If you love movies, you’ll have ample opportunities to see classics on the big screen and to treat your kids to some family favorites this summer. From morning movies at Glynn Place Cinemas to sing-alongs at The Ritz and cinema by the sea on Jekyll Island, the Golden Isles has something for everyone to enjoy.
Kids’ Summer Movie Series at the Casino
Glynn County Recreation and Parks Department hosts family movies at the St. Simons Casino Theatre on select Wednesdays throughout the summer. There are multiple screenings each day with showtimes at noon; 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. Admission is only $1 per person for each showing and there will be popcorn, candy, and beverages available for purchase.
June movies are Inside Out (June 1), Finding Nemo (June 15), and Snow White (June 29). July movies are Frozen (July 6) and Aladdin (July 27). The series ends with Zootopia on August 3. For more information, call 912.554.7780.
GTC $1.50 Summer Kid Show Series
As in years past, every Tuesday and Thursday morning in June and July, the Georgia Theatre Company features family-friendly movies at Island Cinemas on St. Simons Island and at the Glynn Place Cinemas in Brunswick for only $1.50. There’s a new movie each week, doors open at 9:15 a.m., and movies begin at 10:00 a.m. Popcorn and drinks are also available for $1.50 each. What a bargain!
June’s movies are: Home (June 7 & 9), Shaun the Sheep (June 14 & 16), Alvin & The Chipmunks: Road Chip (June 21 & 23), The Peanuts Movie (June 28 & June 30). In July, movies will be: Paddington (July 5 & 7), Hotel Transylvania 2 (July 12 & 14), Minions (July 19 & 21), and Norm of the North (July 26 & 28). For more information, visit gtcmovies.com.
Flashback Cinema
Georgia Theatre Company’s Island Cinemas is bringing you a new film series this summer as well: Flashback Cinema. This classic film program features a different classic movie each week and shows on Sundays and Wednesdays at 2:00 in the afternoon and at 7:00 in the evening. No matter how many times you've seen a great film, there's nothing like experiencing it on the big screen! The 16-week series began in May and continues through August 31.
This month, the featured movies are Blazing Saddles (May 29 & June 1), The Princess Bridge (June 5 & 8), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (June 12 & 15), and Raiders of the Lost Art (June 18 & 22). Watch the Flashback Cinema or Island Cinemas/Georgia Theatre Company Facebook pages for updated information about the remaining films that will be shown in the series or visit gtcmovies.com.
Summer Classics at The Ritz
The films that Golden Isles Arts and Humanities has lined up for the popular Summer Classic Movie series at The Ritz is as sweet as “a spoonful of sugar,” so what better way to start than with popular Disney musical Mary Poppins?! The movie starts at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, but audiences should be there early to enjoy fun short subjects and cartoons, take part in a fun costume contest, and maybe get lucky and win a door prize drawing.
Heather Heath, Executive Director of Golden Isles Arts & Humanities, says, “I am very excited about this season’s line up. Mary Poppins is a big favorite of mine and the Summer Classic Movie series is always fun for visitors and locals alike. There is really a true sense of community at each screening as everyone comes together in a shared experience. We love being able to screen these fun classic films.”
The fun will continue every Thursday during the month of July with Marty and Doc heading Back to the Future (July 14), sci-fi horror classic Alien (July 21), and live action/animation blend Who Framed Roger Rabbit, (July 28). The series wraps up on August 4 with a back-to-school sing-along with the kids from Rydell High for the screening of Grease. MTR Real Estate professionals Angie Aimar and James Laurens will once again be serving up piping hot popcorn as long as it lasts in the theater lobby, so be early to get yours!
Some local restaurants also offer some fun incentives for attending: Fox’s Pizza Den, a block away from the theatre, offers a great Dinner and a Movie special. Buy your ticket at the Ritz box office beginning at 5:00 p.m. on show night and take it to Fox’s for 10% off your bill and priority dining to get you back in time for the movie. You can also take part in a fun trivia contest while dining and receive your prize later at the Ritz. Tipsy McSway’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill at 1414 Newcastle will serve adults 21+ one free draft beer after the movie if you show them your ticket. A number of local businesses also provide fun door prizes and giveaways.
Admission to each show in the Summer Classic Movies series is only $5 for all ages. Tickets can only be purchased the night of the screening and the box office opens at 5:00 p.m. Cartoons, previews, and short subjects begin 20-30 minutes before show time. For more information, please visit goldenislesarts.org or call 912.262.6934.
Movies on the Green
For an seaside movies under the stars experience, you can head over to Jekyll Island’s new Beach Village Green for Movies on the Green.
Last year, Beach Village Green played host to Glynn County locals, island residents, and vacation guests for the popular series, so they’re bringing it back. “Last year’s season was a great success. We are thrilled to invite our friends from near and far for a night of shopping and dining in the new Beach Village and a free movie on the Beach Village Green,” said Jekyll Island Authority Senior Director of Marketing, Meggan Hood. “A mix of classic and recent favorites means there’s something for everyone. Families bring blankets and lawn chairs.” She adds, “This season, we have lots of options to grab dinner or a snack in Beach Village. Of course, picnics are welcome, too.” The Movies on the Green series harkens back to a simple time that reminds guests why the island is so special. “Watching a great movie, under the stars, with the cool ocean breeze is a rare treat these days,” said Hood.
There’s a free movie the last Saturday evening of each month with Back to the Future on June 25, Sound of Music on July 30, and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off on August 27. There will also be a bonus Independence Day movie of Grease on July 3, and special Jekyll Island Golf Club screening of Caddyshack on July 9. All movies begin at 8:30 p.m. The series will continue into the fall with Star Wars: The Force Awakes on September 24 at 7:30 p.m., E.T. The Extra Terrestrial on October 29 at 7:00 p.m. and Elf on November 25 at 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit jekyllisland.com.
So, make a little time to take a break from the sun or to get out under the stars this summer. And as Roger Ebert used to say, “See you at the movies!”
