By Miriam Raftery

San Diego’s inland region has a variety of cinema options, including several movie theaters (some with upscale options), outdoor movies in the park for six months each year,  summer “dive-in” movies at a pool, and a desert film festival.

Beyond popcorn, many local theaters also offer a wide array of foods and even alcoholic beverages.

Scroll down for listings of movie theaters in our inland communities,  as well as where to find movies in the park and more.

East County News Service

May 21, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) -- The County of San Diego’s free “2024 Summer Movies in the Park” season starts at 6 p.m., Friday, May 24 with an event and sunset showing of the Oscar-winning blockbuster “Barbie” at the Waterfront Park downtown.  The full season includes more than 100 movies at dozens of parks countywide, including many in East County.

To celebrate the opening, there will be a variety of features and free fun for kids and families, including music, games, bounce houses, themed crafts, and other free activities. Although the movie starts at dusk, about 15 minutes past sunset, a host of free activities are expected to begin at 6 p.m. Make sure to bring a chair and blankets to cozy up for a night under the stars.

The first  East County showing will be on June 8, with “The Little Mermaid” 8 at Sweetwater Place Park Spring Valley and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem” at Dos Picos County Park in Ramona.

East County and inland San Diego locations for future movies now through August include Campo, El Cajon, Escondido, Flinn Springs, Julian, La Mesa, Lakeside, Lemon Grove, Pine Valley, Potrero, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Rolando, San Carlos, Skyline, and Spring Valley.

San Diego’s newest film festival screens nominated features, shorts, documentaries, and music videos

July 5, 2022 (San Diego) -- Celebrating the spirit and achievements of independent filmmakers, the San Diego Movie Awards holds its inaugural festival August 2-5, 2022. The festival highlights films with budgets under $1 million, and seeks to promote the work of independent film makers, not only in San Diego, but across the globe. The three days of screenings will take place in-person at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park. View trailer.

The festival also includes a benefit for the Alzheimer’s Association/San Diego and Imperial County on August 2, with a showing of “Not to Forget.”

May 15, 2020 (Santee) – Eager for entertainment?  It's showtime in Santee--with social distancing.

The Santee Drive-In movie theatre is set to reopen tonight. Theatre 1 will show Trolls World Tour starting at 8:30 p.m. and Onward at 10:10 p.m.; both are rated PG. Theatre 2 will show The Invisible Man at 8:30 p.m. and The Hunt at 9:45 p.m.; both are rated R.

Bring your own FM radio to listen; tune in to 89.3 FM for Theatre 1  or 89.7 FM for Theatre 2 . Loaner radios are available for a $20 deposit refundable on return.

The theatre accepts cash only. You’ll need to bring your own popcorn or other refreshments, since the snack bar will be closed, and follow these new rules:

East County News Service

May 31, 2018 (El Cajon) - Just in time for summer vacation, Regal's Summer Movie Express returns to Regal's Parkway Plaza Stadium 18 in Parkway Plaza and Edwards Rancho San Diego Stadium 15 in El Cajon.

Summer Movie Express shows films rated G and PG every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10:00 a.m. from June 19th to August 15th.  Admission is just $1.

The full schedule of films is below:

East County News Service

June 29, 2015 (San Diego) – You’re invited to the world premier of Visionary Dance Theatre’s fun, family-oriented adventure movie “Olivia’s Island Adventure.”  The film showing will be at the San Diego Performing Arts Center (4579 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego) on July 10 and 11 at 6:45 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 for individuals or $35 for a family four-pack.

Filmed in San Diego, “Olivia’s Island Adventure” is tale of courage, trust, and friendship.

By Miriam Raftery

Looking for some affordable family entertainment?  On Tuesday and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. all summer long, 350 Regal Entertainment group cinemas (including theaters in East County) are offering $1 movie showings. 

East County theaters include Edwards Rancho San Diego Stadium 15 and Regal Parkway Plaza Stadium 18 & IMAX, both in El Cajon. Click here to find the schedule for a theater near you.

Dollar days at the movies were a bargain back when I was in college a few decades ago, and an even bigger savings today, with inflation, especially for families with kids off for summer vacation in need of some entertaining options on a limited budget.

Films to be shown are listed below.

May 10, 2014 (Julian) – The third annual Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival is slated for May 16 and 17 in Julian, a historic mountain town in San Diego’s East County.   

“We have some awesome films and guest speakers lined up along with some great parties and special events,” promises Nancy Kramer, an organizer of the event.  “We'll introduce you to sports such as Canyoneering (exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping)  surfing on a remote Arctic Island, kayaking over waterfalls, and closer to home...roller-blading along the Mission Bay/Pacific Beach Boardwalk.”  Also watch two women in the field, one who studies whales and dolphins and another who save sloths as their rain forests habitats are clearcut.  Plus she added, “You'll fall in love with a young man who dedicates his time to introducing at-risk kids to the beauty of nature.” 

The third annual festival – which will be held May 16-17 at Julian High School multipurpose room  – is part of a 115-city nationwide tour that showcases award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, and indigenous cultures.

April 29, 2013 (Julian)--Following last year’s success, Julian’s 2nd Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival, benefiting Volcan Mountain Foundation, returns May 17 – 19, 2013. This year's festival features an expanded program of 44 new films, almost 12 hours of unrepeated screening time broken into 9 sessions from Friday evening to Sunday evening.

The weekend is packed full of entertainment to delight audiences of all ages, as well as other activities ranging from wine-tasting to a hike up  Volcan Mountain to a party with dancing and live music for festival attendees.

July 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –  A premiere screening of  Watershed, will debut at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on July 28 at 8:15 p.m.  Tickets go on sale today. 

The film tells the story of threats to the once-mighty Colorado River—and offers solutions for the future of the American west.   It is produced by the Redford Center, established by actor Robert Redford.

July 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--Dive into fun at the La Mesa Municipal Pool’s “Dive-in Movie” featuring “Toy Story 3” on Friday, July 15. Family and friends can enjoy viewing an outdoor movie from a spot on the pool deck or while floating in the heated pool.

August 6, 2010 (Allied Gardens) -- Bring your blankets and beach chairs for free movie night at the Allied Gardens Community Park 5155 Greenbrier, on Saturday, August 7th.  A showing of the family-friendly movie "Madagascar, Escape 2 Africa" will begin at dusk.

East County News Service

June 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Among the most unique summertime activities in East County are the “Hot Kroc Nights” and “Pool Flicks” offered by the Salvation Army Kroc Center. You've heard of a drive-in movie...now you can enjoy a "dive-in" showing--or cool off with iceskating at an NFL-sized rink.