The Weekly Watchlist, 6/3/26
Your weekly guide to cinema in Metro Detroit
Good morning movie lovers,
We’ve got a full slate of movie events in Metro Detroit this week including a film festival, some underseen gems, and one night only events, here are a few highlights to start things off:
We’ll be featuring LGBT+ representation in film throughout Pride month, including a four part series from UFO Film Club with some titles that you won’t normally find. This week kicks off the series with Frisk (1995), check out their post for the full schedule
The Ann Arbor Black Film festival is this weekend, featuring short and feature-length films centering Black independent cinema, history, and community. The festival runs Thurs – Sun at various venues in Ann Arbor, including the State Theatre
I have to point out a great documentary, The Water Front, which General Baker Institute is screening tonight at 6pm. This locally produced film chronicles the water shutoffs in Highland Park, MI and the community’s organizing during the period of emergency management in the early 2000s
And lastly, Film Blast Kills - a night of horror comedy, and films - comes to Planet Ant Theatre this Saturday, promising to be a fun mix of locally produced horror short films in a variety show format - tickets are selling fast! (and check out Film Blast’s recent video featuring a few luminaries from the Detroit film scene)
Support your local theaters, go out to a movie!
Colleen
Reminders:
Screening information is subject to change, please double check the theater websites before heading out to a show.
For more events and screening updates, follow us on Instagram.
Local Cinema Happenings
6/3 – 6/9
Unique screenings, classic movies, one night only events
Wednesday 6/3/26
Doom City Cinema
Lake of Dracula (1971, Japan), 8pm - at The High Dive, Hamtramck
General Baker Institute
The Water Front (2007, documentary), 6pm
Historic Howell Theater
Bullitt (1968), 7pm
MJR Troy
No Country for Old Men (2007, dirs. Joel and Ethan Coen), 7pm - part of the Magic of Movies monthly series
Stick around after the film for a discussion led by film critic Tom Santilli and unique giveaways
The Riviera Cinema
Menace II Society (1993, dirs. the Hughes Brothers), 7pm - part of the Cinema Classics at The Riviera series
UFO Film Club
VHS Detroit
TAPES ONLY, VHS swap at 7pm, show at 8pm - at Mitch’s Prints, Madison Heights
VHS Masterpiece Theatre
Maximum Overdrive (1986, dir. Stephen King), 7pm - at Putt-R-Round, Ypsilanti
Thursday 6/4/26
Birmingham 8
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977, dir. Steven Spielberg), 7pm - part of the Director Series
Essay’d
Art in a Changing Landscape: Detroit and the Disconnected Logic of Funding (2026, short film), 6:30pm - at The LOVE Building, Detroit - free
Followed by an artist panel discussion
Friday 6/5/26
Ann Arbor Black Film Festival
Opening Night, 5pm - at Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown
Cogito, Ergo Sum (2025, short film)
The United States of WTF!!! (2025, short film)
TCB: The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing (2025, Canada/US/UK/France/Senegal, documentary)
Detroit Film Theatre
Two Prosecutors (2025, France/Germany), 7pm
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater
Bound (1996, dirs. Lana and Lilly Wachowski), 9:30pm - part of the Late Night Classics series
Penn Theatre
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969, dir. George Roy Hill), 7pm
Redford Theatre
Ernie & Emma (2026, dir. Bruce Campbell), 8pm
Live appearance by Bruce Campbell
Wyrd Byrd
Xtro (1982, UK), 8:15pm
Saturday 6/6/26
Ann Arbor Black Film Festival
Saturday Programming
The themed time blocks below contain a mix of short and feature length films. Feature films have been listed, full schedule can be found in each link.
Overcoming, 12pm - at State Theatre
The Struggle for Belonging, 2pm - at Third Mind Books
Bittersweet: Black College Life at a Predominantly White Institution (2026, documentary)
Alternate Paths, 2:20pm - at State Theatre
Shot by Shot (2026)
Nothing to See Here: Watts (2026, documentary)
Local History & Generational Poetry, 4:15pm - at Third Mind Books
Self-Reflection, 4:40pm - at State Theatre
The Book of Ahmad (2025, documentary)
Stories of the Proud, 6:50pm - at State Theatre
Hard Consequences, 8:50pm - at State Theatre
Detroit Film Theatre
Two Prosecutors (2025, France/Germany), 3pm, 7pm
Film Blast Detroit
Film Blast Kills!, doors at 7pm, show at 8pm - at Planet Ant Theatre, Hamtramck
“Join us for a night of horror, comedy and films! Film Blast Kills brings you short films, analogue horror, comedy performances, and surprise extras!”
Penn Theatre
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969, dir. George Roy Hill), 7pm
Senate Theater
The Dirty Dozen (1967, dir. Robert Aldrich), doors at 7pm, organ overture at 7:30pm, 8pm
Sunday 6/7/26
Ann Arbor Black Film Festival
Sunday Programming - at Ann Arbor District Library: Downtown
Knowledge & Healing, 1pm
The Nights Were Velvet (2025, South Africa, short film)
Stolen School (2024, documentary, short film)
Are You A Librarian? Black Librarians and Freedom Through Literacy (2025, documentary, short film)
Reform & Justice, 3:45pm
Free Joan Little (2025, documentary, short film)
Where’s My Coffee Cup? (2025, documentary, short film)
Carceral Genocide and Cinema as a Space of Healing, 5pm
“A multi-media event…hosted by the director of ‘Where's My Coffee Cup?’, Yehuda Sharim, who will show clips from his recent films and question the role of cinema in a world dominated by structures of harm and cruelty.”
Detroit Film Theatre
Two Prosecutors (2025, France/Germany), 2pm
Lowkey Cinema
Soulfood & Soundtrack Sundays: The Wiz (1978, dir. Sidney Lumet), 5pm - free
In collaboration with Cinema Lamont
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater
The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938, dirs. Michael Curtiz, William Keighley), 1:30pm - part of the Summer Classics series
Penn Theatre
Fluctuation (2026, short film), 5pm
This film is a student Capstone Project of the Madonna University Broadcast and Cinema Arts program
Followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers
The Riviera Cinema
School Daze (1988, dir. Spike Lee), 7pm - part of the Cinema Classics at The Riviera series
Monday 6/8/26
Dearborn Public Library
Blockbuster Film Series: The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958, US/UK), 6pm
Detroit Public Library - Wilder Branch
Jurassic Park (1993, dir. Steven Spielberg), 2pm - free
Milford Independent Cinema
Movie Franchises Trivia Night, 7pm
Click here to sign up
Motor City Cinema Society
The Crying Game (1992, UK), doors at 6:30pm, show at 7pm
Presented on 16mm
Tuesday 6/9/26
Club Cinephilia
Movie Meet Up: Scary Movie 6 (2026), 7pm, MJR Troy
“A Detroit-based movie club built for the girls”
More information about this meet-up can be found on the BFF app
Mafu Coffin Movie Night
Domestic Violence (2001, dir. Frederick Wiseman, documentary), 8pm - at Dreamland Theater, Ypsilanti - free
Outdoor Screenings
Drive-ins, pop ups, and more
College for Creative Studies Film
Outdoor Film Screening, Sun 6/7, 8pm - 2660 Buchanan St., Detroit - free
Featuring films by College for Creative Studies students and alumni
Bring a blanket
Ford Wyoming Drive-In Theater, Dearborn, MI
Honest John’s Detroit
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), Fri 6/5, dusk, approx. 9pm
Re-Releases
Limited engagements for special restorations, anniversaries, or series
Trainspotting (1996, dir. Danny Boyle) - 30th anniversary, new 4K restoration
New Releases
Where to find new releases at local, independent theaters
Backrooms
Horror/Liminal Spaces | R | 1h 50m
Carolina Caroline
Crime/Romance/Thriller | NR | 1h 45m
The Devil Wears Prada 2
Comedy/Drama/Fashion | PG-13 | 1h 59m
I Love Boosters
Adventure/Comedy/Drama/Sci-Fi | dir. Boots Riley | R | 1h 53m
Masters of the Universe
Action/Adventure/Fantasy | PG-13 | 2h 21m
Michael
Biopic/Music | PG-13 | 2h 7m
Power Ballad
Comedy/Drama/Music | dir. John Carney | PG-13 | 1h 38m
Pressure
Drama/History/Thriller/War | PG-13 | 1h 40m
Project Hail Mary
Sci-Fi/Adventure | PG-13 | 2h 36m
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi | dir. Jon Favreau | PG-13 | 2h 12m
Stolen Kingdom
Documentary/Theme Parks | NR | 1h 14m
The Sheep Detectives
Action/Comedy/Mystery | Ireland/UK/US | PG | 1h 49m
Tuner
Crime/Drama/Thriller | R | 1h 49m
Coming Soon
Upcoming screenings through 6/16/26
8 Ball Movie Night / Burnout Society Film Club
“Experimental” Animations Double Feature, Sun 6/14 - at 8 Ball Saloon, The Blind Pig, Ann Arbor
Felidae (1994, Germany, animated), 7pm
The Secret of NIMH (1982, dir. Don Bluth, animated), 9:30pm
Birmingham 8
Inception (2010, dir. Christopher Nolan, US/UK), Thu 6/11, 7pm
The Black Canon / Campfire Film Cooperative / Motor City Cinematheque
The Rhythm Reel: Black Music on Film, Sat 6/13, 7pm - at Roar Brewing Company, Detroit
Club Cinephilia
Movie Meet Up: Disclosure Day (2026, dir. Steven Spielberg), Fri 6/12, Time TBD - at Ford-Wyoming Drive-In, Dearborn
Dearborn Public Library
Blockbuster Film Series: 10,000 BC (2008, dir. Roland Emmerich), Mon 6/15, 6pm
Detroit Film Theatre
Blue Heron (2025, Canada/Hungary), Fri 6/12 – Sun 6/14
Paris is Burning (1990, documentary), Sat 6/13, 9:30pm; Sun 6/14, 5pm
Detroit Public Library - Hubbard Branch
Adult Movie Day: The Butler (2013, dir. Lee Daniels), Fri 6/12, 2pm
Doom City Cinema
Tourist Trap (1979), Fri 6/12, 8pm - at Carbon Athletic Club, Detroit
Emagine Theaters
Studio Ghibli Fest: Ponyo (2008, dir. Hayao Miyazaki, Japan, animated), opens Sat 6/13
Farmington Civic Theater
Disclosure Day (2026, dir. Steven Spielberg), opens Thu 6/11
Ferndale Area District Library
Jurassic Park (1993, dir. Steven Spielberg), Fri 6/12, 6:30pm
The Henry Ford
Dementia Friendly Film: A River Runs Through It (1992, dir. Robert Redford), Tue 6/16, 2pm
Historic Howell Theater
Midnight Creature Feature Picture Show: For Y’ur Height Only (1981, Philippines), Sat 6/13, 9pm
Mafu Coffin Movie Night
Vitalina Varela (2019, Portugal), Tue 6/16, 9:30pm - at Dreamland Theater, Ypsilanti
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater
The Handmaiden (2016, dir. Park Chan-wook, South Korea), Thu 6/11, 8pm
Cruising (1980, dir. William Friedkin), Fri 6/12, 9:30pm
National Theater Live: All My Sons (2026, dir. Arthur Miller, filmed live performance), Sat 6/13, 7pm
Luca (2021, animated), Sun 6/14, 11am
Stand by Me (1986, dir. Rob Reiner), Sun 6/14, 1:30pm
Xanadu (1980), Sun 6/14, 6pm
Marquee Arts: State Theatre
Disclosure Day (2026, dir. Steven Spielberg), opens Thu 6/11
Milford Independent Cinema
Disclosure Day (2026, dir. Steven Spielberg), opens Fri 6/12
A Goofy Movie (1995, animated), Fri 6/12, 11am; Sat 6/13, 11am
All the President’s Men (1976, dir. Alan J. Pakula), Mon 6/15, 7pm
Motor City Cinema Society
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975, dirs. Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, UK), Fri 6/12, 8pm - at the Redford Theatre, Detroit - on 35mm
Laserblast (1978), Mon 6/15, 7pm - on 16mm
Penn Theatre
Nothing to See Here: Watts (2025, documentary), Wed 6/10, 7pm
Heightened Scrutiny (2025, documentary), Thu 6/11, 7pm
The Sheep Detectives (2026, Ireland/UK/US), Fri 6/12 – Thu 6/18
Senate Theater
Silents at the Senate: Salomé (1922, silent), Sat 6/13, 8pm
Slimeball Cinerama
Slimeball Cinerama After Dark: Bound (1996, dirs. Lana and Lilly Wachowski), Wed 6/10, 8pm - at Occult 83, Dearborn Heights
The Riviera Cinema
School Daze (1988, dir. Spike Lee), Wed 6/10, 7pm
Higher Learning (1995, dir. John Singleton), Sun 6/14, 7pm
UFO Film Club
Desperate Living (1977, dir. John Waters), Wed 6/10, 8:30pm - at UFO Bar, Detroit
VHS Masterpiece Theatre
9 to 5 (1980), Wed 6/10, 7pm - at Putt-R-Round, Ypsilanti
Windsor International Film Festival
WIFF Under the Stars, Fri 6/12- at the front lawn of the International Aquatic and Training Centre, Windsor
Detroit Theaters:
Back Alley Cinema - Cinema Detroit - Cinema Lamont - Detroit Film Theatre
Doom City Cinema - Lowkey Cinema - Motor City Cinema Society
Redford Theatre - Senate Theater - Slimeball Cinerama
Southeast Michigan Theaters:
Farmington Civic Theater - Historic Howell Theater
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater - Marquee Arts: State Theatre
Support your local theaters, go out to a movie!
