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Mariners' Wharf Film Festival 2026
A partnership of:
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Join us every Tuesday evening from June 2-July 21 at 6:00 pm* (*new time) for a classic movie shown outdoors on a large screen. Some chairs will be available or you can bring your own lawn chair or blanket. Relax and watch a movie at Seven Sounds Brewing Company*, 112 N. Water Street (*new location), on the beautiful downtown waterfront!
​Have dinner in one of our downtown restaurants or pubs prior to (or after) the movie or bring a picnic to enjoy! Some snacks and beverages available for purchase. Outside food allowed; outside alcohol not allowed.
Click HERE for a list of restaurants, retail, and experience businesses.
This is a FREE event open to all who behave. Authentic movie theater popcorn, concessions, and drinks available for purchase during the movie.
​Some chairs will be available, however, attendees may bring their favorite chair or blanket on which to sit. Seating options will be available inside or outside. With chairs, please be considerate of other patrons by limiting obstruction of their view as much as possible. Other things to consider bringing to the festival include food and drink, insect repellent, and hand sanitizer. ​ Umbrellas and grilling are prohibited. ​If you must smoke, please do so in an area away from patrons.
(Movies are weather dependent -- Wind and rain sometimes has an impact on our ability to set up the screen.)
BE SURE TO CHECK OUR FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE FOR WEATHER-RELATED UPDATES.
June 2, 2026
Isabel Bigelow is a real witch who wants to give up magic and live a normal life. When struggling actor Jack Wyatt casts her in a television remake of Bewitched, he thinks she will be easy to overshadow. Instead, Isabel’s real-life magic, charm, and growing confidence begin to complicate Jack’s plans and turn the production into something much more unpredictable.
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Cast: Nicole Kidman, Will Ferrell, Shirley MacLaine, Michael Caine, Jason Schwartzman, Kristin Chenoweth, Heather Burns, Stephen Colbert, David Alan Grier, Steve Carell
June 16, 2026
Adrienne Willis retreats to a remote inn in Rodanthe, North Carolina, while trying to sort through personal heartbreak and family strain. There, she meets Dr. Paul Flanner, a man facing his own regrets. As a storm approaches the Outer Banks, the two form a brief but powerful connection that changes how they understand love, forgiveness, and second chances.
Cast: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Christopher Meloni, Viola Davis, Scott Glenn, James Franco
June 9, 2026
Set in the 1980s, Air follows Nike basketball scout Sonny Vaccaro and the company’s risky pursuit of rookie Michael Jordan. With Nike’s basketball division struggling, the team bets on one player, one family, and one shoe deal that would change sports marketing and popular culture forever.
Cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon, Chris Tucker, Matthew Maher, Gustaf Skarsgård, Damian Delano Young
June 23, 2026
Devon Miles is a talented Harlem drummer who earns a spot in the marching band at fictional Atlanta A&T University. Confident and gifted, he quickly clashes with the band’s leadership and learns that raw talent is not enough. The film follows his growth as he learns discipline, teamwork, respect, and what it means to be part of something larger than himself.
Cast: Nick Cannon, Zoe Saldaña, Orlando Jones, Leonard Roberts
June 30, 2026
Based on the real Apollo 11 era, The Dish tells the story of a team in Parkes, Australia, operating the massive radio telescope that helped bring the moon landing broadcast to the world. As NASA counts on them to help receive history-making images, the small-town crew deals with technical problems, local pride, and the pressure of being part of a global moment.
Cast: Sam Neill, Kevin Harrington, Tom Long, Patrick Warburton, Billy Mitchell, Roz Hammond.
July 14, 2026
This HBO film tells the story of Temple Grandin, an autistic woman whose visual way of thinking helped her become a groundbreaking animal scientist and advocate for humane livestock handling. The film follows her childhood challenges, education, family support, and determination to build a meaningful career in a field where she was often underestimated.
Cast: Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, David Strathairn, Catherine O’Hara
FREE movie at Mariners' Wharf Park one Friday each month in May, June, and July at 8:15 pm
Friday, May 29 -- How to Train Your Dragon
Friday, June 26 -- The Minecraft Movie
Friday, July 17 -- Zootopia 2
​Please bring blankets and Chairs. Complimentary popcorn and water. Concessions will be available for purchase. Please contact Knobbs Creek Recreation Center at 252-335-1424 for additional information!!
July 7, 2026
John Hancock is a superpowered man who saves lives but causes massive property damage and is disliked by the public. When a public relations consultant decides to help improve his image, Hancock begins trying to become the hero people need. Along the way, he uncovers surprising truths about his past and the limits of his powers.
Cast: Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Jason Bateman, Eddie Marsan
July 21, 2026
Set in a small Louisiana town, Steel Magnolias centers on a close circle of women whose friendships are built around laughter, loyalty, gossip, family, and shared hardship. Through weddings, health struggles, conflict, and grief, the women support one another with humor, toughness, and deep affection.
Cast: Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis, Julia Roberts, Tom Skerritt, Dylan McDermott, Sam Shepard.
Thanks to our Mariners' Wharf Film Festival 2026
Sponsors
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ECDI Premier Sponsors
SENTARA
SKY4 WSKY TV
PASQUOTANK COUNTY
CITY OF ELIZABETH CITY
VISIT ELIZABETH CITY
BRIGHTSPEED
BETSY TOWN FLATS, LLC
ELIZABETH CITY STATE UNIVERSITY
MMT PRINTERS
HALL ELIZABETH CITY (Hall Toyota, Hall Ford, Hall Honda, Hall Hyundai)
HERITAGE CARE OF ELIZABETH CITY
HOPPIN' JOHNZ NEW SOUTH CUISINE
OBX BEVERAGE
TCOM, LP
UNDERCUTTER TREE SERVICE
UNITED STATES ARMY
WATER STREET REAL ESTATE GROUP, CAPLAN LAW, & SOUTHERN TRUST MORTGAGE
Film Festival Hosts:
Elizabeth City Downtown, Inc.
Seven Sounds Brewing Co.
Film Festival Sponsors:
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