Celebration Cinema Studio Park and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) are bringing free outdoor movies back to the Studio Park Piazza this summer. This year's Sunset Cinema series is presented by Mercantile Bank.
The series features 11 films including family-friendly favorites, classic blockbusters and recent award winners.
Sunset Cinema is one of many partnerships between Celebration Cinema Studio Park and DGRI since the Piazza opened in 2019. Both organizations continually work to build community, activate public spaces and support local businesses Downtown.
“We love to bring people together for more than a movie,” said Emily Loeks, Director of Community Affairs at Celebration Cinema. “There is something wonderful about an outdoor movie being shown Downtown. Groups of friends and family stake out claims to a patch of lawn with their blankets, and settle in for a magical night.”
The Sunset Cinema series builds on previous successful seasons, as well as DGRI’s public movie events over the last 10+ years, including Movies In The Park and Movies On Monroe. As always, the Sunset Cinema series is free and open to the public. The green space in Studio Park’s Piazza is surrounded by local retail and lots of great food, ice cream, popcorn and an outdoor bar.
The series runs all summer long on Saturday nights beginning on June 6 and concluding on August 22 (no movie on Saturday, July 4). Shows begin at 8:00 PM.
“Sunset Cinema is a great way for people to come together in an outdoor community setting and enjoy a free movie,” said Kim Van Driel, Director of Public Space Management at DGRI. “We’re grateful for our ongoing partnership with Celebration Cinema Studio Park to activate this wonderful space.”
Seating is first come, first served. Drinks will be available for purchase from surrounding businesses at Studio Park, including the indoor movie theater concessions. Outside snacks are allowed. Movie watchers are encouraged to bring their own low-profile chairs so that everyone has a comfortable view of the screen. Guests who park in the Studio Park(ing) ramp can have their parking validated with any food or beverage purchase from One Twenty Three Tavern.
After an online public vote with over 3,300 responses, the following movies were selected based on availability and popularity:
- A Goofy Movie (6/6/26)
- How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (6/13/26)
- Jurassic Park (6/20/26)
- The Great Gatsby (6/27/26)
- Everything Everywhere All At Once (7/11/26)
- Pitch Perfect (7/18/26)
- Encanto (7/25/26)
- Sinners (8/1/26)
- Interstellar (8/8/26)
- High School Musical (8/15/26)
- Twilight (8/22/26)
For additional information and details about the Sunset Cinema Series, please visit the FAQ page.
