In 2026, Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM) will screen more than 250 Ohio-centric movies spread over all 88 Ohio counties. The OGTTM team is offering an early look at a few of the venues already on board. The venues and their OGTTM programming will present a broad range of movies with community collaborations from every corner of Ohio.
Early Bird Venues Feature Ohio-centric Movies and Community Collaboration
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, which showcases three iconic costume designers who worked with Hepburn on stage and screen productions, inspired the museum to host an OGTTM event, screening 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 OGTTM film facts pre-show, themed pre-film introductions, 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, is expected to attend and introduce the movie, in addition to speaking at a local library and doing a book-signing event with a local bookstore.
Ohio: A Treasure-trove of Movie Greats
Many early 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.
Last Chance to Sign Up
The deadline to sign up to be an OGTTM venue is September 30, 2025. Events that are selected will be included on the OGTTM calendar and promoted statewide.
For questions or to sign up email Molly Kreuzman or Bethany Berry.