Regal Summer Movie Express (2026 Season Has Ended — Save This for Next Summer)
This is the one most Triangle parents mean when they say "the dollar movies." Regal runs its Summer Movie Express at participating theaters every summer. They show select kid-friendly titles, which are a mix of recent hits and slightly older favorites.
The 2026 program ran from June 1 through August 13, so it is over for the year — do not drive over expecting a $1 ticket in the fall. I am leaving the details here as a benchmark: shows were scheduled for 11 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, tickets were $1 per person, and ticket holders got a coupon for $3 off a kids snack pack. Watch Regal's site starting in May for the 2027 dates.
Regal Crossroads Cary
Best ages: All ages, but especially ages 4 to 10.
Address: 501 Caitboo Ave, Cary, NC 27518
Parking: Large, free open lot. It gets busy on rainy days, so give yourself extra time to find a spot.
Cost: $1 per ticket. Online bookings have an additional fee, so buy at the box office if you want to save every penny.
When to go: Mondays through Thursdays at 11 a.m. during the summer run.
Honest mom tip: This theater is huge, but these cheap morning shows attract summer camps. If you see a school bus pull up, prepare for a loud lobby. Buy your tickets online the night before if you want to guarantee seats on a rainy Tuesday.Regal Brier Creek Raleigh
Best ages: Toddlers through teens.
Address: 8611 Brier Creek Pkwy, Raleigh, NC 27617
Parking: Massive free parking lot in the Brier Creek Commons shopping center.
Cost: $1 per ticket.
When to go: Mondays through Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Honest mom tip: The seats here are ultra-comfy recliners with adjustable settings. This makes it a personal favorite for moms who want to sneak in a quick rest while the kids watch the film. Bring a light jacket or blanket because the air conditioning in this location is always set to freezing.Regal North Hills Raleigh
Best ages: Ages 5 and up.
Address: 4150 Main at North Hills St, Raleigh, NC 27609
Parking: Free parking decks nearby, but navigating North Hills traffic with kids in tow can be stressful.
Cost: $1 per ticket.
When to go: Mondays through Thursdays at 11 a.m.
Honest mom tip: Keep in mind that North Hills has a strict youth escort policy. Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 8 p.m., which will not affect your morning movie but is good to know. Make a day of it by grabbing lunch at one of the nearby spots after the movie, but watch your kids closely in the busy parking decks.Note: The Regal Beaver Creek location in Apex closed permanently in August 2024 and is being converted into a fitness center, so do not head to that location for dollar movies this year.
AMC Summer Movie Camp (2026 Season Has Ended)
AMC's version is called Summer Movie Camp. It ran select family films on select Mondays and Wednesdays from June 22 through August 12, 2026, and that window has closed for the year. When it returns next summer, tickets are typically $3 plus tax when purchased at the box office, with titles that tend to be popular animated favorites like Paddington in Peru, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, and The Lego Movie.
AMC Southpoint 17 Durham
Best ages: Ages 3 to 12.
Address: 8030 Renaissance Pkwy, Durham, NC 27713
Parking: Free mall parking at The Streets at Southpoint. The theater entrance area can get congested.
Cost: $3 per ticket at the box office. Online tickets usually have an added convenience fee.
When to go: Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Honest mom tip: The 2 p.m. showtime is a lifesaver for families who still have kids taking morning naps. You can get your morning routine done, eat lunch at home, and head to the theater to beat the hottest part of the afternoon.AMC Park Place 16 Morrisville
Best ages: All ages.
Address: 9525 Chapel Hill Rd, Morrisville, NC 27560
Parking: Large free parking lot.
Cost: $3 per ticket at the box office.
When to go: Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Honest mom tip: This location is generally less chaotic than the Southpoint mall location. It is a great alternative if you want a quieter arrival experience. Free Library Screenings
Wake County, Durham County, and Chapel Hill's library systems all run free family movie events, though the specific series and schedule shift through the year rather than sitting on a fixed weekly slot. These are gold for the under-5 crowd: free, indoors, and nobody cares if your toddler narrates the whole story or needs to stand up and wiggle. For the full rundown of what each Triangle library system offers beyond movies, see our guide to free library perks.
Wake County Public Library
Best ages: All ages, with programs pitched by branch.
Cost: Free; some screenings ask you to register in advance.
When to go: Wake County runs a rotating "Movies at the Library" series at branches across Raleigh, Cary, and the rest of the county. Check wake.gov/library-events for the current title and branch before you go, since it moves around.
Honest mom tip: Some of these are billed as an "interactive movie experience" with activities and light snacks, so they run a little longer than just the film. Bring a pillow or blanket if the listing mentions floor seating.Durham County Library
Best ages: All ages.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Durham County Library hosts occasional themed family screenings, tied to programs like Hispanic Heritage Month, rather than a standing weekly slot. Check durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com for what is currently scheduled.
Honest mom tip: These tend to be smaller and more low-key than the outdoor series, which makes them a good pick for a toddler who cannot handle a loud crowd.Chapel Hill Public Library
Best ages: Toddlers, preschoolers, and early elementary.
Address: 100 Library Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Parking: Free parking lot, but it can fill up quickly during events.
Cost: Free.
When to go: The library's own "Movies Under the Stars" series at the Forest Theatre runs in the summer (it wrapped in mid-August 2026), not the fall. Check the library's online event calendar for any indoor screenings before you go.
Honest mom tip: The library is surrounded by Pritchard Park, which has lovely paved walking trails. If you are there for a storytime or another event and the kids get restless, you can slip out the back door and let them run off energy on the playground.Outdoor Movie Nights
Now that fall evening temperatures have dropped to a bearable level, the Triangle's free outdoor movie series are the best cheap night out on this whole list — see our full guide to outdoor movies and drive-ins for even more options. Bring a blanket, some lawn chairs, and a picnic dinner.
Durham Central Park Fall Film Series
Best ages: All ages.
Address: Durham Central Park, 501 Foster Street, Durham, NC 27701
Parking: Street parking and nearby lots around downtown Durham; it can be tight on event nights.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Durham Parks and Recreation's fall series runs on select Saturdays from September through November, with movies starting at 7:30 p.m. Confirm the current date and title on the city's Fall Film Series page before you go, since a rain date can shift things.
Honest mom tip: Food trucks are usually on site, so you do not have to pack a full dinner. Get there early to stake out lawn space before the crowd builds.First Friday Market & Movie Night at Moore Square
Best ages: All ages, with plenty for teens too since it doubles as a market and concert.
Address: Moore Square, 200 S. Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Parking: Downtown Raleigh street parking and nearby decks; budget extra time on a First Friday.
Cost: Free.
When to go: This runs the first Friday of the month from spring through fall. The market and food trucks start around 5 p.m., live music around 5:30 p.m., and the movie starts around 7:15 p.m. Check Downtown Raleigh's event page for the current month's title.
Honest mom tip: This is as much a downtown street festival as it is a movie night, so if your kids lose interest in the film there is a whole market and live band to wander over to instead.Downtown Cary Park
Best ages: All ages.
Address: 327 S Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511
Parking: Street parking or the parking deck on Town Hall Campus. It requires some walking.
Cost: Free, no registration required.
When to go: Movie nights run spring through fall at the Great Lawn Pavilion. Lawn seating opens at 5 p.m., a free pre-show activity starts at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at dusk. Check the park's online calendar for the current month's title and date.
Honest mom tip: This park is incredible, but it is massive. Keep a close eye on your kids because the playground and water features are highly distracting. Arrive at least 45 minutes early to claim a good spot on the Great Lawn, and bring towels in case your kids decide to splash in the water before the movie starts.Apex Senior Center
Best ages: Families with kids of all ages.
Address: 63 Hunter Street, Apex, NC 27502
Parking: Free parking lot on site.
Cost: Free.
When to go: Apex has hosted family movie nights here in past summers, but I could not confirm a fall 2026 date on the town's calendar as of this writing — check the Town of Apex events page before planning around it.
Honest mom tip: The town of Apex occasionally hosts indoor or outdoor family movie nights here or at the nearby Halle Cultural Arts Center. These are very community-oriented and relaxed. Bring your own snacks to keep costs at zero.How to Pick the Best Movie Option for Your Family
If you have toddlers or preschoolers: Stick to the library screenings. They are free, shorter, and the environment is incredibly forgiving. You can walk out at any time without feeling like you wasted money.
If you want a cheap night out this fall: Pick whichever of the three outdoor series lands closest to you — Durham Central Park, Moore Square, or Downtown Cary Park. They are free and run through November.
If you want the absolute cheapest theater experience: Bookmark this guide and come back in June for Regal's $1 Summer Movie Express. In the meantime, Regal and AMC both still sell everyday matinee pricing that beats a prime-time ticket.
If you want a relaxed weekend evening in cooler weather: Choose one of the outdoor movies. It feels like a special event, pairs well with a stop at one of the best fall festivals in the Triangle that same weekend, and the kids can run around on the grass if they lose interest in the screen.Frequently Asked Questions
Are the $1 Regal and $3 AMC summer movies still happening in the fall?
No. Both the 2026 Regal Summer Movie Express (June 1 through August 13) and the AMC Summer Movie Camp (June 22 through August 12) have ended for the season. Both programs return each summer, so check back in late May. For a cheap movie option right now, the free fall outdoor movie series and library screenings above are your best bet.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for the $1 and $3 movies?
Yes, it is highly recommended. While you can buy tickets at the box office to avoid online convenience fees, these shows sell out quickly on rainy days or during hot weeks. If you decide to buy at the theater, arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before showtime.
Are these movies appropriate for very young children?
Most of the films shown in these summer programs are rated G or PG. They are older releases, so you can easily look up the parent reviews on Common Sense Media before you go. The theater environment during these morning shows is much louder and more relaxed than a typical evening screening, so you do not need to worry about a crying baby or a talkative toddler.
Can I bring my own snacks to the theater?
Official theater policies prohibit outside food and drink. However, Regal offers a discount on their junior snack packs for Summer Movie Express attendees. If you have dietary restrictions or need to bring small toddler snacks, pack them discreetly in your diaper bag.
