Head indoors or stay outside. The choice is yours, but either way there are plenty of chances to see a free —- or super-cheap —- flick this summer. Local theaters are opening early, offering animated films and other kid-friendly movies. On weekend evenings, community gatherings are planned around big screens throughout the county.

Before you start chomping on the popcorn, check out the movie listings and tips for getting the most out of the experience.

NOW PLAYING:

AMC Summer MovieCamp

> When: 10 a.m. Wednesdays, June 25-Aug. 6 (doors open at 9 a.m.)

> Where: AMC Discover Mills 18, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway (I-85 and Sugarloaf Parkway), Lawrenceville

> What's playing: June 25, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" (G); July 2, "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" (PG); July 9, "Alvin and the Chipmunks" (PG); July 16, "Shrek the Third" (PG); July 23, "Bee Movie" (PG); July 30, "Surf's Up" (PG); Aug. 6, "TMNT" (PG)

> Cost: $1

> Info: 404-816-4262, www.amctheatres.com/smc

Regal's 2008 Free Family Film Festival

> When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

> Where: Mall of Georgia Stadium 20 & Imax, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford; Medlock Stadium 18, 9700 Medlock Bridge Road, Duluth; Snellville Stadium 14, 2125 E. Main St., Snellville

> What's playing: June 24 and 26, "Charlotte's Web" and "Racing Stripes"; July 1 and 3, "Arctic Tale" and "Bee Movie"; July 8 and 10, "Wallace & Gromit" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks"; July 15 and 17, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" and "Firehouse Dog"; July 22 and 24, "March of the Penguins" and "Robots"; July 29 and 31, "Everyone's Hero" and "Happy Feet"

> Cost: Free

> Info: 678-482-9263 (Mall of Georgia Stadium 20), 770-814-0768 (Medlock Stadium 18), 770-972-4072 (Snellville Stadium 14), www.regmovies.com

Duluth's Flicks on the Bricks Family Film Festival

> When: Dusk, Aug. 16, Sept. 13, Oct. 25

> Where: Duluth Town Green

> What's playing: Aug. 16, "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep"; Sept. 13, "Surf's Up"; Oct. 25, "Scooby Doo"

> Cost: Free

> Info: 770-476-3434, www.duluth-ga.com/dt/main_street/fs.html

Summer Kid Show Series

> When: 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays (doors open at 9:15 a.m.)

> Where: Town Center Value Cinemas, 700 Gwinnett Drive No. 216, Lawrenceville

> What's playing: June 24 and 26, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" and "Shrek the Third"; July 1 and 3, "Bee Movie" and "Nanny McPhee"; July 8 and 10, "Surf's Up" and "Everyone's Hero"; July 15 and 17, "The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep" and "Evan Almighty"; July 22 and 24, "Pirates Who Don't Do Anything: A Veggie Tales Movie" and "Happy Feet"; July 29 and 31, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" and "A Night at the Museum"

> Cost: Free

> Info: 678-985-2222, www.georgiatheatrecompany.com

Reels at Robinson

> When: July 25

> Where: E.E. Robinson Park Amphitheater, 850 Level Creek Road, Sugar Hill

> What's playing: July 25, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" (subject to change)

> Cost: Free

> Info: 770-831-7413, www.cityofsugarhill.com

Suwanee's Movies on Main Street

> When: 8 p.m. June 28, July 26, Aug. 23

> Where: Burnette-Rogers Pavilion, Main Street, Suwanee

> What's playing: June 28, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"; July 26, "Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb"; Aug. 23, "Young Frankenstein" and "Oedipus Wrecks"

> Cost: Free

> Info: 770-945-8996, www.suwanee.com

Movies Under the Stars

> When: Dusk, June 28, July 25, Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Nov. 8

> Where: Braselton Park, corner of Harrison and Henry streets, Braselton

> What's playing: June 28, "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium"; July 25, to be determined; Aug. 23, "Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!"; Sept. 27, "Nim's Island"; Nov. 8, "Fred Claus"

> Cost: Free

> Info: 706-654-3915, www.braselton.net

Star 94's Movies Under the Stars

> When: Sundown, Saturdays

> Where: Showings in Gwinnett include July 12, Town Center Park, 370 Buford Highway, Suwanee; July 19, Duluth Town Green; Aug. 23, T.W. Briscoe Park, 2500 Sawyer Parkway, Snellville

> What's playing: To be determined

> Cost: Free

> Info: 404-261-2970 (Star 94), www.star94.com/promotions/detail.cfm?id=22

 DreamWorks Animation