Ohio Goes to the Movies Rocks Summer With August Roster of Free Films Across the State
COLUMBUS, Ohio (July 15, 2026) – Independence Day and the nation’s most patriotic America 250 celebrations are behind us, but Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM) is continuing strong through the summer. The first-of-its-kind Ohio-centric movie series will run through October with free screenings in every one of Ohio’s 88 counties.
“Each venue selected its own movie from our Ohio Movie Database,” explained OGTTM Program Director Molly Kreuzman. “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.”
August Calendar Demonstrates Depth of Ohio Movie Connections
The unique venues hosting OGTTM events make the series even more special. Along with traditional cinemas, screenings take place at historic theaters, drive-ins, museums, parks, recreation centers and libraries. So why did hosts choose these films? Several types of movies are making their OGTTM debut in August. Here are a few reasons why:
The North Baltimore Public Library and North Baltimore Historical Society selected “Eenie Meanie” for their August 5 feature at the Virginia Theater because portions were filmed in nearby northwest Ohio, including the Hollywood Casino in Toledo. “With Toledo located just about 40 minutes from North Baltimore, the film has a strong local connection,” said Tammy Trout of the North Baltimore Public Library.
“We are hosting ’Holler’ on August 12 because Nicole Riegel (writer/director) was born and raised in Jackson and was even part of the TriCity Theatre (Jackson) family while she was in high school. It has been a great experience for the theater and our town to watch Nicole grow in the movie industry from behind the concession stand to behind the camera. She brought ’Holler’ home when it was just a short film and, in conjunction with the Southern Hills Arts Council, we were able to screen a premiere of it at TriCity to a local audience, and then again as a feature film in 2021. A product of the challenges of Appalachia, Nicole’s first feature film was written about some realities of this area and was filmed in nearby communities, so we wanted to highlight her and the depiction of our area by someone who knows it well,” said Cora Willett, president of TriCity Theatre.
The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County will be screening “The Ice Pirates” at the Toronto Branch on August 13.According to organizer Jennifer Cesta, “We chose this movie because of its local ties. It stars Robert Urich who is from Toronto, Ohio. We’re excited to hear stories about our hometown hero and the people who knew him and his family.”
As part of an ongoing tribute to women in early cinema, The Esquire Theatre in Cincinnati is screening “A Raisin in the Sun” on August 14. The movie stars Ruby Dee from Cleveland whose career in acting spanned eight decades. In 1959, she gained prominence playing a suffering housewife in the projects in Lorraine Hansberry’s Broadway play “A Raisin in the Sun” – the first play written by Black woman to be produced on Broadway. Acting alongside Sidney Poitier, she reprised the role opposite Poitier in the 1961 film.
Abigail Inbody, executive director, Hancock Historical Museum in Findlay, explained their August 15 movie’s connection to Ohio: “We selected ’The Mummy’ (1999) because it has a meaningful local connection. John A. Berton Jr., an Ada, Ohio, native, worked on the film’s groundbreaking computer generated imagery, and will be joining us to share his experiences before the screening. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate someone with roots close to Hancock County while giving our community a unique behind-the-scenes look at a beloved classic.”
On August 15 Kent State University Stark will screen the 1946 film “Duel in the Sun.” It wasselected because Lillian Gish, who is in the movie, lived in Massillon, which is just down the road from the campus.
“This film is the perfect love letter to Massillon and its passion for football. We selected “Go Tigers!” to play at our theatre because it spotlights the local high school and speaks to what football means to the town,” said Scott Youngblood, General Manager of Regal Massillon. “It’s the perfect film to kick off the fall football season on August 15.”
On August 27, Alliance Historical Society at University of Mount Union is presenting works from Ben Patterson “Documenting the Journey: Stories, Cuts, Conversations and Coming Attractions.”
“Our selection was not so much about the movie but about celebrating one of our own who has gone on to a career as a successful documentarian. Ben Patterson grew up in Alliance and graduated from Alliance High School. He has earned awards for his documentary ’Sweet Micky for President’ and is working on a follow-up documentary to this title. Ben will share film pieces from his work and the stories behind them. The Alliance Historical Society applauds his success and is proud to share it with the community. A bonus will be his personal appearance and willingness to work with the students at his alma mater to encourage their efforts in the field,” explained Karen Perone, president, Alliance Historical Society.
“We chose the movie ‘Swordfish’ because the director, Domenic Sena, is from Niles,” said Jamie Gallner, general manager of Regal Eastwood (Niles), of their August 29 screening.
For full details on OGTTM events in August, visit the calendar at OhioGoestotheMovies.org.
August 2026 Ohio Goes to the Movies Events
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Betty Weibel, Yopko Penhallurick, 216-956-4034 | bw@yp-pr.com
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