Columbus, Ohio – August 2025 – In 2026, the America 250-Ohio signature event, Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM), will screen more than 250 Ohio-centric movies spread over all 88 Ohio counties, recognizing Ohioans in front of and behind the camera like Paul Newman, Macy Gray, Dean Martin, Woody Harrelson, Ruby Dee, Doris Day, Rachael Harris, and many more. The OGTTM team is continuing to sign-up venues until September and is offering an early look at those already on board. The venues and their OGTTM programming will present a broad range of movies with community collaborations from every corner of Ohio.
Movie experiences not to be missed!
Many of the Ohio Goes to the Movies venues are creating unique experiences and creative community collaborations. For example, a few early applicants include:
- McConnell Arts Center (MAC) in Worthington will screen “Best in Show” (2000) featuring Rachael Harris who is from Worthington, attended Otterbein University, and plans to attend the screening. The venue is partnering with a local animal rescue organization so guests will have the opportunity to meet local rescue or shelter dogs available for adoption and learn more about the services the organization offers. After the screening, the MAC will host a facilitated discussion with Harris.
- The Kent State University Museum in Kent features one of the world’s most important collections of fashion textiles and decorative arts, including clothing and costumes from the estate of film legend Katharine Hepburn. The museum’s current exhibition, Hepburn Style: Katharine and Her Designers, showcases three iconic costume designers who worked with Hepburn on stage and screen productions, inspired the museum to host an OGTTM event. It will screen the Academy Award-winning movie “The Philadelphia Story” (1940) starring Hepburn and written by Ohio screenwriter Donald Ogden Stewart. The screening celebrates both the museum’s exceptional fashion and costume collection and the enduring impact of Ohio talent on Hollywood history.
- Cincinnati‘s only independently owned theater group will showcase actresses from Ohio who had long-standing careers: The Esquire Theatre will show “A Raisin in the Sun” (1961) with Cleveland’s Ruby Dee; Mariemont Theatre will screen “Lover Come Back” (1961) with Cincinnati’s Doris Day; and The Kenwood Theatre will show “Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number” (1966) with Lima’s Phyllis Diller. The events will be hosted as premiere showings with red carpet, step and repeat photo opportunities, themed concessions (from Ohio suppliers such as Doscher’s Candy, Esther Price, Baked By Jen cookies, etc.), specialized Ohio Goes to the Movies film facts pre-show, themed pre-film introduction, and post-film discussions of their Ohio connection, women’s early struggles in the industry and their inspiration to contemporaries in the field.
- The historic Cedar Lee Theatre in Cleveland Heights will host “Cool Hand Luke” starring Paul Newman, who worked at the Cedar Lee in his youth. Newman’s daughter, Melissa, will introduce the movie and participate in a Q & A session afterward. In addition, she will speak at Cuyahoga County Public Library in advance of the event and sign her book, “HEAD OVER HEELS: Joanne Woodward & Paul Newman: A Love Affair in Words and Pictures.”
Some OGTTM applicants illustrate the depth of Ohio’s movie connections in the acting field. For example, the Colony Square 7 Cinemas in Loveland (part of the Republic Theater Group) will screen “The Hunger Games” (2012) which features actor Woody Harrelson who graduated from Lebanon High School. Steubenville’s Dean Martin Festival (organized by the Dean Martin Association) will screen hometown favorite Dean Martin’s Western, “Rio Bravo” (1959). Sauder Village in Archbold will screen “The Sound of Music” (1965) with Eleanor Parker (Baroness) who was born in Cedarville and gained valuable acting experience in Cleveland.
Ohio connections from behind the camera are also being represented by OGTTM venues. Robins Theatre in Warren selected “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001) which was directed by local favorite Chris Columbus. Lions Lincoln Theatre in Massillon selected “Spiderman” (2002) because the movie features a cameo and music performed by Stark County native Macy Gray. Massillon’s art museum, library and arts council are teaming up for their OGTTM screening to cross-promote various art forms (film/theatre and music) in their community.
Ohio: A Treasure Trove of Movie Greats
Ohio Goes to the Movies recognizes Ohioans’ vast contributions in the film industry in front of and behind the camera, as well as movies made in Ohio. This first-of-its-kind event will kick off February 11, 2026, and run for about 250 days, with screenings in every one of Ohio’s 88 counties. Ohio Goes to the Movies created the Ohio Movie Database, a website resource of Ohio-centric content to inspire involvement and awareness.
Columbus’ own, actress Beverly D’Angelo of “National Lampoon’s Vacation” movie fame, stars in a movie trailer for OGTTM. Additional details can be found at OhioGoestotheMovies.org.
Venue Sign-Up
According to OGTTM Program Director Molly Kreuzman, “More than 250 venues have already signed on to host movie events, including drive-ins, historic theaters, commercial cinemas as well as community centers, museums, libraries and more. Ohio Goes to the Movies is growing beyond our expectations, and we are so excited because no one has ever done something of this reach and scope.”
The deadline to sign up to be an Ohio Goes to the Movies event is September 30, 2025. Events that meet the criteria and are selected will be included on the OGTTM calendar and promoted statewide. For questions or to sign up email Molly Kreuzman (mkreuzman@ohiohistory.org) and Bethany Berry (bberry@ohiohistory.org.)
Digital Magazine
If you would like to stay up to speed on Ohio Goes to the Movies and also learn about Ohio’s many movie venues and destinations, stories of Ohioans from the movie industry in front of and behind the camera, Ohio-centric movie trivia and more, sign up for the monthly digital magazine here. To see archived issues of the magazine, visit here.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST (Courtesy of Ohio Goes to the Movies)
Media Contacts:
Jackie Reau – jreau@gamedaypr.com/513-708-5822
Michelle Wood – mw@yp-pr.com/440-318-4291
