Free Family Movies at Clearview Cinemas this Summer

Thursday marked the beginning of an eight-week series at Clearview Cinemas at SOPAC. For the next seven Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., the theater will be offering a free family movie. Ron Areopagida, a manager at the theater, was uncertain of the first screening's turnout but said the theater only had 151 seats and he advised guests to “get there early.”

Nearly every seat was taken, and moviegoers from towns in the immediate area arrived to watch The Tale of Despereaux. Maria, a caregiver from Short Hills, attended the movie with her charge, 4-year-old Ryan. “His parents told me about this. And it’s free,” she said with a laugh.

Maplewood resident Wendi Grzelewski attended the movie with her two sons, Luke, 10 and Adam, 9. “This is our third year coming. It’s a great thing to do, especially on a rainy day!”

There were also a number of camp groups attending the movie, such as Pam Dance Summer Camp and South Orange Summer Camp.

Here's the movie schedule for the rest of the summer:

• July 9: Arthur and the Invisibles
• July 16: Kung Fu Panda
• July 30: Hoodwinked
• Aug. 6: Space Chimps
• Aug. 13: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa
• Aug. 20: Alvin and the Chipmunks
• Aug. 27: Meet Dave

Check here for more information and a listing of other participating theaters