The new summer movie season has arrived, with a slate of films to be screened in the outdoor setting of the Mission Marquee Plaza on San Antonio’s South Side.
All Outdoor Family Film Series movies are free, scheduled for the first and third Saturdays and third Thursdays of each month through Nov. 19. The plaza, located at 3100 Roosevelt Ave, will open at 7 p.m., and movies will start shortly after dusk. Food trucks will be on hand with a variety of food and beverages for sale.
The series begins Saturday with Encanto, the latest in Disney’s set of animated films exploring world cultures. Set “in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place” in the mountains of Colombia, Encanto tells the story of a charmed family with mysterious powers, with songs written by Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” and “In the Heights” fame.
To celebrate Colombian culture in honor of the film, scheduled activities for Saturday evening include traditional dance performances by Ritmo Colombiano, the Sabor de Sanchez food truck, and free face painting.
The summerlong movie schedule reflects a diverse range of tastes: from E.T. The Extraterrestrial on its 40th anniversary (May 19) and the otherworldly epic Dune (May 21), to down-to-Earth throwbacks The Love Bug (July 21) and Friday Night Lights (Aug. 18).
Fans of the Marvel Comics Universe will not be disappointed, with selections including Spider-Man, Captain Marvel, and Eternals.
A full movie schedule is available here.
Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran (D3) said the series of films reflects the commitment of the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office, the series sponsor, to offer a diverse selection of movies that reflect community tastes. Several selections on the schedule are marked with orange checkmarks, which reflect movies requested by community members.
The Outdoor Family Film Series is one of many ongoing events set in the plaza, which will be regularly activated with monthly farmers and artisans markets, free community wellness events, and cultural events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in September and Dia de los Muertos in late October, with a special altar made with community submissions.
World Heritage Office Director Colleen Swain said Mission Marquee Plaza is “a gathering place for the entire San Antonio community,” and events are open to residents and visitors to the city alike.
