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The 12 Essential Movies To See In The Parks This Summer

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It's finally summer in Chicago, and we all know what that means: fireworks, festivals and movies in the parks. This season, the Chicago Park District has a full schedule of flicks to catch all over the city. There will literally be a movie playing in a park somewhere in Chicago almost every night this summer, so which films are the ones you should absolutely not miss? Well, there's quite a few actually. Fortunately, if you miss a date, there's a very likely chance that you will be able to catch the same movie again at another point, as many of the featured movies (particularly family flicks) will be replaying at different parks throughout the summer. However, after taking a look at the schedule, we have concluded that these are the 12 essential movies that you cannot miss.


· Movies in the Parks Complete List [Chicago Park District]
· Millennium Park Summer Film Series [City of Chicago]

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Groundhog Day @ Holstein Park

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06/15/2014 Harold Ramis + Bill Murray = pure gold. The movie will only be playing once this summer, so be sure to swing by this Bucktown park to catch it.

Ghostbusters @ Millennium Park

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06/24/2014 The city will be paying tribute to Chicago filmmaker Harold Ramis by showing Ghostbusters at Millennium Park. The film will be shown at various parks throughout the summer, but this will be the night to catch it.

Dr. Strangelove @ Wicker Park

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06/26/2014 There's no clear way to connect this film to Chicago, however it is Kubrick's funniest flick and will only be playing once this summer. June 26 is the magic date.

Space Jam @ Taylor Park

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06/29/2014 What's not to love about this sweet 90s classic where Michael Jordan's basketball skills save the cartoon universe?

Ferris Bueller's Day Off @ Lincoln Park

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07/06/2014 Yet another Chicago classic film, This John Hughes flick cannot be missed. The page for the event says that the movie will be at Lincoln Park, however the official schedule lists the address to the Chicago History Museum, so just take note. One night only.

Chicago @ A. Montgomery Ward Park

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07/15/2014 Watch Chicago in downtown Chicago. This movie is playing one night only, so don't miss it.

Singin' in the Rain @ Armour Square Park

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07/17/2014 Singin' In The Rain is one of those movies that can't be beat in an outdoor setting. If you feel like dancing, you can without having to worry about disturbing the downstairs neighbors.

Triplets of Belleville @ Cricket Hill

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07/07/2014 The Triplets of Belleville is basically the best film for an outdoor movie date. It's French and there's no dialogue. Eat cheese, drink wine and impress your partner with your knowledge of European bicycle racing.

Sixteen Candles @ Fulton River Park

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07/21/2014 Another John Hughes classic will hit the Chicago Park District this summer. This 1984 coming-of-age film will only be playing one night.

Blues Brothers @ Jefferson Memorial Park

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08/08/2014 The Blues Brothers will be playing only once this summer, so be sure to mark August 8th on your calendars. No doubt, this movie is an iconic Chicago film and must not be missed.

The Goonies @ Wrightwood Park

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08/08/2014 If Jefferson Park is too far away to catch The Blues Brothers, don't fret as The Goonies will be playing the same night in Lincoln Park.

Wizard of Oz @ Millennium Park

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08/26/2014 Although movies will still be playing in other parks for the next few days, Wizard of Oz marks the end of the Millennium Park Summer Film Series and should not be missed.

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Groundhog Day @ Holstein Park

06/15/2014 Harold Ramis + Bill Murray = pure gold. The movie will only be playing once this summer, so be sure to swing by this Bucktown park to catch it.

Ghostbusters @ Millennium Park

06/24/2014 The city will be paying tribute to Chicago filmmaker Harold Ramis by showing Ghostbusters at Millennium Park. The film will be shown at various parks throughout the summer, but this will be the night to catch it.

Dr. Strangelove @ Wicker Park

06/26/2014 There's no clear way to connect this film to Chicago, however it is Kubrick's funniest flick and will only be playing once this summer. June 26 is the magic date.

Space Jam @ Taylor Park

06/29/2014 What's not to love about this sweet 90s classic where Michael Jordan's basketball skills save the cartoon universe?

Ferris Bueller's Day Off @ Lincoln Park

07/06/2014 Yet another Chicago classic film, This John Hughes flick cannot be missed. The page for the event says that the movie will be at Lincoln Park, however the official schedule lists the address to the Chicago History Museum, so just take note. One night only.

Chicago @ A. Montgomery Ward Park

07/15/2014 Watch Chicago in downtown Chicago. This movie is playing one night only, so don't miss it.

Singin' in the Rain @ Armour Square Park

07/17/2014 Singin' In The Rain is one of those movies that can't be beat in an outdoor setting. If you feel like dancing, you can without having to worry about disturbing the downstairs neighbors.

Triplets of Belleville @ Cricket Hill

07/07/2014 The Triplets of Belleville is basically the best film for an outdoor movie date. It's French and there's no dialogue. Eat cheese, drink wine and impress your partner with your knowledge of European bicycle racing.

Sixteen Candles @ Fulton River Park

07/21/2014 Another John Hughes classic will hit the Chicago Park District this summer. This 1984 coming-of-age film will only be playing one night.

Blues Brothers @ Jefferson Memorial Park

08/08/2014 The Blues Brothers will be playing only once this summer, so be sure to mark August 8th on your calendars. No doubt, this movie is an iconic Chicago film and must not be missed.

The Goonies @ Wrightwood Park

08/08/2014 If Jefferson Park is too far away to catch The Blues Brothers, don't fret as The Goonies will be playing the same night in Lincoln Park.

Wizard of Oz @ Millennium Park

08/26/2014 Although movies will still be playing in other parks for the next few days, Wizard of Oz marks the end of the Millennium Park Summer Film Series and should not be missed.