Enjoying a great movie with the whole family is a terrific summertime activity, but who says you have to be cooped up in a dark movie theater to do it? Wouldn't it be more fun to catch a flick under the stars on a balmy and beautiful summer evening and not have to pay a small fortune to treat the family to the movies?

Well, South Puget Sound families, rejoice! Family outdoor cinema events are happening in a community near you this summer, and all offer terrific family and community fun at no cost. All you have to do is grab your blankets, lawn chairs and snacks and load up the kids for a fun summertime evening out. Check out our preview guide of upcoming outdoor cinema events in the South Puget Sound. 

Tacoma (Metro Parks)

Metro Parks Tacoma continues its mobile outdoor summer movie tradition. The Summer Bash event, in partnership with Click! Mobile Movies, brings the magic of great family film to Tacoma-area parks and events this summer. Most movies are in conjunction with Summer Bash and other special community events that families can enjoy before the movie. All movies begin at dusk; admission is free. Here's the schedule, so have your calendars at the ready:

July 26: The Lego Movie, Wright Park, 501 I St., (after Ethnic Fest, which runs from noon to 7 p.m.).

Aug. 5: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, Peoples Park, 900 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Way (held in conjunction with National Night Out at People's Center).

Aug. 8: Hotel Transylvania, Kandle Park, 2323 N. Shirley St., (movie only, no extra event or special entertainment).

Aug. 15: Despicable Me 2, Star Center, 3873 S. 66th St., (in conjunction with the Summer Bash event).

Aug. 22: Planes, Center at Norpoint, 4818 Nassau Ave. NE, (in conjunction with the Summer Bash event).

Aug. 29: Frozen, Stewart Heights, 402 E. 56th St., (in conjunction with the Summer Bash event).   

Sept. 13: ParaNorman, Wright Park, 501 I St., (in conjunction with the Zombie Run).

For more information about the outdoor cinema and all of the other aforementioned events, visit metroparkstacoma.org.

Lacey

Lacey Parks and Recreation is pleased to present its outdoor Cinema Series that runs each Saturday from July 12 through Aug. 9 beginning at dusk. Bonus: there are two nights during which families can catch a double feature! All movies will be shown at Huntamer Park in Woodland Square, located at 618 Woodland Square Loop SE. Concessions will be available. For more information, visit ci.lacey.wa.us.

July 12: Cars

July 19: Double Feature: Mary Poppins and Saving Mr. Banks

July 26: Elf

Aug. 2: The Lego Movie

Aug. 9: Double Feature: Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2

Lakewood

Lakewood's SummerFEST community event and celebration takes place on July 12 at Fort Steilacoom Park, located at 8714 87th Ave. SW. At dusk, a family friendly outdoor movie will be part of the many festivities. In fact, the city is asking community members to vote on what movie should be shown at this year's festival. Movie admission is at no charge.

Gig Harbor

The 2014 Cinema Gig Outdoor Movies in the Park in Gig Harbor offers two kinds of outdoor cinema experiences this summer: Friday Night Date Night (for adults) and Saturday Night Family Night. Admission is free. Here is the family movie lineup. To learn more about the movies, visit cityofgigharbor.net. Note: movie times are approximate. All family movies take place at Skansie Brothers Park at 3207 Harborview Dr.

July 12: The Black Stallion, 9:15 p.m.

July 26: Little Giants, 9:00 p.m.

Aug. 9:  WALL-E, 8:30 p.m.

Aug. 23:  The Jungle Book, 8:15 p.m.

Fife

The city of Fife is excited to offer two outdoor movies this summer presented by Click! and Tacoma's Grand Cinema. Movies play on a 24-foot inflatable screen and begin at dusk. Admission is free. Both films are playing at Dacca Park, located at 2820 54th Ave. E. in Fife. Visit the city's website for more information at http://www.cityoffife.org.

July 19: Despicable Me 2

Aug. 23: Frozen