Summer Movies in the Park returns to San Diego County

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Nextdoor
  • Email

When the big screen goes up at Waterfront Park, you know Summer Movies in the Park is here. | Photo via County of San Diego Department of Parks + Recreation

Let’s skip the previews and get to the main attraction: Summer Movies in the Park kicks off its 2022 run this Saturday. For the past 15 years, the beloved community event has offered family-friendly screenings under the stars at neighborhood parks across the county, giving locals a chance to safely enjoy the public spaces. It’s the largest free, outdoor movie series in San Diego County, with 80+ hosting sites and more than 100 movies playing now through October.

Pro tip: The flicks typically start about 15 minutes after sunset and you should bring a chair or blankets — and a picnic. Here’s a sizzle reel featuring some of what’s playing + where.

🎥 May highlights

  • Encanto ” | Sat., May 28 | 6 p.m. | Waterfront Park, Embarcadero | Apologies, but we do talk about Bruno: The Disney flick is the first screening of the Summer Movies in the Park series.

📽️ June highlights

  • Raya and the Last Dragon ” | Fri., June 3 | 5:30 p.m. | Silver Wing Neighborhood Park, Otay Mesa West
  • The Princess Bride ” | Fri., June 10 | 7 p.m. | Felicita County Park, Escondido
  • Sing 2 ” | Fri., June 17 | 7 p.m. | Golden Hill Community Park, Golden Hill
  • Luca ” | Fri., June 24 | 7 p.m. | Flinn Springs County Park, El Cajon

🎬 July highlights

  • Rookie of the Year ” | Sun., July 3 | 6:30 p.m. | Sweetwater Summit Regional Park, Bonita
  • The Sandlot ” | Fri., July 8 | 5 p.m. | Robert Egger Sr. South Bay Community Park, South Bay
  • Spider-Man: No Way Home ” | Sat., July 16 | 6:30 p.m. | Brengle Terrace Park, Vista
  • The Little Rascals ” | Sat., July 23 | 6 p.m. | Bay Terrace Community Park, Paradise Hills
  • PAW Patrol: The Movie ” | Fri., July 29 | 6:30 p.m. | Dusty Rhodes Park, Ocean Beach

Summer Movies in the Park runs from Sat., May 28-Sat., Oct. 29, across 80+ sites countywide. | Photo via County of San Diego Department of Parks + Recreation

🍿 August highlights

  • Coco ” | Fri., Aug. 5 | 8 p.m. | Vista Terrace Swimming Pool, San Ysidro
  • Sing 2 ” | Fri., Aug. 12 | 6 p.m. | La Jolla Community Park, La Jolla
  • Thor: Ragnarok ” | Sat., Aug. 20 | 6 p.m. | Otay Lakes Community Park, Chula Vista
  • The Princess Bride ” | Fri., Aug. 26 | 6 p.m. | San Dieguito County Park, Del Mar

📽️ September highlights

  • Luca ” | Fri., Sept. 2 | 7 p.m. | City Heights Swimming Pool, City Heights
  • Young Frankenstein ” | Sat., Sept. 10 | 5:30 p.m. | Lindo Lake County Park, Lakeside
  • Rumble ” | Sat., Sept. 17 | 6:30 p.m. | Hilton Head County Park, El Cajon
  • Soul ” | Fri., Sept. 23 | 5:30 p.m. | La Mesita Park, La Mesa

🎬 October highlights

  • Jumanji ” | Fri., Oct. 7 | 5:30 p.m. | North Park Mini Park, North Park
  • Sing 2 ” | Fri., Oct. 14 | 5 p.m. | Nobel Community Park, University City
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas ” | Fri., Oct. 21 | 5 p.m. | MacArthur Park, La Mesa
  • Coco ” | Fri., Oct. 28 | 4:30 p.m. | Carmel Mountain Ranch Community Park, Carmel Mountain
  • Hocus Pocus ” | Sat., Oct. 29 | 4:30 p.m. | Potrero County Park, Potrero
  • Ghostbusters: Afterlife ” | Sat., Oct. 29 | 6 p.m. | Waterfront Park, Embarcadero | This marks the final event of the season — at the very same location where it started 6 months ago.

For you movie buffs: Peep the full 2022 schedule of Summer Movies in the Park.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Nextdoor
  • Email
Monica is based in San Diego, California. She was previously a senior digital media producer and podcast host at NBC 7 San Diego + The Scene, and has been in the news biz since 2005. She loves hiking, the beach, and family days with her husband and two kids.