UNCW Office of the Arts, Cucalorus, StarNews, and WHQR Public Media are excited to bring drive-in movies back to Wilmington every Friday night in the Kenan Auditorium parking lot! Each movie is preceded by a short film curated by Cucalorus.

Time: 8:00 p.m. (dusk), parking begins at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $28 per carload (plus tax and online fee)

The parking gate will be closed at the starting time of the event (8:00 p.m.). Vehicles will not be permitted to enter the parking lot once this gate is closed. Refunds will not be provided for late arrivals. The lot opens for parking at 7:00 p.m.

All tickets must be purchased online in advance using mobile or print-at-home options. Tickets will not be available in person. A ticket must be shown to staff as proof of purchase when arriving to the lot (electronic/mobile or print at home receipt).

Tickets may be purchased here

• No re-entry will be permitted.
• Inclement Weather: Heavy rain, wind or lightning will cause cancellation of the movie. Light rain is not a cause for cancellation. Refunds will be given in the event of a weather cancellation up to the first 30 minutes of the film. After 30 minutes of the film have played, no refunds will be given.
• The parking gate will be closed at the starting time of the event (8:00 p.m.). Vehicles will not be permitted to enter the parking lot once this gate is closed. Refunds will not be provided for late arrivals. The lot opens for parking at 7:00 p.m.
• You will be directed to a parking space by UNCW Parking Staff. Cars will be in front rows. Larger vehicles in the middle rows and extremely tall vehicles on the back row.
• Vehicles with open hatchbacks/trunks will be placed in the back row of the parking lot. These spots are limited and only available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• You will be directed to park leaving a space in between you and the next vehicle. UNCW staff reserve the right to ask you to re-park your vehicle if you park incorrectly. To ensure proper social distancing, there is a capacity limit of 84 cars per event.
• No oversized vehicles allowed. Any vehicle longer or wider than the lots parking space will not be permitted. (15 passenger van/bus/RV/etc.)
• All sound will come through FM radio transmission. In order to fully enjoy the movie, it is recommended that you arrive in a vehicle equipped with a tunable FM receiver on your vehicle’s radio.
• The movie will be projected onto a 30 x 17 screen along the exterior the of Kenan Auditorium.
• All exterior and interior vehicle lights must remain off during the movie. No honking of horns. Be mindful of those around you watching the movie.
• You must remain in your vehicle at all times unless visiting the restroom. No visiting of other vehicles. No lawn chairs may be placed around your vehicle.
• Restrooms are available in Kenan Auditorium. Limit 1 person away from the vehicle at a time (exceptions for parent/guardian accompanying anyone needing assistance). Staff will keep lines to a 10-person maximum and limit the number of persons in each restroom facility.
• No smoking is allowed outside of vehicles within the general parking area or within 25 feet of Kenan Auditorium.
• Shoes, shorts/pants and a shirt must be worn at all times.
• Patrons must wear a face covering if they leave their vehicle while on UNCW property. Face covering will need to be worn while in line for and during visits to the restroom. Disposable face coverings will be available; however, we encourage all patrons to bring their own.
• Video & audio recording of any film is not allowed.
• No alcohol or illegal substances.
• No littering.
• No weapons.

October Schedule

OCTOBER 2

Dirty Dancing

Baby (Jennifer Grey) is one listless summer away from the Peace Corps. Hoping to enjoy her youth while it lasts, she’s disappointed when her summer plans deposit her at a sleepy resort in the Catskills with her parents. Her luck turns around, however, when the resort’s dance instructor, Johnny (Patrick Swayze), enlists Baby as his new partner, and the two fall in love. Baby’s father forbids her from seeing Johnny, but she’s determined to help him perform the last big dance of the summer.

OCTOBER 9

Black Panther

After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.

OCTOBER 10

School of Rock

Overly enthusiastic guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) gets thrown out of his bar band and finds himself in desperate need of work. Posing as a substitute music teacher at an elite private elementary school, he exposes his students to the hard rock gods he idolizes and emulates — much to the consternation of the uptight principal (Joan Cusack). As he gets his privileged and precocious charges in touch with their inner rock ‘n’ roll animals, he imagines redemption at a local Battle of the Bands.

OCTOBER 16

Beetlejuice

After Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die in a car accident, they find themselves stuck haunting their country residence, unable to leave the house. When the unbearable Deetzes (Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones) and teen daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder) buy the home, the Maitlands attempt to scare them away without success. Their efforts attract Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a rambunctious spirit whose “help” quickly becomes dangerous for the Maitlands and innocent Lydia.

OCTOBER 23

Ghostbusters

After being kicked out of their university, parapsychology professors Spengler, Stantz and Venkman decide to go into business for themselves by trapping and removing ghosts from haunted houses. After some initial skepticism, business is soon booming as The Ghostbusters rid New York of its undead. When a downtown skyscraper becomes the focal point of spirit activity linked to the ancient god Gozer, however, the problem may be more than the team can handle.

OCTOBER 30

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The film follows the misadventures of Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s beloved pumpkin king, who has become bored with the same annual routine of frightening people in the “real world.” When Jack accidentally stumbles on Christmastown, all bright colors and warm spirits, he gets a new lease on life — he plots to bring Christmas under his control by kidnapping Santa Claus and taking over the role. But Jack soon discovers even the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton men can go seriously awry.