Jun 17, 2024 - Things to Do

Adults-only outdoor movie series debuts in Cleveland

Troy Smith

Illustration of a movie projector projecting light and vintage cars against a night sky — Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

Anyone who thinks the joy of going to the movies is dead hasn't seen the bonkers box office numbers for "Inside Out 2's" or explored Northeast Ohio's outdoor movie lineup this summer.

Driving the news: NightLight, an outdoor movie series for adults 21 and older, premieres Thursday in Cleveland atop the Great Lakes Science Center's parking garage.

How it works: The event features a bar, food trucks and a DJ, starting at 7:30pm. The schedule is as follows:

"Step Brothers" (June 20)
"Mean Girls" (July 11)
"Top Gun: Maverick" (July 25)
"Wedding Crashers" (Aug. 15)
"10 Things I Hate About You" (Aug. 29)
"Get Out" (Sept. 19)
"Hocus Pocus" (Oct. 3)

The big picture: NightLight comes from Vanline Co., a Columbus-based events promoter that hosts similar movie nights in Columbus, Cincinnati, Nashville and Miami.

The company bills "NightLight" as "social cinema" with online marketing centered on photos of young adults and fancy drone shots.

Yes, but: NightLight isn't the only outdoor movie game in town.

Communities such as Beachwood, Berea, Fairview Park, Lakewood, North Royalton and Westlake all host free events throughout the summer.

Be smart: Check the weather as temperatures could still be near the mid-80s at showtime for Thursday's screening of "Step Brothers."

If you go: Tickets, which are selling fast, start at $11.

Season passes are $84.

Go deeper: 8 Northeast Ohio drive-in theaters to check out

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Adults-only outdoor movie series debuts in Cleveland

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