I strive to see at least one outdoor movie during the warm weather months. During the pandemic, I even purchased an outdoor movie projector so we could still have movie nights with family and friends. (Those were likely the ones where I had the most fun!)
In the Charlotte area, outdoor movie season starts a little sooner than in areas with a cooler climate. Take advantage of this opportunity by visiting one of these movie venues. Be sure to check their websites for the most up-to-date showtimes.
- Belmont Drive-In (314 McAdenville Road, Belmont, NC; 704-825-6044) Embrace the old school experience of a drive-in movie at the Belmont Drive-In. You’ll get two movies in one visit. Bring an FM radio (not a phone app; they don’t work at the theater) so that you can hear the audio of the movie. And don’t forget cash; Belmont Drive-In does not take credit cards. Upcoming movie: Lilo and Stitch on May 23rd
- Movie Night at Rea Farms (9855 Sandy Rock Place, Charlotte, NC) Every Friday night in May will provide you with a stellar family movie under the stars. BYO lawn chairs and blankets, and if you forget your snacks, there’s plenty of local restaurants in the area where you can pick up what you need. Upcoming movies: Space Jam on May 2nd; Freaky Friday on May 9th; Flubber on May 16th; Parent Trap on May 23rd; Nutty Professor on May 30th
- Stowe Park Pavilion: Belmont Movies in the Park (24 South Main Street, Belmont, NC): The 2025 schedule is live on their website, and there’s also free arcade games and cornhole to enjoy. The cool thing about this venue is that the outdoor movies continue all the way into December, with a showing of Elf! Super fun on a not-so-cold night! Upcoming movies: Finding Nemo on May 3rd; Mary Poppins on May 17th; Lilo and Stitch on May 31st
- Movie Night at Cabarrus Brewing Company (10099 Weddington Road, Concord, NC) This monthly outdoor movie night runs until December and starts a little earlier than many of the other spots (7:00pm), which may work better for the younger kids. Upcoming movie: Inside Out on May 9th
- Carolina Beer Temple: Monthly Movie Nights (215 North Ames Street, Matthews, NC) Retro arcade games and concessions for sale at this outdoor movie venue, which plays a different movie once a month from now until December. Upcoming movie: Spaceballs on May 24th
- Seoul Food Outdoor Movie Nights (421 East 26th Street, Charlotte, NC) Multiple outdoor movie nights are held throughout the month (though not on the first Friday of each month, which is reserved for the Asian Market). Upcoming movies: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on May 4th; Big Hero 6 on May 9th; My Neighbor Totoro on May 16th; Spirited Away on May 17th; Howl’s Moving Castle on May 18th; Wish Dragon on May 23rd; Raya and the Last Dragon on May 30th
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on all things Charlotte!
