Free Drive-In Movie Series Coming To Philly's Mann Center

PHILADELPHIA — Drive-in movies are becoming the new, safe way to take in movies amid the coronavirus pandemic, and Philadelphia's Parks and Recreation department is offering its own drive in.

The Philly Drive-In will launch Friday, Aug. 21, in the parking lot in front of the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in West Fairmount Park.

This totally free drive-in will operate for six-weeks, showing blockbusters, classics, and family films. A full list of movies being shown in the series is below.

The Philly Drive-in, presented by T-Mobile with support from the BlackStar Film Festival, the Mann Center for the Performing Arts, Live Nation Urban, Live Nation Philadelphia.

The first movie being shown will be "Be Water" from the BlackStar Film festival. "Be Water" will debut at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.

The BlackStar Film Festival is the world’s premier celebration of Black, Brown, and Indigenous film and video artists, on Friday, August 21 through Sunday, August 23. One rain date for all of these films is set for Wednesday, Aug. 26.

After the BlackStar Film Festival screenings, movies to be shown include "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," "Trolls," and "The Lion King."

Each of the free screenings includes a short film by the Philadelphia Environmental Film Festival and a feature film with the premiere on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The first 100 patrons will receive free frozen treats by Dre’s Homemade Water Ice & Ice Cream.

Treats will be handed out upon vehicle entry and while supplies last.

To adhere to local public health guidance and help ensure proper social distancing, only patrons in vehicles will have access to the screening area and tickets are required for entry. Free tickets can be reserved online.

All movies will begin at 9 p.m., with pre-show screenings at 8:30 p.m.

Below is the screening schedule for The Philly Drive-In

BlackStar Film Festival screenings

Be Water — Friday, Aug. 21
A gripping, intimate look at not just the final, defining years of Bruce Lee’s life, but the complex, often difficult journey that led to Lee’s ultimate emergence as a singular icon in the histories of film and martial arts. Friday, August 21

The Forty-Year-Old Version — Saturday, Aug. 22
Radha, a down-on-her-luck NY playwright, is desperate for a breakthrough before 40. But when she foils what seems like her last shot at success, she’s left with no choice but to reinvent herself as rapper RadhaMUSPrime. The Forty-Year-Old Version follows Radha as she vacillates between the worlds of Hip Hop and theater on a quest to find her true voice. Winner of the Directing Prize at The 2020 Sundance Film Festival, The Forty-Year-Old Version is a hilariously candid and deeply personal debut from writer/director Radha Blank. A fresh addition to the New York City slice-of-life canon shot in lush black and white 35mm, Blank’s film is an ode to the unfulfilled, and those whose adversity gives them a one-of-a-kind story to tell. Saturday, August 22

Miss Juneteenth — Sunday, Aug. 23
A former beauty queen and single mom prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the “Miss Juneteenth” pageant. Sunday, August 23

The Philly Drive-In Lineup

Jurassic Park
Tuesday, Aug. 25 (rain date is Thursday, Aug., 27); Friday, Aug. 28

Trolls
Wednesday, Sept. 2; Friday, Sept. 4

School of Rock
Wednesday, Sept. 9; Friday, Sept. 11

The Lion King (2019)
Wednesday, Sept. 16; Friday, Sept. 18

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
Wednesday, Sept. 23; Friday, Sept. 25

In the event of inclement weather, the rain date will be the following day, except for the screening scheduled for August 25.

Please note, each week the same film will be screened twice.

Free Tickets will be released online in accordance with the schedule below.

• Friday, Aug. 21 to Friday, Aug. 28 (today at 10 a.m.)
• Wednesday, Sept. 2 to Friday, Sept. 11 (Thursday, Aug. 27 at 10 a.m.)
• Wednesday, Sept. 16 to Friday, Sept. 25 (Thursday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m.)

Below are safety guidelines required at The Philly Drive-In:

• Patrons must stay in their vehicles for the duration of the screenings. They may exit their vehicles only to use the restroom and to purchase refreshments.
• Masks and social distancing are required when patrons are outside their vehicle.
• Social distancing ambassadors will offer light-touch rule reminders in the parking, food service and restrooms areas.
• Local food trucks will offer pay as you go (not free) food and beverages following public health guidelines.
• Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks.
• Patrons will be encouraged to use a mobile device to do QR code contactless scanning through their vehicle window for entry.
• Ticket holders will receive detailed safety procedures in advance of the screening and upon entrance into the drive-in area.