Free Movies Return to Harmony Square for Eight Nights of Family Fun

Movies in the square

There is something special about watching a movie outdoors on a warm summer night, and the City of Brantford is once again bringing that experience to the heart of downtown.

Movies in the Square returns to Harmony Square every Thursday from July 9 to August 27, with eight family-friendly movies shown on the big screen. Each evening will feature pre-show activities before the movie begins at dusk. Admission is free, and families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to settle in for the night.

Popcorn, drinks and other treats will be available for purchase from the Downtown Central Neighbourhood Association, with proceeds helping support the downtown community. Residents can also follow the Harmony Square Facebook page and answer the weekly trivia question for a chance to receive VIP treatment, including front-row Muskoka chairs, drinks and popcorn.

This year’s lineup includes animated favourites, recent blockbusters and familiar characters that children and parents will recognize.

Thursday, July 9: Despicable Me 4

Gru, Lucy, their daughters and the Minions return for another unpredictable adventure in Despicable Me 4.

The family welcomes a mischievous new member, Gru Jr., who appears to enjoy tormenting his father. At the same time, Gru is forced to relocate his family after his former school rival, Maxime Le Mal, escapes from prison and sets out to get revenge.

The movie introduces several new characters while delivering everything audiences have come to expect from the series, including slapstick comedy, elaborate villain schemes and plenty of Minion chaos. A group of Minions even receives superpowers and becomes the Mega Minions, although their attempts at becoming superheroes do not always go according to plan.

Thursday, July 16: Dog Man

Based on the popular graphic novel series by Captain Underpants creator Dav Pilkey, Dog Man follows a police officer and his faithful police dog after they are injured together in the line of duty.

A strange but life-saving operation combines the two, creating a new crime-fighting hero who is part man and part dog. Dog Man is determined to protect Ohkay City, impress his police chief and stop the plans of Petey the Cat.

The movie mixes superhero action with the playful humour of the books. It also introduces Li’l Petey, a young clone whose arrival begins to change the villainous Petey and adds some surprisingly heartfelt moments to the story.

Families are encouraged to come dressed as police officers for the evening.

Thursday, July 23: Inside Out 2

Pixar takes audiences back inside Riley’s mind in Inside Out 2, but things have become much more complicated since the first movie.

Riley is now a teenager preparing to enter high school. Just as Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust think they understand how to guide her, headquarters undergoes an unexpected renovation and several new emotions arrive.

Anxiety quickly takes control as Riley attends a hockey camp and tries to make new friends. She is also joined by Envy, Embarrassment and Ennui as she navigates the pressure, uncertainty and changing relationships that come with growing up.

The movie is funny and colourful, but it also offers an important message about accepting every part of ourselves—even the emotions we might rather avoid.

Guests can embrace their emotions by dressing as their favourite Inside Out 2 character. The evening will also include pre-show entertainment from Freedom House.

Thursday, July 30: Zootopia 2

Detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back on the case in Zootopia 2.

The rabbit-and-fox partnership is tested when a mysterious reptile arrives in Zootopia and turns the animal metropolis upside down. Judy and Nick must travel undercover into unfamiliar parts of the city as they attempt to solve their most complicated case yet.

Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman return as Judy and Nick, while Ke Huy Quan joins the cast as Gary De’Snake. The sequel expands the world introduced in the original movie while delivering another mix of mystery, comedy and fast-paced adventure.

Families are invited to attend dressed as their favourite animal, with bonus points for choosing an animal that also has a job.

Thursday, August 6: The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants

SpongeBob sets out to prove that he is brave enough to be considered a “big guy” in The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants.

His mission leads him to the Flying Dutchman, a mysterious ghost pirate who takes SpongeBob and his friends on a seafaring adventure into some of the deepest and strangest parts of the ocean.

The movie brings together SpongeBob, Patrick, Mr. Krabs and other familiar residents of Bikini Bottom. Mark Hamill joins the voice cast as the Flying Dutchman, adding another larger-than-life personality to the underwater adventure.

Moviegoers are encouraged to dress as their favourite underwater creature, and Freedom House will once again provide pre-show entertainment.

Thursday, August 13: Paddington in Peru

Paddington Bear leaves London behind and returns to his homeland in Paddington in Peru.

Paddington and the Brown family travel to the Home for Retired Bears to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy. When they arrive, they discover she has disappeared, sending the family on a journey through the Amazon rainforest and into the mountains of Peru.

The third movie in the series combines mystery and adventure with the kindness, humour and marmalade sandwiches that have made Paddington a favourite among generations of families.

Ben Whishaw returns as the voice of Paddington, with Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas joining the cast for the latest adventure.
Families can prepare for the journey by wearing their favourite outdoor or adventure gear.

Thursday, August 20: A Minecraft Movie

One of the world’s most popular video games comes to life in A Minecraft Movie.

The story follows four unlikely adventurers who are pulled through a portal and transported into the Overworld, a strange, block-shaped world where creativity is essential to survival.

With help from an experienced crafter named Steve, played by Jack Black, the group must learn how to build, defend themselves against dangerous creatures and find a way home. Jason Momoa, Danielle Brooks, Emma Myers and Sebastian Hansen round out the main group of adventurers.

The movie combines the familiar characters and landscapes of the game with action, comedy and a message about discovering the courage to create something new.

Guests are encouraged to arrive dressed as their favourite video game character.

Thursday, August 27: How to Train Your Dragon

The Movies in the Square season concludes with the 2025 live-action version of How to Train Your Dragon.

Hiccup is a thoughtful young Viking who struggles to fit into a community that has spent generations fighting dragons. After bringing down a rare Night Fury, Hiccup discovers that the creature is injured and cannot bring himself to kill it.

He instead befriends the dragon, names him Toothless and begins to realize that everything his people believe about dragons may be wrong.

The live-action adaptation brings the island of Berk, its Viking residents and its dragons to life while preserving the friendship and emotion at the heart of the original animated film. Gerard Butler returns as Stoick the Vast, while Mason Thames stars as Hiccup.

Families can finish the summer movie series by wearing Viking, medieval or dragon-training gear.

A Summer Tradition in Downtown Brantford

Movies in the Square offers families an affordable night out while bringing people together in one of downtown Brantford’s busiest gathering places.

Whether you attend one movie or make Thursday nights at Harmony Square a weekly summer tradition, this year’s lineup offers something for children of all ages—and more than a few movies that parents will enjoy just as much.

Movies begin at dusk and all programming is weather permitting. Harmony Square is located at 89 Dalhousie Street in downtown Brantford.