Studio Movie Grill: FREE Children’s Movies for Special Needs Children & Their Siblings
Check out this email I received from reader, Lauren:
I was so excited to see this offer on Facebook today! Studio Movie Grill offers Children’s movies for free for special needs children and their siblings. 🙂 I was so excited to share this with our family friends who have two children with Autism. I know how much they love taking their children to the movies but are often judged upon their children’s excitement throughout the movie. I feel this is a great opportunity for them to enjoy a wonderful day as a family without being “looked” upon negatively. It also offers a great way for all families with special needs children to form groups, as a mother myself you never want your child to feel left out or miss special events so kudos to Studio Movie Grill for making such a great gesture!
Special Needs screenings are free for children with special needs and their siblings. Everyone else pays before noon matinee price. Special Needs screenings run with the lights up and the sound down so the children are free to laugh, play, sing and even dance while they watch. Seating will be first come, first served.
To see Studio Movie Grill locations (only available in very select states), click here.
This is so great! I am a behavioral therapist who works with kids on the spectrum and many parents really appreciate places/companies who do this. If this isn’t available in your area, try calling your local movie theater and ask if they offer the same thing. My local theater does this once a month! Also if you have a pump it up (trampoline/bounce house) in your area, sometimes they have days where they lower the lights and turn down the music for kids who are sensitive to that.
Thanks for posting this! As a SPED teacher we are always looking for great appropriate events to share with our parents.
You’re welcome!
Thanks for posting this. As a senior in an age restricted community, there are plenty of grandparents here with special needs grandchildren, who look for outings with these grandchildren, while giving their parents time away from these kids, letting their grandparents have quality time with their grandchildren.
You are very welcome!
I don’t have this company near me but AMC has Sensory Friendly movies (it’s at 10am, about $5) for children with Special Needs, it’s awesome! I was nervous taking my son with Autism to the movies in case he got out of his seat or was talking too loud, but these screenings provide a judgement free zone. Thank you to companies who provide these type of programs.
Yes! We are a special-needs family and we love the AMC Sensory-friendly showings! 😊💚
I forgot to mention too (in case you weren’t aware), AMC also allows you to (openly) bring your own snacks/drinks to Sensory-friendly showings since many individuals have dietary considerations. So cool!
Thanks for sharing Amanda!
I have a daughter with special needs and we have attended these “sensory friendly” showings. (We live near Atlanta) I cannot say enough wonderful things about what these people do. I’ve never been when I didn’t cry from the kindness of the reception we’ve received. The sounds are quieter, the lights are lower and in oh experience, the entire families are welcome and free, which means my two sons can see other families like ours – and other brothers who have to make some of the same sacrifices they make! If you’re considering going – do! It’s great!
So glad to hear that Katie! Thanks so much for your feedback!
We’ve been to these a few times and they are great!! We saw Brave there while my daughter (with special needs) ran back in forth in front of the bottom of the screen chasing the bears…:-) Also, if your child has food allergies, they never had a problem with bring in something that they can eat.
Oh cool! Thanks for sharing! Good to know!
I wonder if there is an age limit. My brother is physically and mentally handicap but he’s 32 years old…I guess I should call and ask lol
Here in San Antonio they have Eva’s Heroes who sponsor a movie night once a month for individuals with special needs (of all ages). Several theaters do it. It’s free for the special needs individual and only $5 for anyone accompanying them. They don’t darken the theater as much as usual, shorten the previews and adopt an accepting environment. It’s awesome!!! My SN 4yo loves to laugh and yell through movies so it’s so nice to be able to bring him and not constantly “shush” him!
And upon looking it up I never realized it was called Eva’s Heroes because it’s Eva Longoria’s organization!
1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month at Santikos theaters – 6pm showing 🙂
Thanks, Jenny! I didn’t know about this. 😀
Hope Kids is also a wonderful organization. They put on events for children with life threatening sicknesses and disorders and their families. My sister is severely special needs, and it is always great to go to the movies surrounded with other people in similar circumstances. It is great not to have to worry about suctioning out a trach or having to freak out about a feeding pump beeping. They do all sorts of events, but are only in a couple of states. I think they are in AZ, UT, MN, TX, and soon CO.
This is so thoughtful and heart warming. It makes me smile to know that some businesses are thoughtful and truly caring about all customers’ experience. 💗
I love this. My grandson is Special Needs and there is nothing for us to do. It’s very sad. I love this idea thou. And hopefully something will come close soon.
So glad you posted this. Last time I took my son to the movie theater, afterward I asked him if he liked it and he said “yes, except you shushing me the whole time.” LOL We now go to the drive-in movies, which fits our son’s idiosyncrasies without disturbing other patrons. There is a Studio Movie Grill and AMC in our area as well, so I may have to check this out!
Now that we can take our special need son and his teen sister to the movies, as a family, we are a happy and socialize with our adorable son.