Moonlight Cinema Announces More Details Ahead Of Opening Weekend

NEWARK, NJ —Earlier this month, the owners of Newark Moonlight Cinema, Newark's pop-up drive-in movie theater, announced they would be re-opening for a second season. This week, they offered more details about the Moonlight, which returns this weekend with some new amenities.

In a release, the owners -husband and wife team Ayana Stafford-Morris and Siree Morris - said the theater's new location would be at the former Baxter Terrace Complex, 220 Orange Street, which actually is where Ayana Stafford-Morris grew up. Last year's Moonlight Cinema took place at the former Newark Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium

The new drive-in will feature two 800-square-foot, container-backed viewing screens that will run different movies simultaneously. The Morrises said they can park up to 300 cars per night, which means a possibility of 600 to 800 attendees inside the cars per evening. Moonlight Cinema welcomed over 20,000 cars during its first year, according to owners.

"As we rise to the challenge of testing our business model through a major move, we have not wavered in our commitment to bring affordable and fun entertainment to our city," said Ayana Stafford-Morris, who is a filmmaker. "We have also seized the moment to further demonstrate our vision by adding amenities, features and events that enrich the experience of our patrons."

Each night this weekend, the doors to Moonlight Cinema will open at 7 p.m. At 9 p.m. Saturday "Coming 2 America" starring Eddie Murphy will be shown on one screen. At 9:15 p.m. "Without Remorse" will be shown on the other screen. The latter film, which came out this past spring, stars Newark-native Michael B. Jordan and is based on a 1993 Tom Clancy novel.

DJ Lil' Man will emcee festivities on the opening night, which falls on the same weekend Moonlight Cinema opened in 2020.

At 9 p.m. Sunday , "The Photograph" starring Issa Rae, will be screened, while August Wilson's "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," which stars Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman, begins 15 minutes later.

Moonlight Cinema is scheduled to show movies every Thursday through Sunday until October 31.

Also new this year, Moonlight, the drive-in's new on-site restaurant, will begin operation. The eatery, which according to a release, is housed in repurposed shipping containers and features gourmet crab cakes, lobster rolls and Yardy Wings, a specialty of kitchen manager Lindell "Yardy" Calder.

Popcorn and candy also will be available at Moonlight Cinema, which will remain a cashless venue. Concession transactions are processed through the FanFood app, available for free download on Google Play, the App Store and accessible via bit.ly/moonlightfood, the owners said.

Beginning July 31, the Morrises will launch Moonlight Market. Operating from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Saturday, the open-air bazaar will feature local vendors selling their goods and services.

"What my wife and I know, quite well, is that our community enjoys theatrics, style, good food, laughs and the culture," said Siree Morris, who works as a real estate developer. "This opening weekend, we are celebrating Blackness through family, fashion and uplifting the beauty of the African diaspora and (showing) a Michael B. Jordan banger that will definitely be considered a cult-classic in the future!"

Showtimes, schedule changes, special events and emergency notifications will be updated on the Moonlight Cinema website and across the social media platform @newarkmoonlight on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Any questions relating to vending, pre-show advertising, sponsorships and bookings should be directed to info@newarkmoonlight.com.