Stay cool this summer with free or inexpensive movies

It is officially hot out there. If you’re looking for ways to avoid the heat, area movie theaters and libraries have got you covered with free or cheap movies. Area parks do, too, but they don’t come with air conditioning.

Garland Theater: Children’s movies are free at 9:30 a.m. weekdays all summer long. Through Friday, “Rock Dog” is showing. Starting Monday, it’s “The Secret Life of Pets.” Other shows planned for the summer include “Kubo and the Two Strings” and “Sing.”

Also, check out the Garland’s Summer Camp series on Tuesday nights. Many family-friendly shows are on the docket, including “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” (July 18), “The Princes Bride” (Aug. 1) and “My Neighbor Totoro” (Aug. 8). Tickets for those shows are $2.50. Tickets to regular shows are $5, except Wednesday when they’re $2.50. The Garland is at 924 W. Garland Ave. Showtimes: garlandtheater.com or (509) 327-1050.

Liberty Lake: Watch the stars under the stars in Liberty Lake, with free movies most weekends in July and August. “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” shows Saturday at Half Moon Park, Holl Boulevard at Indiana Avenue. Next weekend it’s “Finding Nemo” on Friday followed by “Finding Dory” on Saturday, both at Pavillion Park, 727 N. Molter Road. Other movies coming up include “Rogue One” (Aug. 12) and “Hidden Figures” (Aug. 18). For a complete schedule, visit www.pavillionpark.org/events.

Spokane Valley Regal Theater: It’s just a buck for a movie at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Spokane Valley Regal Theater throughout the summer. Each week there are two shows to pick from. This week, it’s “Rio 2” and “The Boxtrolls.” July 18-19, it’ll be “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Sing.” Part of the proceeds benefit the Will Rogers Institute. The theater is at 14760 E. Indiana Ave. For a schedule, visit: www.regmovies.com/movies/summer-movie-express.

Swim and a movie: The Northside and Southside Family Aquatics facilities combine two cool summer activities: swimming and screen time. First, a two-hour swim session starts at 6 p.m. Then move to the grass outside the pool area to watch a movie at dusk. Saturday, “The Secret Life of Pets” shows. Later this summer, it’ll be “Finding Dory” (July 22) and “Moana” (Aug. 5). Admission is $5, $4 for seniors 60 and older, $2.50 for children 3-5 and free for children 2 and younger. Northside Aquatics Center is at 18120 N. Hatch Road, Southside is at 3724 E. 61st Ave. For more information, visit www.spokanecounty.org/1657/Swim-and-a-Movie.

Movies in the Park: Spokane Valley hosts free movies in the park, with children’s activities starting an hour before showtime. First up, “The Secret Life of Pets” on July 14 at Mirabeau Park, 13500 E. Mirabeau Parkway, followed by “Sing” on July 28. On Aug. 11, the show moves to Valley Mission Park with “Finding Dory.” Movies start at sunset. Visit www.spokanevalley.org/moviesinthepark for more information.

Riverfront Park: There are two more shows left in the outdoor movie series at the downtown park. “Moana” shows Wednesday and “The Princess Bride” on July 19. Admission is $5 cash ($6 credit card), children 5 and younger free. There’s pre-show entertainment, trivia and food trucks. Seating opens at 7 p.m., the movie starts at dusk.

Libraries: Free afternoon movies are regularly on the calendar at area libraries. “Despicable Me 2” will show at 1:30 p.m. Friday at the Hillyard Library, 4005 N. Cook St. On July 14, “Big Hero 6” will screen at 1:30 p.m. at Hillyard, while “Moana” will show at 3 p.m. at the East Side Library, 524 S. Stone St. Find more on the calendar at www.spokanelibrary.org.