We love to give our kids fun experiences that don’t require us to check our bank account first, and we suspect that’s true for you, too. To help you out, we compile this list of FREE and really cheap movies you and your family can enjoy each month in Tampa Bay.

Plus! Find out what AMC Theater’s sensory-friendly film will be showing!

Gather up the kids and head on out! Here’s what’s playing in January:

~~~ FREE MOVIES ~~~

Sunsets at Pier 60 Sunset Theatre
Time: Movies begin at dusk (Approx. 6 p.m.)
Date: Every Friday and Saturday night, weather permitting
Location: Pier 60
Cost: FREE; Popcorn and soft drinks are available for sale
Info: (727) 449-1036; Pier 60 Website

What’s Doing?
Sunsets at Pier 60 is a daily FREE family festival that includes artisans and crafters, street performers, musical entertainment and, of course, a beautiful sunset every night! Every Friday and Saturday night, you can also enjoy a FREE film screening. Bring a blanket or low chair, and watch a movie on the jumbo screen.

— Friday, January 11: Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride/PG
— Saturday, January 12: The Bourne Legacy/PG-13
— Friday, January 18: Cirque de Soleil – Kooza (all ages)
— Saturday, January 19: Dark Shadows/PG-13
— Friday, January 15: Cirque de Soleil – Ka Extreme (all ages)
— Saturday, January 26: Moonrise Kingdom/PG-13

Address:
Sunsets at Pier 60
10 Pier 60 Drive
Clearwater, FL 33767

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Movies in the Park
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Date: Friday, January 11, 2013 (This event takes place the 2nd Friday of each month from January through March and then again from October through December.)
Location: Baybridge Park
Cost: FREE
Info: Westchase Community Association Calendar

What’s Doing?
Westchase’s FREE family movies in the park continues. Bring chairs and blankets and settle in for a great movie night. Showing this month: Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted/PG

Address:
Baybridge Park
10017 Bridgeton Drive
Tampa, FL 33626

Thanks for forwarding the 2013 information, Deirdre T.!

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NOTE: This movie event will resume again in Spring 2013.

Spring & Fall Free For All
Time: Movies begin at dusk
Date: NO MOVIE IN JANUARY (The 3rd Friday of each month, except October, six months each year)
Location: Sims Park
Cost: FREE
Info: (727) 967-6726; New Port Richey Cultural Affairs Website

What’s Doing?
The City of New Port Richey’s Cultural Affairs Committee hosts the Spring & Fall Free For All featuring a FREE family movie in the park on the third Friday of each month (except October) six months each year in Sims Park. Bring your own chairs or a blanket, food and non-alcoholic beverages, and spend some quality time with family and friends. Arrive early to find your spot and let the kids play at the playground. Rainy nights doesn’t stop the fun! In case of rain, the movie will be shown inside Queen of Peace Hall, located directly behind the Sims Park Bandshell.

Address:
Sims Park
6341 Bank Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652

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Firefighters’ Movies In The Park
Time: Dusk
Date: Saturday, January 12, 2013
Location: England Brothers Park
Cost: FREE to see the movie; Food and drinks available for purchase
Info: (727) 687-4494; Website

What’s Doing?
Pinellas Park Firefighters’ host this FREE outdoor family movie event every month, raising money for their Benevolent Fund by selling hot dogs and hamburgers, as well as candy, popcorn, nachos and drinks. The Benevolent Fund helps victims and families in the community throughout the holidays.

Address:
England Brothers Bandshell Park
5010 81st Avenue North
Pinellas Park, FL 33781

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Chick-fil-A Movie Night Series
Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Seating will begin at 6 p.m.)
Date: Saturday, January 26, 2013
Location: Chick-fil-A at North Dale Mabry
Cost: FREE movie and Icedream (after the movie begins), you pay only for your food
Info: (813) 908-0787 for information concerning delays or changes; Chick-fil-A at North Dale Mabry Facebook Page

What’s Doing?
Each month FREE ice cream is served to any guest who wants it once the movie begins. Showing this month: How to Train Your Dragon (G)

Address:
Chick-fil-A at North Dale Mabry
15801 North Dale Mabry Highway
Carrollwood, FL 33618

Image courtesy of DreamWorks™

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~~~ REALLY CHEAP MOVIES ~~~

Ruskin Family Drive-In
Time: Box Office will open at 7 p.m. (Fri. & Sat.) and 7:30 p.m. (Sun.-Thurs.)
Date: Nightly
Location: Ruskin Family Drive-In
Cost: $6/person, $1/child (age 5-8), FREE for children 4 years old and younger (CASH ONLY; admission includes BOTH movies); Food and drinks available for purchase at the concession stand
Info: Ruskin Family Drive-In Website

What’s Doing?
Bring the kids out to experience a bit of yesteryear at Hillsborough County’s only digital drive-in theatre. Visit the Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre website to find out movies are being shown this month.

Address:
Ruskin Family Drive-In
5011 US Highway 41 North
Ruskin, FL 33572

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Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop
Time: Box Office will open at 7 p.m. (Closed Mon. & Tues.)
Date: Wednesday through Sunday nights
Location: Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop
Cost: $4/adult, $1/child (age 4-9); Food and drinks available for purchase at the snack bar
Info: (352) 567-5085; Joy-Lan Drive-In Website

What’s Doing?
Enjoy a family evening at the drive-in! Contact the theater for movies coming in January.

Address:
Joy-Lan Drive-In & Swap Shop
On US Highway 301 near Jordan Road
North of Dade City, FL 33523

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Sci-fi & Sky Night
Time: 5:30-10:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, January 19, 2013
Location: Science & Technology Education Innovation Center
Cost: $5 donation to support STEM Education (includes all activities)
Info: (727) 384-0027; Science Center of Pinellas Website

What’s Doing?
Catch a showing of Star Wars Episode IV, join in a costume contest, view Planetarium shows, and more during this classic Sci-fi & Sky Night at the Science Center of Pinellas. Here’s the schedule of events:
— 5:30 p.m.: Doors open
— 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. & 10 p.m.: Planetarium shows by the St. Pete Astronomy Club (limited availability)
— 7 p.m.: “Discovery of the God Particle” by Brian Southworth, Physicist with ASPEC
— 8 p.m.: Star Wars Episode IV begins
— 9 p.m.: Intermission and costume contest
— 9:30 p.m.: Star Wars Episode IV resumes

Address:
Science & Technology Education Innovation Center
7701 22nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710

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Family Movie Series at the Capitol Theatre
Time: 3 p.m.
Date: Sunday, January 27, 2013
Location: Capitol Theatre
Cost: $5/person; FREE parking
Info: (727) 791-7400; Capitol Theatre Website

What’s Doing?
Bring the family for a movie at the historic Capitol Theatre, constructed in 1921. This classic structure features a large mezzanine and furnishings reminiscent of a classic Hollywood theater, and is one of the oldest operating theatres in Florida. The theatre reportedly began as a vaudeville theater and movie house, and many of the world’s best performed have graced its stage over the last century.

On Sunday, you and the kids can watch the movie Labyrinth (PG), starring David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly, in this beautiful theater.

Address:
Capitol Theatre
405 Cleveland Street
Clearwater, FL 33755

The Family Movie Series ad was published in the January 2013 edition of Tampa Bay Parenting magazine.

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~~~ SENSORY-FRIENDLY MOVIE ~~~

AMC Sensory-Friendly Films
Time: 10 a.m.
Date: Saturday, January 5, 2013
Location: Participating AMC Theaters
Cost: Regular ticket prices apply
Info: AMC Theaters Sensory-Friendly Films Website

What’s Doing?
AMC Theaters, in partnership with The Autism Society, offer AMC Sensory-Friendly Films to families affected by autism. Come watch in a safe and accepting environment. The auditoriums dedicated to the program have their lights up, the sound turned down, and audience members are invited to get up and dance, walk, shout or sing.

— Saturday, January 5: Monsters, Inc. 2-D/G

(NOTE: Dates and films are subject to change.)

Address:
AMC The Regency 20
2496 West Brandon Boulevard
Brandon, FL 33511

AMC Veterans Expressway 24
9302 Anderson Road
Tampa, FL 33634

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RELATED LINKS:
1. Check the WDTB calendar to find more family-friendly events happening around the Tampa Bay area in January.
2. FREE (Or Almost FREE) Crafts for Kids: January 2012

Popcorn Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Film Poster Images are from IMDB.
Find movie information, ratings, cast listings and more at IMDB.