are grim. Oh, and if you have a “Frozen”-obsessed little girl who is looking for something remotely princessy or girlie (or just not necessarily seemingly made for a primarily male audience) to watch this summer, too bad, so sad, love dad. Just turn on “Frozen.” Again. Oh, and hey, in case I haven’t depressed you enough, THERE IS NO PIXAR FLICK THIS SUMMER! Like I said, this is the bad news–bear with me, it gets better.

Let me break down your options for you:

JUNE

By now, you have probably heard all of the hype about “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” Believe it. It’s GOOD, y’all. And it’s PG! I loved the first one, and this one is action-packed. Go see it as a family. Your kids will love it, regardless of gender. You and your significant other will be thoroughly entertained. And then, guess what? You are DONE for the summer! Put your credit card away! Yay! I’m kidding. Sort of.

JULY

Earth to Echo” (PG), opening July 2, looks like a low-budget “E.T.”/”Transformers”/”Super 8″/”Wall-E” mashup-knockoff with a little computer animated owl alien (Owlien? Owl-E?) as the star of the show. I’m predicting this flick will be lackluster at best. But at least it’s an option, right?

July 18 brings “Planes: Fire & Rescue” (PG) to a theater near you. I’m a little concerned about this one because it was originally supposed to be a direct-to-video flick from Disney, but after the relative success of “Planes” last summer, Mickey Mouse decided to greenlight this one for the big screen. Those of you with “Cars” and “Planes“-loving little ones, go ahead and line up for your popcorn now.

AUGUST

If you have young children who are not yet ready for PG-13 rated movies, you can skip down to the Good News section of this blog right now, because nothing is coming out in the theaters for your children in August. Seriously.

Parents of boys in the kindergarten age-range have almost certainly been re-introduced to the turtles, who were popular when I was young: Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo. I know a certain six-year-old who simply will NOT leave the house without his nunchucks, swords and paint stirrer.

The 6-year-old owner of this arsenal will be VERY disappointed if the turtle movie ends up being PG-13.
The 6-year-old owner of this arsenal will be VERY disappointed if the turtle movie ends up being PG-13.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are clearly marketed for little boys, and I just hope and pray that when the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie” comes out on August 8, it will be age-appropriate (PG), because his mama is going to have hell to pay if it isn’t. At this point, it’s “unrated,” but the trailer sure makes it look like it will probably be PG-13.

For older tweens and teens, “The Giver” (currently unrated) will arrive in theaters on August 15. My daughter, Eleanor, and I can’t wait–we have already been discussing how much we hope that the movie will do justice to Lois Lowry’s amazing book, which should amass a “Hunger Games“-loving following. If dystopian fiction appeals to you, go ahead and read the book (or the entire quartet, for that matter) now so that you are ready for the movie. (Side-note: Can I just say how thrilled I am that Meryl Streep will be playing Chief Elder?!?)

Finally, the summer started with Marvel superheroes and will end with Marvel superheroes when “Guardians of the Galaxy” (currently unrated) opens on August 1. This movie will likely be rated PG-13, since all of the other Marvel movies have been, including one of my favorite movies of the summer so far, “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” Check out the trailer. One of the Guardians, a snarky raccoon named Rocket, is voiced by Bradley Cooper!

THE GOOD NEWS

So what’s the good news? I know you have been waiting with bated breath. Here goes: you can take your kids to see lots of age appropriate, tried-and-true favorite movies (Pixar included!) on the big screen for free or for super cheap, either inside a cold theater with a coke and popcorn or outside on a picnic blanket under the stars. Here’s a handy local list so that you can start planning!

INDOOR OPTIONS

In San Antonio, one of the best places to beat the heat is in a cold movie theater next to your little one.  Flip up that arm rest and snuggle in. There are lots of movie theaters offering free or almost free movies this summer. Click on the headings below for more information and showtimes.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema’s Alamo Kids Camp

Starting June 16 and running until mid-August, Alamo Drafthouse will offer a free movie for kids. Titles confirmed so far are: “Curious George” (G) and “Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’hoole” (PG). Check the Alamo Drafthouse website for more information.

Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse

At San Antonio Cinemark movie theaters, you can see a variety of family movies for only $1 per show when purchased at the box office or $5 for ten movies when purchased in advance at the box office or at cinemark.com. Recently-released titles include “The Lego Movie” (PG), “Rio 2” (G), and “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” (PG).

Regal Entertainment Group Summer Movie Express

Regal movie theaters are showing family movies for $1 on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Tickets must be purchased at the theater, and all movies start at 10am.

Santikos Presents Free 2014 Summer Movies

Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am you can catch a free summer movie at a local Santikos theater. Arrive early for the best seating. Check out “The Croods” (PG) and “The Pirates! Band of Misfits” (PG) and more.

OUTDOOR OPTIONS

Several local venues are offering free outdoor movie-going options this summer, with family favorite flicks projected on big screens. Several offer pre-show entertainment and concessions.

Slab Cinema/San Antonio Art Museum Family Flicks Series

Oui! An outdoor film series in collaboration with the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA), inspired by SAMA’s Matisse: Life in Color exhibit opening this summer, the museum will host family films for Francophiles on every second Saturday at sundown this summer in the West Courtyard (or in the auditorium during inclement weather). Special performances and art activities begin one hour prior to the 8:35pm screening time. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and picnics. For ages 6 and up.

Movies by the Lake

On June 28, a free outdoor screening of “The Avengers” (PG-13) will take place at dusk by the picturesque Lake at Woodlawn Park.

Movies by Moonlight in Travis Park

After six years of outdoor movies in HemisFair Park, this series is moving to the newly refurbished Travis Park on Tuesday nights, when downtown parking garages offer free parking after 5pm. This is where to go to see your family’s favorite Pixar movies this summer on the big screen, with options like “Monsters University,” “Finding Nemo,” “Toy Story 2,” and “Cars 2.” Pre-show entertainment starts at 7:30pm, with a brief intermission and the movie starting at 8:30pm. Bring your chairs, picnic blanket, and snacks (concessions are also available for purchase).

Movie Nights in the Heights

Bring your chairs, blanket and a picnic and watch a great lineup of free outdoor movies at the Nature Trailhead next to The Pool in Alamo Heights on June 20 (“The Lego Movie”), July 18 (“Gravity”), and August 22 (“Frozen”).

So there you have it! While the first-run movie selections for young movie-goers aren’t exactly stellar this summer, there are lots of cinematic options to keep your whole family entertained for free or almost free in and around the Alamo City. To quote one of my favorite film critics, Roger Ebert, “I’ll see you at the movies.”

Kelly
Kelly lives in Terrell Hills and is a full-time working mom of 4 in a never-a-dull-moment blended family. Her twin stepsons, Eric & Grant, are high school juniors. Her daughters, Eleanor and Sadie, are in junior high and elementary school. She and her husband, Ryan, are both attorneys. When she is not working and "air-traffic controlling" her busy brood, she and her family enjoy exploring San Antonio and the surrounding area.