The Cannes Film Festival, action blockbusters and weekly releases of anticipated movies all signal the beginning of the summer movie season. With popcorn and soda in hand, muggy summer nights are completed by the viewing of a good movie.

Drive-ins

Nostalgic and unique, drive-ins are becoming increasingly rare with the popularity of multiplexes. Although lacking in amenities like air-conditioning and plush seating, outdoor theaters have a campy charm that’s hard to beat. Most offer double features, two back-to-back, current movies.

While it’s obviously possible to watch the movies from the car, it’s also fun to bring blankets and lawn chairs and view the movies outside if the weather and mosquitoes aren’t too bad. Sound is tunneled through the vehicle’s radio, so it’s possible to watch the movie from either place.

Rustic Tri-View Drive-In Theatre in North Smithfield is the only operating drive-in left in Rhode Island. Showing double-features all summer, the Rustic can by reached by phone at 401-769-7601. Tickets are only $20 per car. The Mendon Twin Drive-In is another local theater in Mendon, Mass., operating since 1954. The drive-in consists of one large paved lot filled with three screens. A snack bar serving popcorn, ice-cream, soda and other snacks is also on-site. Its Web site is www.mendondrivein.com.

Independent theatres

The Avon Cinema and Cable Car Cinema and Cafe are two theaters that show foreign and independent films. Both in Providence, they screen movies like “Tyson,” a documentary about former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson, and “Lemon Tree,” a story about a Palestinian woman fighting to save her ancestral lemon trees from destruction. Tickets are $7 for matinees and children’s passes, and $9.25 and $9 for evening shows at the Cable Car and Avon, respectively.

Free screenings

The best movie is a free movie. Outdoor movie marathons and library shows are often sponsored in the summer, when living is lazy and leisurely. At the corner of Westminster and Union streets in Providence, the annual “Movies on the Block” program offers free movies every Thursday. It began June 4 with “Cinderella Man” and continues into the fall, ending on Sept. 24 with Sixteen Candles. Shows start at dusk. For a full listing, go to www.film-festival.org.

Film festivals

RIFF, the Rhode Island Film Festival, shows both local and international films and takes place Aug. 4-9. Although the shows have not been announced yet, ticket packages are for sale along with more information at www.film-festival.org.

Summer movies are a fun a way to spend times with friends and family, and from drive-ins to film festivals, it’s possible with any budget.