CAPA Summer Movie Series Returns to Ohio Theatre in Columbus

The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA) has announced the return of the CAPA Summer Movie Series to the Ohio Theatre. The 57th season of the event, which is the longest-running classic film series in the United States, will run from June 18 to August 16, 2026.

This year’s programming features 28 classic films and cult favorites. The lineup includes a variety of offerings, including milestone anniversaries, premieres, and a tribute to the late director Rob Reiner.

Featured titles for the 2026 season include Pretty Woman, Gremlins, Spaceballs, and Silence of the Lambs.

The series will be hosted at the Ohio Theatre, located at 39 E. State St. In Columbus, a historic venue that was originally constructed as a movie house.

Single tickets for individual screenings are priced at $6, with senior and student tickets available for $5. Single tickets go on sale Monday, June 1, 2026, and can be purchased in advance or at the CAPA Ticket Center starting one hour before showtimes.

For frequent attendees, CAPA is offering ticket 10-packs for $40, providing a savings of $2 per ticket compared to day-of-show prices. These 10-packs are valid for any film in any combination and are available for purchase through Friday, July 31, 2026.

A central element of the experience is the pre-show entertainment provided by organist Clark Wilson. Now in his 34th year as the featured organist for the series, Wilson performs on the Mighty Morton theatre organ 30 minutes prior to each screening.

Beyond the films, CAPA offers free, one-hour guided tours of the historic Ohio Theatre. These tours include a light show and an organ demonstration by Wilson on the Mighty Morton, presented by Ice Miller.

Ohio Connections and Community Programming

As part of the 2026 series, CAPA is partnering with Ohio Goes to the Movies to present two free screenings. This initiative celebrates the 250th anniversary of America by showcasing films that feature Ohio locations or Ohioans working behind and in front of the camera.

On Friday, June 19, 2026, the series will screen The Butler, which is based on the book written by Columbus native Wil Haygood. Haygood is scheduled to be present on June 19 to introduce the film and participate in a pre-show opportunity with attendees.

The second free screening will take place on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, featuring Coal Miner’s Daughter, which stars Columbus native Beverly D’Angelo as Patsy Cline.

Rich Corsi, CAPA’s vice president of programming, emphasized the community-focused nature of the series and the organization’s commitment to responding to audience requests.

Coming up with unique opportunities to show these films is nice. We have a lot of fun with it and Columbus supports it. We get so many responses and requests − and we listen. We pride ourselves on trying to make this movie series something for everyone. It’s a giveback to the community.

Rich Corsi, CAPA Vice President of Programming

In addition to the cinematic offerings and live music, the series includes trivia and other perks designed to provide a budget-friendly alternative to modern cinema prices.