Halfway Report:
Ohio Goes to the Movies is on Track to Set Record as Longest Running State Film Series
July Movie Schedule Demonstrates Depth of Venues
COLUMBUS, Ohio (June 18, 2026) – Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM) is well on its way to setting a record for the first-of-its-kind Ohio-centric movies series running about 250 days (through October) in every one of Ohio’s 88 counties. The signature event of America 250-Ohio aims to screen more than 250 free movies.
At the halfway mark of the series (as of June 18), OGTTM Program Director Molly Kreuzman reports:
- 136 OGTTM events have been held in 67 Ohio counties.
- A total of 151 films have been screened, with some events offering double features or multiple movies.
- Every film shown has an Ohio connection, either through its production in the state, the involvement of Ohioans on screen or behind the scenes, or centered on the life of a notable Ohioan.
- More than 10,000 people have attended the events organized by local communities. They selected their films based on Ohio Connections and are hosting additional activities during the events such as guest speakers, panel discussions, kids’ activities, and red-carpet experiences. Some fans are traveling across the state to visit multiple events in communities beyond their hometowns. (See Superfan blog.)
“This first-of-its-kind film series has been embraced by traditional and non-traditional venues across Ohio,” said Kreuzman. “At our halfway point, communities are reporting positive experiences collaborating with community partners, increased pride in their film connections and heritage, as well as sheer enjoyment from attendees sharing the movie experience together.”
July Calendar Demonstrates Depth of OGTTM Venues
The unique venues that stepped up to host OGTTM events make the series even more special. In addition to traditional cinemas, events are also hosted at historic theaters, drive-ins, museums, parks and rec centers, and libraries.
An example of traditional cinema venues is Atlas Cinemas Diamond Center (Mentor) screening “Air Force One” on July 7. Pre-event activities will include a demonstration from the Madison, Ohio, stuntman team that worked on the movie when it was filmed in Ohio (read Stuntman blog). AMC Theatres is hosting OGTTM at their cinemas statewide and will screen two movies this month: “Batman Begins” on July 24 at AMC Classic Findlay, and “Ready Player One” on July 31 at AMC Easton Town Center (Columbus).
Ohio’s historic cinemas are popular OGTTM venues and CAPA’s Ohio Theatre (Columbus) will host the July 4th movies “Cars” and “Forrest Gump,” and on July 22 they will screen “Coal Miner’s Daughter” starring Columbus’ Beverly D’Angelo, who is providing a video message for the event. Also, among the many historic theatres screening in July are the St. Marys Theater & Grand Opera House July 20 screening of “First Man” (about Auglaize County’s own Neil Armstrong) and The Wayne Theatre’s (Greenville) July 21 screening of “Annie Oakley” (about Darke County’s own Annie Oakley).
Museum venues will set the stage when the Cincinnati Museum Center screens “Apollo 11: First Steps Edition” on July 18 and Great Lakes Science Center (Cleveland) screens “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on July 11.
Outdoor movies are popular this summer and community parks as well as recreation centers are hosting OGTTM events like the Ariel-Foundation Park (Mount Vernon) screening of “Bye Bye Birdie” on July 26, starring Mount Vernon’s own Paul Lynde. Grandview Heights Municipal Pool will screen “National Lampoon’s: Christmas Vacation” on July 24 and the same day Martins Ferry Veterans Memorial Recreation Center/Belmont County District Library are screening “Unstoppable.” Grove City Parks (Columbus) will screen “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” on July 1, and “Hook” on July 15; while the Colerain Park Amphitheater will show “Little Giants” on July 17.
Drive-in theatres also provide a perfect setting this summer like the Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In (North Ridgeville), which is hosting its Christmas in July event on July 28 with a holiday-themed double feature of “A Christmas Story” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Libraries are key OGTTM supporters, with events across the state, including examples such as the Cleveland Public Library hosting Cleveland Silent Film Festival’s screening of “The Scarlet Letter” on July 11; Mason Public Library at Kingswood Park screening “O Brother Where Art Thou?” on July 2; and the Carroll County District Library (Carrollton) screening of “The Avengers” on July 31. For full details on OGTTM events in July, visit OhioGoestotheMovies.org.
July Calendar Demonstrates Depth of OGTTM Venues
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Media Contacts:
Betty Weibel, Yopko Penhallurick, 216-956-4034 | bw@yp-pr.com
Jackie Reau, Game Day, 513-708-5822 | jreau@gamedaypr.com
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