Sparky goes to the movies
ASU students can expand their cultural horizons through cinema with screenings around campus
Nothing brings people together like a night out at the movies — watching the big screen with friends and strangers and popcorn.
What some students may not know is that there are many film screenings here at Arizona State University — for free.
A wide variety of special events, weekly movie series and panel discussions provide a moviegoing experience for everyone.
Whether you are looking to learn something new, gain insight into the natural world or just see the latest Hollywood movies, ASU has you covered.
The events vary in setting from intimate venues with commentary from experts to the unique experience of watching a film at Sun Devil Stadium. While there are new events popping up every day, here are a few coming up at a campus near you:
Cronkite Night at the Movies
Every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the First Amendment Forum at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, students, faculty and the public gather to watch a journalism-themed movie. Ranging from "Anchorman" hilarity to "Spotlight" gravity and from drama to documentary, every event is followed by a discussion with key experts, faculty and, sometimes, the journalists the movies are based on. The next screening is "All the President's Men," starring Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman, on Oct. 24. Check out the full series schedule.
Film Spark Movies On the Field
This series is a unique presentation of movies in a truly ASU setting: Sun Devil Stadium. The lineup is feature films, including "The Meg" and "Sorry to Bother You." The movie series is presented by Film Spark, a groundbreaking collaboration between ASU and professionals in the film industry including actors, directors and producers. The program’s outreach is based at the ASU California Center in Santa Monica and aims to accelerate student careers in the field, innovate new approaches to the industry and deepen outreach between students, faculty and the industry. Tickets are free to students on the ASU app; others can purchase tickets for $3 each.
Spanish Film Series
The School of International Letters and Cultures is presenting a Spanish film series that is free and open to the public. The next screening is the film "Sin Rodeos" at 3 p.m. on Oct. 19.
Arabic Film and Poetry Series
Join the School of International Letters and Cultures for an engaging night of art, culture and faculty-led scholarly discussion at the screening of 2017 Lebanese drama "The Insult" at 6 p.m. on Nov. 6. The film was nominated for a best foreign language film Oscar.
Individual screenings
Colleges across ASU also host individual screenings of movies, some with expert analysis, for students to enjoy and learn.
Not all screenings are free, though many are offered at a discounted rate for students. There are regular screenings of astronomy documentaries at the Marston Exploration Theatre that are presented in 3D using Planetarium technology. Screenings are Wednesday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m.
The Downtown Phoenix and West campuses have periodic “Movie on the Lawn” events that involve getting cozy under the stars and watching a movie outside. Next up, students at the West campus can gather on the Fletcher Library Lawn on Oct. 19 to check out Tom Cruise in "Mission: Impossible — Fallout."
Keep an eye out for other regularly updated events on ASU Events.
More Arts, humanities and education
Engineering knowledge: Recommended reading from Fulton Schools faculty, staff
In this 13th edition of the annual Essential Reading feature, 10 more faculty and staff members in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University join in carrying on the…
ASU Gammage Scholar and MFA student forges path to her future
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2024 graduates. Theater was an escape and an outlet for Crestcencia Ortiz-Barnett as a young girl in Detroit. “I learned…
Data science student investigates Arizona education system, reform through Steve Jobs Archive fellowship
Arizona State University student Brinlee Kidd was one of nine people across the U.S. chosen for the inaugural Steve Jobs Archive (SJA) Fellowship, launched last year with the goal of allowing young…