Keep cool at these summer movie events

The family eating popcorn in the cinema
Summer movies are a cool way to stay out of the heat. iStock.com

There will be plenty of new movies opening in theaters during the traditional blockbuster month of July. But there are also plenty of places to watch fascinating documentaries or second-run films, often at low prices. Some include water fun!

Here’s a roundup of cool summer movie events for kids and families:

Bugs! 3-D

This film uses cutting-edge macroscopic technology to bring viewers face-to-face with the insect world. Shows twice daily on the Irene P Flinn IMAX Theater’s 5-story screen. Continues through Oct. 6. $9; $8 ages 3-17; does not include general admission. Arizona Science Center, 600 E Washington St., Phoenix. 602-716-2000 or azscience.org.

Children’s Summer Series

All ages will enjoy these G-rated movies. 11 a.m. weekdays. $3. Studio Movie Grill, 15515 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale. 480-991-3106 or studiomoviegrill.com.

  • July 4-8: “Horton Hears a Who”
  • July 11-15: “The Peanuts Movie”
  • July 18-22: “Chicken Run”
  • July 25-30: “Rio”

Dive ‘n’ Movies

Catch a movie while floating under the stars at the wave pool. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday. Free with admission: $19.99 after 4 p.m.; free ages 2 and younger. Wet ‘n’ Wild Phoenix, 4243 W. Pinnacle Park Road, Glendale. 623-201-2000 or wetnwildphoenix.com.

  • July 7-8: “Goosebumps” (PG)
  • July 14-15: “Ant Man” (PG-13)
  • July 21-22: “Inside Out” (PG)
  • July 28-29: “The Good Dinosaur” (PG)

Harkins Theatres Summer Movie Fun

Family-friendly films with a PG rating. 9:45 a.m. weekdays (doors open at 9am). $2 per movie or $7 for 10 movies. Harkins Theatres Valleywide. harkinstheatres.com/smf.

  • July 4-8: “The SpongeBob Movie”
  • July 11-15: “Hotel Transylvania 2”
  • July 18-22: “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”
  • July 25-29: “Walking with Dinosaurs”

Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Secret Ocean

The son of ocean pioneer Jacques Cousteau offers a breakthrough look at a secret world within the ocean. Shows twice daily on the Irene P Flinn IMAX Theater’s 5-story screen. Continues through Oct. 6. $9 adults ($6 members), $8 ages 3-17 ($5 members); does not include general admission. Arizona Science Center, 600 E Washington St, Phoenix. 602-716-2000 or azscience.org.

Summer Movie Marathon

All ages. Enjoy newly released G- or PG-rated movies. Noon to 2 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday in July (except July 4). Free. Peoria Main Library, 8463 W Monroe St, Peoria. 623-773-7562 or library.peoriaaz.gov.

Know of an event we missed? Contact liz@RAKmagazine.com