Get ready for a summer full of movie magic—and a dose of nostalgia—all under the stars. As part of the brand-new DTFW Summer Series, Downtown Fort Wayne is rolling out Movie Night, a free outdoor film experience happening in partnership with Fort Wayne Cinema Center.
This is Movie Night’s debut season, and it’s one of two new additions to the Summer Series lineup, alongside Night Market and the long-running favorite, Lunch on the Square. If you’ve been looking for a reason to spread out a blanket, gather your people, and watch a great movie on a warm summer night, this one’s for you.
Here’s what’s in store:
What to Expect
July 24, August 28, and September 25 | “Doors” at 8pm, movie at sunset | Fort Wayne Cinema Center’s parking lot (at the corner of Berry & Clay across the street from the Foellinger Foundation)
Three nights this summer, Cinema Center’s parking lot transforms into an open-air theatre using their brand-new outdoor projector. It’s the perfect social outing for movie buffs, a fun and easy date night, or a low-key family evening Downtown—and it’s completely free (though donations to Cinema Center are always welcome).
Come early to grab a good spot on the lot (seating is first come, first served). And for your comfort, consider bringing your own blankets and lawn chairs (but no tents, gazebos, or anything that would obstruct the views of your neighbors).
While you wait for the sun to go down, you’ll find yard games, a mobile library, and other activities to keep everyone entertained (feel free to bring your own games too). And don’t skip the concessions, which will be stocked with popcorn, candies, unique treats, and even some adult bevvies (including locally brewed beer from Hop River) for the 21+ crowd.
Worth a note: This event is rain-or-shine, and in the case of inclement weather, the movie will move inside the theatre.
The Movies
Everyone loves a good theme, and somehow the 80s has everyone feeling nostalgic, even those of us who weren’t even born yet. So come relive your own childhood, or introduce the next generation to a few of the classics that shaped it.
The Neverending Story | July 24
A lonely boy escapes into a magical library book and finds himself pulled into the fantasy world of Fantasia, a realm under threat from a mysterious force called The Nothing. Equal parts wondrous and haunting, it’s the movie that gave a generation their own main-character energy and helped them embrace their imagination.
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure | August 28
When Pee-wee Herman’s beloved bicycle goes missing, he sets off on a cross-country quest to find it, running into oddball characters and even odder detours along the way. Tim Burton’s directorial debut is pure goofy chaos from start to finish—the kind of movie that’s impossible to watch without grinning.
Back to the Future | September 25
Marty McFly accidentally sends himself back to 1955 in a time-traveling DeLorean and has to figure out how to get home—all while making sure his own parents actually fall in love. It’s the movie that made “Great Scott!” part of the cultural lexicon, and it’s still one of the most fun rides in movie history.
A Milestone Night
Make an extra large mark on your calendar for that last one. Our September 25 screening of Back to the Future falls on the very same night that Cinema Center is celebrating their 50th Anniversary Block Party, so plan to make a full evening of it.
Expect multiple free film screenings, live performances, and a full-on celebration of stories, film, and community. You can stay up to date on all the developing block party details by RSVPing to their Facebook event page.
Movie Night is shaping up to be one of the best new additions to our summer calendar. Mark your planner, invite your friends, and keep an eye out for updates as we get closer to each screening.
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And special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Drive & Shine, for helping Downtown make all of this possible.
Molly Conner is a Fort Wayne native and freelance writer. Having lived in Downtown Fort Wayne throughout her twenties, she loves watching her stomping grounds grow. Passionate about storytelling and community, she’s eager to tell Downtown Fort Wayne’s story piece-by-piece—exploring the people and places that make it unique. Have a story to share? Drop her an email!