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12 Ways to Watch Movies in Memphis You Might Not Know About

Whether you’re looking to escape the Memphis heat on a summer afternoon or to enjoy one of the few drive in theatres left in the country, a movie is the perfect way to pass the time. For a movie experience that’s outside of the box (office) check out this list.

Summer Drive In
Summer Drive-In, Photo: Amanda Hill

Memphis has one of the only drive-in movie theatres in the country, located on Summer Avenue. The Summer Drive-In offers double features nightly for just $7.50 and kids 10 and under are always free. Catch the next summer blockbuster or check out the Time Warp Series, hosted by Malco Theaters, Black Lodge video, and Guerilla Monster Films. For just $10/person you can enjoy a whole night of movies. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase.

Outflix is a program created by the MGLCC (Memphis Gay and Lesbian Community Center) to encourage high-quality LGBT+ cinema with accurate representations of their lives on screen in order to educate the Mid-South on what the LGBT+ community truly is. The program features an annual film festival in September with year-round events leading up to it.

The Unreal Film Festival is a Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror genre film festival with categories for both short and feature length films. Opening for entries starts in January and closes July 15th. Notification for winning and selected films occurs on August 1st. The festival takes place at Malco Studio on the Square.

Whether you’re in the mood for an award-winning foreign, documentary, cult, independent or classic film, the Brooks Museum has a wide variety of cinematic offerings.  Tickets are available online until 2:30 pm the day of the screening or 2:30 pm on Friday for weekend matinees.  For a list of upcoming films, click here.

From time to time the Dixon will host movie nights with light refreshments and a cash bar. Their next movie night is on March 16th.

Carriage Crossing hosts their Movie Mania series from May through September. Check out their calendar for a list of upcoming shows and dates. Admission is free. Arrive early for giveaways and prizes beginning at 7pm. Movies begin at dusk.

At the Pink Palace’s enormous 3D theater, you can feel as if you’re truly flying airplanes in the early 20th century, walking side by side with dinosaurs, or floating through space. Check here for a list of shows and times.

Orpheum Memphis
Photo: Bailey Clark

Experience the beauty and charm of the Orpheum without the price of a ticket for a Broadway show. The Orpheum now hosts a year-round movie series that offers a range of modern films to beloved classics.

Located at the heart of the Historic Art District in Downtown Memphis with a commitment to a diverse cultural community, the Art Village Gallery often hosts documentary screenings.  Go here for their events calendar.

Indie Memphis
Photo: Breezy Lucia

Indie Memphis is a non-profit organization that seeks to enrich, inspire, and connect Memphis through the development of independent film. For nearly two decades, Indie Memphis has held the Indie Memphis Film Festival to celebrate the cultivation of independent features, documentaries, and short films for filmmakers, musicians, artists, and audiences from all over the country. They are also hosting a weekly film series every Wednesday starting in February. You can see all their upcoming events here.

Baobab Filmhouse, Memphis’ newest indie movie hotspot, is named after the baobab tree found in the African savanna, which represents a gathering place and symbolizes life and positivity amongst hardship. Located in the old Hattiloo Theatre space, the Baobab Filmhouse aims to foster awareness of social injustice and create a conversation about social issues by predominantly screening films by black filmmakers or films that feature black casts and themes showing the reality of living in the black community across the world. Owner Ekundayo Bandele is also the founder and chief executive officer of Hattiloo Theatre, located in Overton Square. Both of Bandele’s endeavors aim to celebrate diversity and use their platforms to educate and inform their audiences through film and theater. He hopes to bring exposure to the high art of black filmmaking through featuring films from across the world.

Crosstown Arts is a contemporary arts organization dedicated to further cultivating the creative community in Memphis. They provide resources and create opportunities and experiences to inspire, support, and connect a diverse range of creative people, projects, and audiences. Go here for their schedule of events and film screenings.

Know of a film festival or public movie-watching event that should be on this list? Please email contact@choose901.com for consideration.

What goes great with watching movies? Popcorn of course! Check out these local popcorn shops.

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