Scott FeinblattThere’s nothing quite like watching a movie in the sanctified setting of a darkened theater. Then again, there’s also nothing quite like enjoying an outdoor screening of a movie in a park. This summer, the County of Orange and OC Parks are continuing to treat families to free screenings through their third annual Sunset Cinema film series. Starting June 14, the series began at Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Brea with Zootopia (2016) and Grease (1978). Throughout the rest of the summer, Craig Regional Park, Yorba Regional Park, Mason Regional Park, Irvine Park, Laguna Niguel Regional Park and Salt Creek Beach will continue the series by screening two films each until the season concludes on September 13. All of the screenings are free and open to the whole family, so pack a picnic (or take your wallet for the on-site food trucks), bring your blankets, chairs and pillows, and prepare yourself to be transported from your natural surroundings to a variety of lands of imagination.
(Courtesy of Sunset Cinema)
On June 28, Craig Regional Park will become an interstellar hub as Thor (2011) arrives from Asgard in the first film of Marvel’s current Thor franchise. Did you forget what Thor’s life and adventures were like before he joined the Avengers? Then come down to the park and revisit the spectacle. Following this, on July 5, dinosaurs will stalk the park in the first of another larger-than-life film franchise, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park (1993).
For more info on these screenings (including showtimes), contact: (714) 973-3180 or [email protected].
(Courtesy of Sunset Cinema)
Next up, the series descends upon Yorba Regional Park (7600 E. La Palma, Anaheim) with a July 12 screening of Paddington 2 (2018). This highly acclaimed animated film follows the continuing adventures of Paddington the bear, as he settles into his new community and has to deal with the theft of a valuable birthday gift he’d intended to give to his Aunt Lucy. Then on July 19, join the colorful cadre of young misfits known as The Goonies (1985) as they endure small-town struggles while seeking the hidden pirate treasure of One-Eyed Willy, in Richard Donner’s instant classic.
For more info on these screenings (including showtimes), contact: (714)973-6838 or [email protected].
(Courtesy of Sunset Cinema)
On July 26, Mason Regional Park (18712 University Drive, Irvine) will host a screening of The Incredibles 2 (2018). Experience the domestic struggles and career complications of the Parr family (aka everyone’s favorite family of “supers”) as they must, once again, save the world. The following week, join Doctor Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd) and Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) in Robert Zemeckis’s classic tale of a time travelling DeLorean, the adventure/comedy Back to the Future (1985).
For more info on these screenings (including showtimes), contact: (949) 923-2220 or [email protected].
Disney was at the helm of the next duo. First, Emily Blunt stars as the quintessential magical nanny in Mary Poppins Returns (2018), which will screen on Aug. 8 at Irvine Park (1 Irvine Park Road, Orange). Then, on Aug. 16, the park will screen Disney’s animated adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s classic story about a boy raised by animals, The Jungle Book (1967).
For more info on these screenings (including showtimes), contact: (714) 973-6835 or
On Aug. 23, the outdoor movie train takes us to Laguna Niguel Regional Park (28241 La Paz Rd., Laguna Niguel), where The Lego Movie 2 (2019) will showcase the continuing adventures of Emmet Brickowski (Chris Pratt), who must now help the Lego people of his world defend themselves from the Lego Duplo invaders from another world. Next up is a classic whose quotes continue to permeate pop culture. Rob Reiner directs the brilliantly penned William Goldman book/screenplay The Princess Bride (1987). “Hello, my name is Indigo Montoya. You killed my father; prepare to die!” The screening is Aug. 30.
For more info on these screenings (including showtimes), contact: (949) 923-2240 or [email protected].
On Sept. 6, at Bluff Park at Salt Creek Beach (33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point), the summer series winds down with the first of their two screenings, Disney’s Lilo & Stitch (2002). Of course, this is the widely beloved, animated story of friendship between a young Hawaiian girl and an extraterrestrial battle monster. And finally, on Sept. 13, the Sunset Cinema Series concludes, ironically, with The Endless Summer (1966). This film is the creme de la creme of Bruce Brown’s surfing documentaries; it focuses on the global quest of two surfers, who seek the perfect wave.
For more info on these screenings (including showtimes), contact: (949) 923-2280 or [email protected],
(Courtesy of Sunset Cinema)
General information on the event and links to specific parks can be found at ocparks.com.
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