Spokane Summer Movies and More
Even with all the outdoor activities available thanks to warmer weather and long, sunny days, and even with annual family reunions and road trips in the mix, summer remains prime time for movie lovers. There’s something about the freedom of the season that loosens our schedules and lets us find ways to spend a couple hours in darkness, exploring fantastic worlds, intimate storytelling and, sometimes, simple excuses to laugh our asses off. Here are a few ways to help make the movies part of your best summer.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6deda279519b098ab0437e5fa93dfa49 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=85a598e41bfe99fcba8b9f44c3a0ec62 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=5705d205bc7eb1d13d2eed2660c1b334 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=698832e77e099e30e2ea1b47b4b038d7 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=97b8a882f5dfa1199e78094b71529d3e 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=6c450b06d0ee710f5ad5b1da241d5024 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9a5c3e451ad6d5c55e69f01823d93d81 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=740856d31e092637a8d8b02eb99c349a 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/districts/BenMatthews_Garland_GarlandTheater-1010211-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=6d9f0da8ca07c38f853b081c0e3eec66 2728w)
Spokane's Garland Theater
I’d recommend a trip to the Garland Theater any time of year, really, because I love the place. Discounted movie prices ($5, and just $2.50 on Wednesdays), a nice little bar in the lobby (Bon Bon), top-notch grub to enjoy while you watch (get yourself a Porky’s Revenge sandwich and thank me later) all make it a sweet spot for catching a flick. In the summer, in addition to their regular programming, the Garland adds in free shows for kiddos every Monday through Friday at 9:30 am during summer break. And the Garland’s Summer Camp series of classics — of both the cult and traditional varieties — has some great ones on tap this summer, including The Goonies (June 19), They Live (June 26), Stand By Me (July 10) and The Outsiders (Aug. 7). Keep up at garlandtheater.com.
![Moonlit movies in spokane](https://visit-spokane.s3.amazonaws.com/images/inlander-blog-content/moonlit-movies.webp?v=1656626618)
Experience A Movie Under Moonlight
Many of us know the feeling of trying to create a romantic movie date night at home, only to realize that no matter how tasty the takeout, how pretty the flowers, how expensive the wine or how good the movie, you’re still basically just camping out on your couch like most nights. And that’s OK!
But if you really want to make a special evening, maybe leave it to the pros, like the folks at Spokane’s Moonlit Movies Co., who will set up an intimate bubble tent in the outdoor locale of your choosing, and fill it with a table, rugs, cozy pillows, cushions and blankets, as well as a screen and projector, for you to watch Casablanca, When Harry Met Sally, Blue Is the Warmest Colour — whatever your romantic jam is. Check out the available packages at moonlitmoviesco.com.
![Summer movie screening in Spokane](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=91dc48c691507e052cd9bdfdfae4049a 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=7968acae69f848a23cfd9987297c5b74 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=87276cf266fbc4a00bc9b85e6010a936 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=4075dbfa849bb532e5700250aa1522ae 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=1cd9a8dd86ba89563e56b9dc233226cd 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=2dd310f45359538c845938609dcaf3e6 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/riverfront_park_outdoor_movie_96756808-7c5e-4e70-ac2a-d446406d3efe.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=9739c4af17aa61f24183bd9ba6f39b87 1920w)
Upcoming Movie Screenings in Spokane
A couple spots in the area add movie screenings to their diverse array of activities each year, and this summer is no different. The HUB Sports Center is a place that on normal days is full of pickleballers, volleyballers, martial artists and more. On July 30, though, they’ll screen one of the all-time summer classics, Jaws, on their outdoor screen at 8:30 pm, and you can bring a car full of fans for $25.
The Pavilion in Riverfront Park hosts free movies in July and early August at 8:30 pm, and the lineup in 2024 includes
Saturday, July 6: Barbie featuring Beyond Pink
Tuesday, July 9: Bob Marley's One Love
Tuesday, July 23: Wish featuring Spokane Princess Portal
Tuesday, August 20: Hook
Saturday, August 24: Dreamin' Wild featuring Donnie and Nancy Emerson
Sunday, September 8: Godzilla x King Kong
More information at hubsportscenter.org and riverfrontspokane.org.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=d8fdf6a8a96245d04b86e505ac0d9aa0 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d787e9d797e36d5d634e8e91933c3ef8 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=555219cdb8f02db79f7ad989347fd0ea 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=53ca991192d3e0ce707048812be3fa56 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=c1f860dc8376cffa8a5ea202a624df67 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=25817a6a18ecbd531f7ca4746dd3b0be 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=f50232c1495646484fcfe4f9856e3f8a 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/inlander-blog-content/AutoVue_DMH3946.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=d8688665d3da5773cd40867146207a32 2000w)
Spokane's Drive-In Theater
While the pandemic led to the creation of pop-up outdoor movie screens both in parks and backyards, there’s no beating the experience of going to a real old-timey drive-in. And the Inland Northwest actually has one in Colville’s Auto-Vue Drive-In Theatre, which has been screening flicks in the summer since the 1950s. It’s 70 miles or so north of Spokane, so you can enjoy a mini road trip, some small-town ambience, and then a double-feature at dusk.
The Auto-Vue’s season typically runs until just after Labor Day, and you can scope out the schedule on the theater’s Facebook page. It’s only $7 for an adult ticket, $3 for kids 11 and under, and on Sunday nights you can cram a car full of friends and family in for just $15 total. The box office opens Fri-Sun at 8 pm. For details, Facebook: Auto-Vue Drive-In Theatre.