Don’t get us wrong: The city’s annual parade of classic flicks in Grant Park is great (see “Chicago Outdoor Film Festival,” above), but sometimes we like to spread out without a foot ending up in the fusilli. Here, five alternatives to downtown’s crowded movie-watching scene.

1) FREE! Block Cinema
Northwestern’s summer series includes The Wizard of Oz, which turns 70 this year (Jul 15 at 9), and The Third Man, which hits 60 (Jul 29 at 9). East Lawn, Norris Center, 1999 Campus Dr, Evanston. blockmuseum.northwestern.edu

2) FREE! Chicago History Museum
Chicago-centric cinema plays on the back plaza: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Jul 14 at dusk) and The Break-Up (Aug 18 at dusk). 1601 N Clark. chicagohistory.org

3) Morton Arboretum
Parent-approved movies get alfresco airings in the lushest of settings: Over the Hedge (Aug 7 at 8:30) and Fly Away Home (Sep 4 at 8:30). $3-$9. 4100 Illinois Rte 53, Lisle. mortonarb.org

4) FREE! Garfield Park Conservatory
A thematically appropriate flick shows in the shadow of the conservatory’s apiary: Bee Movie (Aug 26 at 8). 300 N Central Park. garfield-conservatory.org

5) FREE! Movies in the Parks
Summertime screenings in parks citywide include The Blues Brothers (Jul 2) and Mad Hot Ballroom (Aug 21). Full schedule, locations: chicagoparkdistrict.com