All of the MidWestOne Bank Free Movies take place on the University of Iowa Pentacrest, outside of MacBride Hall in downtown Iowa City. Start times change from week to week with movies starting at sunset. We may feature music or special activities prior to the movie each week.
June 12 Shrek
Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow
Rated PG; 89 minutes; 2000
Beautiful princesses, handsome princes, witches, ogres, and fire-breathing dragons turn up in almost every fairy tale. They're all in this computer-animated adventure, but their roles, and the surprising plot twists are anything but expected in this fun adaptation of the children's book by William Steig.
June 19 Forrest Gump
Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Gary Sinise, Mykelti, Williamson, Sally Field
Rated PG-13; 137 minutes; 1994
Forrest Gump is a kind simpleton who unwittingly finds himself in the middle of major milestones in American history. His involvement in Watergate and Vietnam, friendships with John Lennon and President Johnson are all chronicled in this one-of-a-kind, Oscar-winning film that combines humor, heart-stopping emotion, and clever effects.
June 26 Footloose
Special performance before the movie by the Iowa City Community Band
Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, Christopher Penn, John Lithgow
Rated PG; 107 minutes; 1984
When a city boy (Kevin Bacon) moves to a small Midwestern town, he discovers some disappointing news: rock music and dancing are forbidden by the local government! Determined to bring some ‘80s style life into the town, he sets about changing the rules and eventually enlists the help of the daughter of the man responsible for the law. Rousing music, a talented cast (including a young Sarah Jessica Parker), and plenty of dancing make this an entertaining musical drama.
July 10 The Dark Knight
Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Michael Caine, Gary Oldman
Rated PG-13; 152 minutes; 2008
Batman continues his seemingly endless effort to bring justice to Gotham’s crime syndicate. This time the Dark Knight must team up with Lt. Gordon (Gary Oldman) and the newly appointed D.A. Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) to combat a new criminal called The Joker (Heath Ledger, in an Oscar-winning performance), whose eerie grin belies a dangerous agenda of chaos and mayhem. Widely considered to be the best comic book movie to date, this suspensful and thought provoking film examines the depths the caped crusader must go to become the hero Gotham City deserves.
July 17 Bring It On
Special performance before the movie by the Hawk All-Stars and West High
Cheerleaders
Kirsten Dunst, Eliza Dushku, Jesse Bradford
Rated PG-13; 98 minutes; 2000
Torrance Shipman (Kirsten Dunst) is captain of her high school’s cheerleading squad and they’re off to the championships to compete for their sixth consecutive title. This all-American girl’s got everything going for her until she discovers that her squad’s routine was stolen from an inner-city squad from Los Angeles, the East Compton Clovers. Meanwhile, the Clovers have their own problem: they have to figure out a way to raise enough money to make it to the competition in this booty-shakin’ teen drama.
July 24 Twister
Bill Paxton, Helen Hunt, Jamie Gertz, Cary Elwes
Rated PG-13; 114 minutes; 1996
A team of brave scientists led by Jo and Bill Harding (Helen Hunt and Bill Paxton) "hunt" tornadoes to learn how to predict them. This wildly exciting action thriller features a fast-paced plot with impressive digital special effects. Filmed in Iowa!
July 31 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint
Rated PG; 161 minutes; 2002
The world’s most popular wizard – Harry Potter – returns for his second year at Hogwart’s with his friends Ron and Hermione despite a warning from house elf, Dobby, that great danger awaits him. Students are literally being petrified and Harry becomes suspect #1. He must figure out a way to save the school from this dark force, close the chamber of secrets forever and clear his name in the process.
August 7 Singin’ in the Rain or Rain Date
Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor
Not Rated; 102 minutes; 1952
Considered by many to be the finest musical comedy of all-time, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN is sheer delight. Betty Comden and Adolph Green wrote this wonderful film about the time when movies were changing from silent to talkies. The songs range from the hilarious "Make 'Em Laugh," performed by Donald O'Connor, to the delicate "You Were Meant for Me" and the show-stopping classic "Singin' in the Rain" solo by Gene Kelly.
August 14 Finding Nemo
Voices by: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Geoffrey Rush
Rated G; 100 min; 2003
The wizards at Pixar take us under the sea to the world of clownfish, Marlin, and his son Nemo. When the defiant Nemo takes off from his dad and gets captured by a tropical fish-seeker, he finds himself stuck in a fishbowl in a dentist’s office. Marlin and his well-meaning but wacky friend, Dory, embark on an epic journey to find his son.