Siree and Ayana Morris found a way to bring entertainment to the masses amidst the pandemic. The couple opened a drive-thru movie theater in Newark, New Jersey. It’s the first one that has operated since the mid 1960s.
As a filmmaker and a real estate developer, the power couple was uniquely positioned and prepared to create the plans and proposals to launch Newark Moonlight Cinema.
According to NJ.com, they were inspired to create the drive thru experience after Ayana’s documentary “Why Is We Americans?” was screened at an outdoor film festival earlier this year.
Upon driving onto the movie lot, which is housed at the former Newark Bears baseball stadium, moviegoers are welcomed with music and an array of food and snack options available via the app, Fanfood.
With a 55-foot screen and audio available through each car’s radio, every seat is the best seat in the house. There is one movie showing per night beginning at 9pm, Friday through Sunday. Thus far attendees have enjoyed, Set It Off, Girls Trip, Just Mercy, and Creed 2 from the comfort of their vehicles.
The films are carefully curated to ensure they celebrate Black art with selections that highlight both Black filmmakers and talent as well as features that showcase talent that has emerged from Newark.
The outdoor theater, which operates solely on the weekends, and can hold up to 350 cars, launched on July 24 and is slated to run through October 4. To find out more or to purchase tickets, visit www.newarkmoonlight.com.