1-31-2026 3:46pm

Ohio Goes to the Movies Reveals Free February Event Details

Beth Callahan Editor

Story and photo courtesy of Game Day Communications

COLUMBUS, OH --Ohio Goes to the Movies, an America 250-Ohio Signature Event, is preparing to launch its yearlong series of free events, starting with its calendar of free February 2026 film screenings. Each venue is planning its own unique event with pre- and post-event activities in addition to screening a movie(s) of its choice. Activities range from special guests and speakers to trivia events and red-carpet openings. All screenings feature an important Ohio connection, many of which are related to the host community.

“Our venue hosts selected a wide range of movie titles offering something for everyone! Ohio Goes to the Movies will deliver. You will be entertained and can share a fun movie experience with family, friends, and community. You can discover Ohio’s small towns and large cities and their unique culture and attractions. It’s an economical road trip for solo travelers or multigenerational families, and everyone is invited to attend as many events as they like,” said Molly Kreuzman, Ohio Goes to the Movies program director.

February Screening Details

The first Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM) event will kick off on February 11 (Thomas Edison’s birthday) with the Edison Birthplace Association hosting “A Night at the Movies with Mr. Edison” at the Milan Town Hall. “We selected a mix of Edison films that showcase the variety of early motion pictures. The program includes comedy, drama and even early advertising, which reflects the breadth of the work that emerged from Edison Studios. These engaging short films (‘Jack & The Beanstalk’ from 1902, ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Alice in Wonderland’ from 1910) highlight how motion pictures quickly became both entertainment and social commentary,” said Cindi Rospert, director of the Edison Birthplace Museum.

The event will feature an Edison impersonator as emcee to welcome the audience and share background on Edison's role in film history. “Mr. Edison” will introduce each film and explain its importance, and guests can ask questions and take part in a post-screening discussion.

February 12 will be a big day of OGTTM events around the state. Among the films showing that day are two blockbusters with strong Ohio connections. “The Shawshank Redemption” will screen at theGateway Film Center in Columbus. It was filmed in Ohio and features actor Clancy Brown from Urbana. Phoenix Theatres Great Northern Mall in North Olmsted will screen “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” 70mm. Directed and co-written by Steven Spielberg (Cincinnati), the film stars Teri Garr (Lakewood) and Roberts Blossom (Cleveland).

Communities will celebrate their Ohio connections during several other February 12 screenings:

The Lyric Theater in Wooster will screen “Raising Arizona”, and after the film they will host a Q&A with Christopher Buchanan and J. Todd Anderson. Buchanan is a filmmaker and one of The Lyric Theater's founders. He lived in Wooster for many years and worked on “Raising Arizona.” Anderson, a storyboard artist for “Raising Arizona,” also lives in Ohio and has worked on every Coen Brothers film.

The Bryan Theatre will screen “The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio”, selected because Defiance is only a short 20-minute drive from Bryan, making it especially relevant to the community. The film was adapted from the novel of the same name by Defiance author Terry Ryan and stars Woody Harelson (Lebanon). “We are also partnering with the Williams County Public Library History Annex, which will provide a presentation on the history of movie theaters in Williams County for the screening. A group of students from Fairview High School is currently working on a short documentary that will be shown during the event. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided for community attendees,” said Vanessa Garcia, manager, Bryan Theatre.

The Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County Adena Branch will host its first of nine OGTTM events on Presidents Day with the screening of “Guarding Tess”, a film about a former first lady and her Secret Service handler, with Ohio actors Austin Pendleton (Warren) and David Graf (Lancaster). The various library events will be held at their seven branches and two off-site locations, including Historic Fort Steuben.

Ohio Connections Spotlighted in Second Half of February

On February 15, Cincinnati’s independently owned Theatre Management Corporation will launch the first of its three OGTTM events showcasing actresses from Ohio who had long-standing careers and overcame early struggles in the industry to serve as inspiration to contemporaries in the field. The Kenwood Theatre will screen, “Boy, Did I Get a Wrong Number” with Lima’s Phyllis Diller. The event will be hosted as a premiere showing with red carpet, step-and-repeat photo opportunities, themed concessions, film facts pre-show, themed pre-film introduction, and post-film discussions.

On February 19, the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus is collaborating with Thurber House and Museum to screen two films adapted from works by James Thurber, including “The Male Animal” with Henry Fonda. Based on Thurber’s Broadway play, the film highlights Central Ohio locales and unfolds during a match between Ohio State and rival University of Michigan. “We thought it would be great to spotlight someone who was born in Columbus and attended Ohio State and to create a moment for our community to learn more about this important figure in our history,” said Wexner organizer Dave Filipi. They will also screen the short film, “A Unicorn in the Garden”. Thurber House is proud to support the evening, with docent Steve Andersson introducing each film. His remarks will highlight Thurber’s life, his influence on American humor and his deep roots in Columbus.

On February 20, Youngstown State University will screen “The Deer Hunter” and host a pre-screening reception at the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor (museum). The film screening will be at the Williamson College of Business Administration auditorium with an intermission panel discussion by field experts. Parts of the movie were filmed in the Youngstown area, hence its relevance to the local working-class industrial lifestyle and culture.

Also screening that weekend: On February 21at Regal Hudson, “The Big Short”, starring Steve Carell (Denison University) and John Magaro (Akron), and at Springfield State Theater, “La La Land”, which was executive produced by and stars John Legend (Springfield); on February 22 at Republic Theatres Wilmington Plaza, “The Wizard of Oz”, starring Margaret Hamilton (Cleveland) as the Wicked Witch and Charley Grapewin (Xenia) as Uncle Henry.

On February 22, Atlas Cinemas Barrington in Aurora will screen “Unstoppable”. The film centers around the life of wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg and went on to win a national championship in 2011. It was filmed in Ohio and stars local wrestler Johnni DiJulius (Aurora; The Ohio State University). As part of the screening, local wrestling teams may participate in a discussion about what it takes to get into wrestling and make it to the levels as seen in the film.

Wrapping up the month, on February 26, Dayton Metro Library and the National Afro-American Culture Museum (NAACM) will screen “Beloved”, a film adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Toni Morrison (Lorain). Programming will include a biography of Morrison and a moderated conversation by a NAACM representative with panelists including a poet, film expert and historian.

The full calendar of events and details is available at OhioGoesToTheMovies.org and includes links to venues as well as the Ohio connection to each film. All Ohio Goes to the Movies events listed on the calendar are free, but venues will be ticketing to control attendance overflow.