Free Outdoor Movies in Orange County 2026

Find free outdoor movies in Orange County in 2026, including Movies in the Park, beach movies and outdoor movie nights hosted by OC Parks and local cities. Browse the schedule below for dates, films and locations, and confirm event details with the linked organizer before attending because schedules can change.

See our free outdoor concerts in the park and summer movies at the theater for as little as $1.50 lists too!

🎬 2026 outdoor movie schedules are updated as cities announce new dates and films. 🍿

Upcoming Free Outdoor Movies in Orange County

Most city-park and OC Parks summer movie series have wrapped. Still active: Downtown Disney Wednesdays through late October, Newport Dunes through October 24 and Pacific City through October 29, plus the fall, Halloween and holiday movie nights below.

October 16–25
Films on Forest — Laguna Beach
Outdoor films and live music on Forest Avenue during the Coast Film & Music Festival · Other nights’ titles TBA

Wednesday, October 21
Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas — Downtown Disney, Anaheim
7 PM · LIVE! Stage lawn · Free · Title reported by Daps Magic; Disney has not posted titles

Thursday, October 22
Beetlejuice — Pacific City, Huntington Beach
Live music around 5 PM, movie at sunset · Level 1 Ocean Deck · Free RSVP on Eventbrite
Actually, It Is Rocket Science (Teton Gravity Research) — Laguna Beach
6:30 PM · Films on Forest, Forest Avenue / Laguna Beach Promenade · Free · Event details

Friday, October 23
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie — Westminster
Halloween Spooktacular: Trunk or Treat 4:30–6:30 PM, then the movie at 6:45 PM · Westminster Civic Center
Hocus Pocus — Pasea Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
Check-in 6:30 PM, movie 7 PM · Ocean Lawn · Free admission, $15 discounted parking · Event details

Fridays and Saturdays through October 24
Movies on the Beach — Newport Dunes, Newport Beach
Dusk · Free admission (parking rates apply)

Thursday, October 29
Halloween Family Night with Coco — Pacific City, Huntington Beach
Festivities from 4:30 PM, Coco at 6 PM · Treats, prizes and costumes welcome

Friday, October 30
The Nightmare Before Christmas — Rancho Santa Margarita
Activities 3:30–6 PM, movie 6:30 PM · Central Park Amphitheater · SAMLARC Halloween Family Festival; registration requires a SAMLARC resident login, so check with SAMLARC about public access

More Upcoming Movie Nights: Downtown Disney continues Wednesday outdoor movies through October 28; remaining Wednesday titles are still TBA — check the linked organizer in the complete schedule below. Later this season: The Book of Life on Friday, November 6 (6–8 PM, San Juan Capistrano Library courtyard), The Nightmare Before Christmas on Friday, November 13 (6:30 PM, Pasea Hotel & Spa Ocean Lawn), Elf on Thursday, December 10 (6:30 PM, Pasea Hotel & Spa Ocean Lawn) and A Christmas Carol on Friday, December 11 (7–10 PM, Brea Civic & Cultural Center plaza).

Complete 2026 Orange County Outdoor Movie Schedule

Free Outdoor Movies in Orange County 2026

Planning your first outdoor movie night? A few simple items can make the evening more comfortable. Always check the organizer's rules because permitted items vary by park and event.

• Blankets or low-back chairs: Seating rules vary, so check the event page before bringing larger chairs.
• Layers: Orange County evenings can cool down after sunset, especially near the coast.
• Snacks and drinks: Many events allow outside food or have food vendors, but restrictions vary by location.
• Event details: Check the organizer's rules for pets, alcohol, glass containers, parking and other restrictions before attending.
• Arrive early: Popular movie nights can fill up before the film begins.

The following Summer Movies in the Park include freebies, additional activities, and special events:

• Aliso Viejo: Past events have included complimentary face painting before the movie begins.
• Anaheim: Movie nights sponsored by Disney may include free popcorn and drinks, giveaways, a visit from Disney Ambassadors, games, and contests.
• Dana Point: May include free popcorn.
• Fountain Valley Recreation Center: Events beginning at 6:00 p.m. often feature food trucks, games, and contests.
• Garden Grove: Fun family activities begin at 6:00 p.m. before the movie.
• La Habra: Bamboo Kids Club activities are usually included prior to the movie.
• Los Alamitos: Enjoy live music from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. with the movie immediately after the concert. May also include raffles, kids' activities, and food and drink vendors.
• The Newport Coast/Crystal Cove Conservancy: Located on the sand near the Historic District’s “Beaches” Film & Media Center and "Beaches" Cottage #13, enjoy a pre-movie informational presentation about Crystal Cove’s role in the film industry.
• Tustin: Pre-movie activities and fun from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Additional Paid or Visitor Only Outdoor Movies

Buena Park Dive In Movies are hosted at Peak Park Pool (7225 El Dorado Drive). Entry is $1 for kids and $1.50 for Adults. Pool opens at 7:30 PM and movies begin at 8:30 PM. For 2026, dates are:

• July 9 - Luca
• July 16 - Surfs Up
• July 23 - Shark Tale

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina hosts free outdoor movies open to the public (parking rates apply). Shows are Friday and Saturday at dusk through October 24 (no movies over the 4th of July weekend). Titles rotate — call or check the site for the current lineup.

Pacific City Sunset Music + Movie Nights run August 27–October 29 on the Level 1 Ocean Deck (between Simmzy’s and Mendocino Farms). Live music starts around 5 PM, with the movie at sunset. Free and open to the public (parking rates may apply). Bring blankets and lawn chairs and arrive early for a spot. On Thursday, October 29, Pacific City also hosts a Halloween family night with treats around the center and prizes starting at 4:30 PM, followed by a 6 PM screening of Coco; costumes are encouraged.

Pasea Hotel & Spa Movie Nights on the Lawn in Huntington Beach screen seasonal favorites on the hotel's Ocean Lawn (21080 Pacific Coast Highway). Admission is complimentary, and movie guests get discounted $15 parking. Upcoming dates:

• Friday, October 23 - Hocus Pocus (check-in 6:30 PM, movie 7 PM)
• Friday, November 13 - The Nightmare Before Christmas (movie 6:30 PM)
• Thursday, December 10 - Elf (movie 6:30 PM)

Brewery X in Anaheim offers family movie nights with movies playing on the big screen out on the lawn. Events run on select nights through August. See the schedule here.

Lake Mission Viejo offers Movies in the Moonlight with four movie nights from June through August. These movies are free to Lake Mission Viejo Association members and their guests.

Outdoor Movie FAQs

Are outdoor movies in Orange County free?

Most movies in the main schedule are free community events. Some locations may charge for parking, admission or require residency, membership or registration. Paid and visitor-only options are listed separately below.

What time do Movies in the Park start?

Many movies begin at dusk or sunset, while others list a specific start time. Pre-movie activities may begin earlier. Check the linked organizer for the latest schedule.

Can I bring chairs and food?

Many events allow blankets, low-back chairs and outside food, but each location sets its own rules. Check the organizer before attending.

What happens if the weather is bad?

Outdoor movies may be delayed, relocated or canceled because of weather or other conditions. Check the official event source for same-day updates.

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