Movies on the Common are free family events open to all ages to enjoy a fun night under the stars! Come and enjoy an evening of some of your favorite movies with vendors selling their local goods from beverages and sandwiches to popcorn and more. The first 100 attendees will receive free popcorn, and the first 50 attendees will also receive a free food/drink voucher to use at one of the on-site food vendors. Bring your chairs and blankets for one of Worcester's beloved pastimes!
The 2024 Movies on the Common series is proudly presented by the Downtown Worcester BID and the City of Worcester.
Schedule:
6 p.m.: Common opens for seating on the green space and a variety of fun pre-movie activities at every event, including comedy, caricature artists, music, face painting, local food and more. Movie begins at dusk.
Movies
June 20 - Barbie (2023) - PG-13
To live in Barbie Land is to be a perfect being in a perfect place. Unless you have a full-on existential crisis. Or you're a Ken. From Oscar-nominated writer/director Greta Gerwig comes "Barbie," starring Oscar-nominees Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, alongside America Ferrera, Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman, Will Ferrell and many more.
Kick off the summer and celebrate Pride as "Barbie" graces the big screen. Before the film starts, enjoy a drag performance by Diva D and music from DJ TMAN2. Prepare to be entertained on a night filled with lots of pink, play and Ken-ergy.
July 18 - Free Guy (2022) - PG-13
A bank teller (Ryan Reynolds) discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, and decides to become the hero of his own story. Now, in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way before it’s too late.
Pre-movie activities will include a behind-the-scenes talk on filming in Worcester, a themed photo booth so you can take home free keepsake photos and comedy from our MC and local comic Latasha Hughes.
August 15 - Clue (1985) - PG-13
The murderously funny movie based on the world-famous Clue board game. Was it Colonel Mustard in the study with a gun? Miss Scarlet in the billiard room with the rope? Or was it Wadsworth the butler? Meet all the notorious suspects and discover all their foul play things. You'll love their dastardly doings as the bodies and the laughs pile up before your eyes.
Join us for an evening filled with suspense, including a live interactive murder mystery experience before the movie begins!
September 19 - In the Heights (2021) - PG-13
From the creator of "Hamilton," experience a cinematic event where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big... "In the Heights." Lights up on Washington Heights... The scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.
The evening's pre-movie entertainment will also feature free salsa lessons and performances from Raices Latin Dance.
October 17 - Haunted Mansion (2023) - PG-13
Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, "Haunted Mansion" is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. Featuring an all-star cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon, Dan Levy, Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto, this is a modern Halloween film for the whole family.
Adding to the haunted atmosphere, the evening will also include a short talk on the history of the Worcester Common Burial Ground by William D. Wallace, Executive Director of the Worcester Historical Museum, and ghost stories told live by Tim Weisberg before the movie begins.
Parking
There is plenty of affordable parking available within walking distance of the Worcester Common Oval, including the underground Worcester Common Garage at 2 Eaton Place, Mercantile Center Parking Garage, Federal Plaza Parking Garage and the Pearl-Elm Parking Garage.
See the Parking page for more information.
Inclement Weather
In the case of inclement weather, movies may be moved or rescheduled. For the most up-to-date information, visit the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District's Facebook Page at facebook.com/DowntownWorcesterBID.