WORCESTER – Movies on the Common, a series of movies shown outdoors on the Worcester Common, returns in 2024 starting on Thursday, June 20. The series expands to five films this year.
The first 100 attendees of each event receive free popcorn. The first 50 attendees also receive a free food/drink voucher for one of the onsite vendors. Each movie night will also have a beer garden for those 21 years old and older.
All five films of the series are rated PG-13.
Thursday June 20: “Barbie”
The first Movies on the Common night of 2024 is Youth Pride Night. Before the film, there will be a drag performance by Diva D and music from DJ TMAN2.
The film is scheduled to start at 8:40 PM. In the event of inclement weather, the film will be shown at the Jean McDonough Arts Center (JMAC) at 20 Franklin St.
“Barbie,” released in 2023, was nominated for eight Oscar Awards, winning for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures for the original song “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. The film stars Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street”) and Ryan Gosling (“Blue Valentine,” “Drive”) as Barbie and Ken. Greta Gerwig (“Little Women”) directed the film. It runs 1 hour 54 minutes.
The description of “Barbie” from IMDB: “Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.”
Thursday, July 18: “Free Guy”
Filmed in Worcester Night includes a behind-the-scenes talk on filming in Worcester before the film, a themed photo booth, and comedy by local comic Latasha Hughes.
The film is scheduled to start at 8:35 PM. In the event of inclement weather, the film will be shown at the JMAC at 20 Franklin St.
“Free Guy,” released in 2021, stars Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) and Julie Comer (“The Last Duel”). It was directed by Shawn Levy (“Stranger Things”). It runs 1 hour 55 minutes.
The description of “Free Guy” from IMDB: “When Guy, a bank teller, learns that he is a non-player character in a bloodthirsty, open-world video game, he goes on to become the hero of the story and takes the responsibility of saving the world.”
Thursday, August 15: Clue
Mystery Night will include a live, interactive murder mystery experience before the film begins.
The film is scheduled to start at 8:05 PM. In the event of inclement weather, the film will be shown at the JMAC at 20 Franklin St.
“Clue,” released in 1985 and based on the board game of the same name released in 1949, is a cult classic crime mystery and comedy which stars Eileen Brennan (“Privater Benjamin”), Tim Curry (“Rocky Horror Picture Show”), Madeline Kahn (“Young Frankenstein”), Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future”, “The Addams Family”) and others. Jonathan Lynn (“My Cousin Vinny”) directed the film. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
The description of “Clue” from IMDB: “Six guests are anonymously invited to a strange mansion for dinner, but after their host is killed, they must cooperate with the staff to identify the murderer as the bodies pile up.”
Thursday, September 19: “In the Heights”
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, this night will include free salsa lessons and performances from Raices Latin Dance.
The film is scheduled to start at 7:05 PM. In the event of inclement weather, the film will be shown in the gym at the YWCA, at 1 Salem Sq.
“In the Heights,” released in 2021, is a romance and musical drama which stars Anthony Ramos (“Hamilton”), Corey Hawkins (“Straight Outta Compton”) and Melissa Barrera (“Scream”). Jon M. Chu (“G.I. Joe: Retaliation”) directed the film. It runs 2 hours and 23 minutes.
The description of “In the Heights” from IMDB: “In Washington Heights, a sympathetic New York bodega owner saves every penny every day as he imagines and sings about a better life.”
Thursday, October 17: “Haunted Mansion”
Halloween Movie Night, the last movie night of the season, will feature a short talk by Executive Director of the Worcester Historical Museum William Wallace and ghost stories told live by Tim Weisberg prior to the film.
The film is scheduled to start at 7 PM. In the event of inclement weather, the film will be shown in the gym at the YWCA, at 1 Salem Sq.
“Haunted Mansion,” a Disney film released in 2023, is a family drama and comedy which stars LaKeith Stanfield (“Sorry to Bother You”), Rosario Dawson (“Rent,” “Unstoppable”), and Owen Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” “Wedding Crashers”).
The description of “Haunted Mansion” from IMDB: “A single mom named Gabbie hires a tour guide, a psychic, a priest and a historian to help exorcise her newly bought mansion after discovering it is inhabited by ghosts.”
