Select Marcus Theatres and Movie Tavern locations are showing 12 family-friendly movies this summer for during their Kids Dream Family Film Series. The series begins June 9, 2024 and goes through August 29, 2024, featuring movies such as Shrek, Minions: The Rise of Gru, Trolls Band Together, and more. The movies will play Sundays through Thursdays.

Admission to all 12 movies is available via the "Kids Dream Passport - Summer 2024" for $18. Individual ticket purchases are not currently available for the movies that are part of this series.

Participating locations are listed below. To purchase tickets and for more information, please visit Kids Dream Passport - Summer 2024 on the Marcus Theatres website.

Differences from Past Years

We've been reporting on family-friendly summer movie events at Marcus Theatres since 2006, when they were known as "Kids Rule." That provides us with some perspective and the ability to notice the changes that have been made since that time.

Historically, tickets were sold for each movie separately. In 2023, that price was $3 per person. American Family Insurance sponsored the movie series, and traditionally offered two free passes when you visit a special page on their website. That made it possible to see one movie with one adult and one child for free. We could not find that offer this year.

Last year, they introduced the "Kids Dream Passport" which bundled the eight movies in the series for a $15 ticket price. They have now taken that package and made it the only option. Additionally, they offered promotional-sized popcorns and drinks previously for $3 each during these showings, but that promotion is not mentioned either.

One final difference is that the movies this year are being shown on Sundays through Thursdays, which are traditionally slower days for many movie theaters. Last year, the movies were shown on Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Our Take

It's understandable that Marcus Theatres would want to sell an entire movie series for $18 than individual movies for $3, and that they want to sell concessions at full price instead of discounted prices, and that the sponsor wouldn't want to give away $18 tickets instead of two $3 tickets. However, these changes when considered together make attending these summer movies a less compelling option. Unless you're planning to attend more than six of the twelve movies, the per-movie cost is higher than it has been in the past. I can't help but think that attendance will decrease when compared to past years, but time will tell. We'll have to watch for the details to come out for next summer's movie series as a way of inferring the success or failure of these changes.

Movie Series Schedule

This schedule lineup is accurate as of the writing of this article, but the lineup could change and without notice. Please verify the movie being shown at the theater you wish to attend.

For more information about the movies being shown, please select the movie title below.

June 9-13, 2024 - Minions: The Rise of Gru [2022]

June 16-20, 2024 - Sonic the Hedgehog [2020]

June 23-27, 2024 - Under the Boardwalk [2023]

June 30 - July 4, 2024 - Trolls Band Together [2023]

July 7-11, 2024 - The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie [2004]

July 14-18, 2024 - PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie [2023]

July 21-25, 2024 - Migration [2023]

July 28 - August 1, 2024 - Jungle Bunch: Operation Meltdown

August 3-8, 2024 - Shrek [2001]

August 10-15, 2024 - The LEGO Movie [2014]

August 17-22, 2024 - Wonder Park [2019]

August 24-29, 2024 - Sing 2 [2021]

Participating Theaters

At the time this article was written, the following movie theaters are participating in the Marcus Kids Dream Family Film Series. The locations, schedules, and movies are subject to change without notice, so be sure to verify the details before making plans and purchasing tickets.

Arkansas

• Movie Tavern - Little Rock -- Little Rock

Colorado

• Movie Tavern - Aurora -- Aurora

Georgia

• Movie Tavern - Roswell -- Roswell
• Movie Tavern - Horizon Village -- Suwanee
• Movie Tavern - Tucker Cinema -- Tucker

Illinois

• Marcus Addison Cinema -- Addison
• Marcus Bloomington Cinema + IMAX -- Bloomington
• Marcus Chicago Heights Cinemas -- Chicago Heights
• Marcus Country Club Hills Cinema -- Country Club Hills
• Marcus Elgin Cinema -- Elgin
• Marcus Gurnee Mills Cinema -- Gurnee
• Marcus O'Fallon Cinema -- O'Fallon
• Marcus Orland Park Cinema -- Orland Park

Iowa

• Marcus College Square Cinema -- Cedar Falls
• Marcus Cedar Rapids Cinema -- Cedar Rapids
• Marcus Coral Ridge Cinema -- Coralville
• Marcus Sycamore Cinema -- Iowa City
• Marcus Crossroads Cinema -- Waterloo

Kentucky

• Movie Tavern - Brannon Crossing -- Nicholasville

Louisiana

• Movie Tavern - Citiplace -- Baton Rouge
• Movie Tavern - Covington -- Covington
• Movie Tavern - Juban Crossing -- Denham Springs

Minnesota

• Marcus Duluth Cinema -- Duluth
• Marcus Lakes Cinema -- Hermantown
• Marcus Oakdale Cinema -- Oakdale
• Marcus Rochester Cinema + IMAX -- Rochester
• Marcus Rosemount Cinema -- Rosemount
• Marcus Southbridge Crossing Cinema -- Shakopee
• Marcus Parkwood Cinema -- Waite Park

Missouri

• Marcus Arnold Cinema -- Arnold
• Marcus Cape West Cinema -- Cape Girardeau
• Marcus Chesterfield Cinema -- Chesterfield
• Marcus Town Square Cinema -- Dardenne Prairie
• Marcus Eagles' Landing Cinema -- Lake Ozark
• Marcus St. Charles Cinema -- St. Charles
• Marcus Des Peres Cinema -- St. Louis
• Marcus Ronnie's Cinema + IMAX -- St. Louis
• Marcus Mid Rivers Cinema -- St. Peters

Nebraska

• Marcus Twin Creek Cinema -- Bellevue
• Marcus East Park Cinema -- Lincoln
• Marcus Edgewood Cinema -- Lincoln
• Marcus Lincoln Grand Cinema -- Lincoln
• Marcus South Pointe Cinema -- Lincoln
• Marcus Majestic Cinema of Omaha -- Omaha
• Marcus Village Pointe Cinema -- Omaha

New York

• Movie Tavern - Syracuse -- Camillus

North Dakota

• Marcus Century Cinema -- Fargo
• Marcus West Acres Cinema -- Fargo

Ohio

• Marcus Crosswoods Cinema -- Columbus
• Marcus Pickerington Cinema -- Pickerington

Pennsylvania

• Movie Tavern - Trexlertown -- Allentown
• Movie Tavern - Collegeville -- Collegeville
• Movie Tavern - Exton -- Exton
• Movie Tavern - Flourtown -- Flourtown

Texas

• Movie Tavern - Bedford -- Bedford
• Movie Tavern - Denton -- Denton
• Movie Tavern - Hulen -- Fort Worth

Virginia

• Movie Tavern - Williamsburg -- Williamsburg

Wisconsin

• Marcus Valley Grand Cinema -- Appleton
• Marcus Bay Park Cinema -- Ashwaubenon
• Marcus Majestic Cinema of Brookfield -- Brookfield
• Movie Tavern - Brookfield Square -- Brookfield
• Marcus Hillside Cinema -- Delafield
• Marcus Hollywood Cinema -- Grand Chute
• Marcus Green Bay East Cinema -- Green Bay
• Marcus BistroPlex Southridge -- Greendale
• Marcus La Crosse Cinema -- La Crosse
• Marcus Point Cinema -- Madison
• Marcus Menomonee Falls Cinemas -- Menomonee Falls
• Marcus North Shore Cinemas -- Mequon
• Marcus Ridge Cinemas -- New Berlin
• Marcus South Shore Cinema -- Oak Creek
• Marcus Oshkosh Cinema -- Oshkosh
• Marcus Cedar Creek Cinema -- Rothschild
• Marcus Sheboygan Cinema -- Sheboygan
• Marcus Renaissance Cinema -- Sturtevant
• Marcus Palace Cinema -- Sun Prairie

Read the Fine Print

The Marcus Theatres website lists the following fine print that should be noted:

Titles and dates are subject to change. Surcharges apply for 3D and 4DX performances. No refunds, returns or balance transfers for Passports. No refunds for previously purchased tickets. Protect your Passport number and treat it as you would cash, as Marcus Theatres is not responsible for lost or stolen voucher numbers. Passports are not redeemable for cash or credit, except as required by law. Magical Movie Rewards points are earned on the purchase of Passports when loyalty is provided during check-out. Passports may not be purchased with other prepaid items, such as gift cards.