San Antonio-based Santikos Entertainment is setting the stage for a summer of cinematic fun for families, with a lineup of free movies that'll have kids—and probably a few adults—beaming without spending a dime. Tuesday’s announcement detailed plans for a series of free movie showings starting June and running through July, available in 26 theaters across San Antonio and the southern region, with the exception of the Fort Bliss location, according to MySanAntonio.com.

The free film extravaganza includes kid-friendly favorites, kicking off with the banana-loving antics of "Minions: The Rise of Guru" on June 11 and 12. For the bright and early birds, each film starts at 10 a.m., and families need only show up to secure their seats on a first-come, first-served basis—just remember, tickets are only up for grabs the day of the show, per Santikos' free-spirited way of handling distribution.

Summer might be sitting a couple of months away, but Santikos Entertainment isn’t wasting any time. They've thrown open the doors to an air-conditioned summer oasis where ticket prices are as non-existent as snow in July. Parents on the lookout for budget-friendly entertainment should mark their calendars, because the free movie days promise to pack the house, with the full schedule now available for planning ahead, as detailed by KENS 5.

For those eager to indulge in some animated fun without animated prices, the Santikos lineup spans fan-favorite sequels like "Shrek 2" on July 23 and 24 and the sing-along-worthy "Sing 2" to wrap up the series on July 30 and 31. Making no exceptions, every Santikos theater in the area will participate in the summer series, bringing a welcome relief to parents searching for ways to entertain their broods during the dog days—all without having to fetch their wallets.