Take a break from the heat by taking in a movie. Below is a round-up of the most budget-friendly summer movies in or near Wichita.
If you’re looking inexpensive movie options year-round in Wichita click here.
Have I missed any? Please share it in the comments section below! Keep scrolling to see a list of upcoming summer movie events in the Wichita area.
Summer Movies in Wichita
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Kids Summer Movie Specials
Derby Plaza Theater summer movies for kids run in June and July. Featuring kid-classics, tickets are only $2. The movies begin at 10:30 a.m. (doors open at 10 a.m.) on Wednesdays. The Kiddie Combo is a concessions special, which includes a small drink, small popcorn, and small candy.
Capitol Federal Amphitheater free summer movie series include wonderful family movies. They are being held in June, July, and August at Andover Central Park!
More Ways to Save on Movies this Summer
Summer at the Starlite Drive-In Theater
We love our Starlite Drive-In Theater here in Wichita, and for good reason! It’s something the whole family and a tassel of your kids’ friends can enjoy together, and throughout the summer, you get three first-run movies for one low ticket price, in an outdoor movie experience very few in the country get to experience. This year, not only is our Starlite re-opened, it’s cheaper! (Can you believe that?) Adults pay $7, and kids pay $3. (More info) They won’t have carload pricing on a regular basis, but the owner told me there will be a few special carload pricing events so stay on the lookout for that. My advice is to make the drive-in part of your summer plans, even if you can only go once. (Pro tip: Don’t plan anything early the next day, especially if you stay for all three movies.)
Matinee Pricing
In general, matinees (movies that start before 6 p.m.) have the lowest ticket prices. Don’t forget to take advantage of any military, senior citizen, or student discounts theaters may offer.
Student Specials
Many theaters offer student discounts. Be sure to check a theater’s website or ask at the box office before you pay full price. Bring your student ID.
New Release/First-Run Movie Bargains
Find cheap seats at local theaters showing new release movies:
Northrock 14
Great matinee pricing & Ticket Tuesdays.
Read more: Ways to save at the AMC Northrock 14
Movie Machine
Matinee prices, senior and student discounts.
Read more: Movie Machine discounts
Warren Old Town Theater Grille
Wednesdays = $5 ($8 for 3D movies)
Read more: $5 Movies at the Old Town Warren
Chisholm Trail 8 in Newton
Regular ticket prices are only $6, and matinee prices are even better. Plus, they have student, senior, and military discounts.
601 SE 36th #113, Newton, KS 67114, (316) 283-0555
Derby Plaza Theater
Matinee prices start at only $6, regular prices $8.50, $6 kid and senior discounts.
1300 North Nelson Drive, Derby, KS (316) 789-0114
Augusta Historic Theater
Plays one new-release movie in its restored 1930s historic theater.
Ticket prices for all showtimes, ages 3+ = $6 ($8 for 3D movies)
523 State St., Augusta, KS (316) 775-3661
Central Cinema 6 in El Dorado
Regular tickets $7, matinee/kids/senior price $5, students $6.
300 East Central, El Dorado, KS (316) 321-7469
Specialty Theaters
Orpheum Theatre’s annual Film Series shows an older favorite movie one Thursday every month. Movies begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 at the door; $6 for students, military, and seniors.
Boeing Dome Theater at Exploration Place offers a unique movie-watching experience, and you don’t need to pay museum admission to get a ticket. See educational/documentary type movies for all ages. Prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors 65+, and $3 for kids ages 3-11.
Past Movie Discounts and Movie Events in Wichita
Last year was hard on movie theaters. As things are slowly opening back up around town, we might see these types of movie events coming back.
The Orpheum Theater’s Summer Movie Series is especially fun for grownups since they’re being held on Friday nights. (Perfect date night idea!)
Not all kids summer movie events have been announced yet for 2021, so we’re leaving this list here for safekeeping:
Regal Cinemas $1 Summer Movies for kids might be coming back for 2021. Stay tuned on this one.
Dive-In Movies from Wichita Parks and Recreation were quite a fun idea! We will be keeping an eye out for them again this year, but no word yet on whether there are plans to bring back this chill & cheap summer family activity. (The price was just $2 for adults and $1 for kids 3-11.)
Towne West Square Mall summer movie series was last held in 2019 (like so many other things!) but I’m saving its place here in the hopes they’ll bring it back!
The Fox Theater Kids Summer Movies Series is inexpensive and fun if you want to get out of Wichita for a morning! Plus, they have a good deal on concessions during the films.
Morningstar Family Movie Night is on the first Friday of most months and is absolutely free. Very inexpensive concessions are also available.
Related: Movies on the Cheap
Originally published June 05, 2010. Updated June 11, 2019.
