American Cinematheque and Mattel Team Up for Free Family Screenings at the Egyptian Theater
Hollywood may be built on fantasy, but this summer, one dream is actually real — free movies, free popcorn, and enough nostalgia to short-circuit your inner child. Starting June 21, American Cinematheque and Mattel are rolling out a summer series of free family matinees every Saturday at the recently restored Egyptian Theatre. And this isn’t some dusty reel of a forgotten ‘60s cartoon—this lineup is stacked with crowd-pleasers, cult favorites, and films that hit the sweet spot between “kid-friendly” and “parents won’t suffer.”
The selections feel intentional, not algorithmic — anchored by major IP (Barbie, He-Man, She-Ra), but softened by animated art house outliers like The Secret of Kells. It’s a lineup that respects kids’ intelligence and adults’ attention spans. The Egyptian’s legacy as a movie palace adds an extra layer of movie magic, making even a 20-year-old teen comedy feel cinematic again. It’s a rare intersection of family programming and cultural memory, free of the usual plastic branding gloss — ironically, delivered by the toy company that basically invented it.
BARBIE
JUNE 21
This was a sharp, candy-colored cultural reset that walked the tightrope between blockbuster spectacle and existentialism. Greta Gerwig’s take on the Mattel doll universe balances satire with sincerity, giving younger viewers plenty to absorb visually while offering adults something richer underneath the surface. It’s a PG-13 film, but by now, its multigenerational reach speaks for itself.
What could’ve been a soulless IP play turned into a surprisingly layered exploration of gender, identity, and late-stage capitalism — with musical numbers, beach fights, and a deeply committed Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling to carry it all home. The film doesn’t condescend to its audience, and that’s part of its power — it trusts viewers of all ages to feel the dissonance between the glossy pink aesthetic and the nuanced cultural message beneath it. Kicking off the series with this film sets the tone. This isn’t a throwaway kids’ program — it’s cultural commentary in glitter heels.
SCHOOL OF ROCK
JUNE 28
Jack Black delivers a career-defining performance as a wannabe rock star turned substitute teacher in School of Rock. Linklater’s script treats kids like actual people — something that still feels surprisingly rare in family films. It’s loud, chaotic, and genuinely moving in its defense of creative weirdos. There’s a scrappy heart to the film that never curdles into sentimentality.
The kids aren’t sanitized or quirky-for-quirk’s-sake. They have real anxieties, real personalities, and real arcs, which makes their transformation into a band feel earned rather than forced. Black’s manic energy could’ve tipped into cartoonish, but instead it becomes the gravitational center that lets everyone else come alive. It’s still one of the best arguments for arts education ever put to screen, disguised as a rock comedy.
A CINDERELLA STORY
JULY 5
A Cinderella Story taps into the peak Hilary Duff era and leans into classic fairytale tropes while embracing the glossy melodrama of early 2000s teen comedies. Jennifer Coolidge is unhinged in the best way as the evil stepmother. It’s a time capsule of early aughts aesthetics — flip phones, diner uniforms, and the kind of AOL-era anonymity that feels surreal now.
Beneath the camp and cringe, there’s an earnestness that keeps it from aging out completely. Duff plays it sweet without being naive, and Chad Michael Murray — back when he was WB Network royalty — doubles down into teen heartthrob mode without overplaying it. It’s the kind of film that made texting in T9 look like peak romance. Tweens will eat it up, and millennials will quietly cry about flip phones and low-rise jeans.
ZATHURA
JULY 12
Before he was directing Iron Man or The Mandalorian, Jon Favreau made this underrated sci-fi adventure that plays like Jumanji in space. Two brothers get sucked into a galactic board game where meteors crash into the living room and astronaut intrigue abounds. The visual effects hold up surprisingly well, and the film taps into that classic sibling rivalry arc with a genuine emotional core.
It’s one of those rare “kids in peril” movies that never condescends its audience. Beyond the thrilling chaos, Zathura digs into themes of family, responsibility, and trust — showing how, even in the face of cosmic mayhem, the bond between siblings can be the strongest force of all. Plus, Kristen Stewart’s early role adds a bit of extra nostalgic charm, rounding out a cast that brings heart to a wild sci-fi ride.
THE SECRET OF KELLS
JULY 19
The Secret of Kells offers a hand-drawn detour into Irish folklore. The film tells the story of a young boy involved in the creation of the Book of Kells, weaving together myth, history, and mysticism. The film’s animation style — flat, textured, and deeply stylized — stands apart from most Western animated fare and makes a lasting impression. It’s less about explosive plot and more about atmosphere, mood, and quiet awe.
Produced by the same studio behind Wolfwalkers and Song of the Sea, it’s the kind of film that trusts its audience to slow down and absorb its visual language. There’s a meditative quality to the pacing, and the Celtic-inspired score amplifies the dreamlike energy. It’s a rare kind of kids’ film—one that leaves you a little hushed as the credits roll.
HE-MAN & THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE / SHE-RA: PRINCESS OF POWER
JUNE 26
The series wraps on July 26 with a double feature of He-Man & the Masters of the Universe and She-Ra: Princess of Power. These characters were Mattel’s ‘80s powerhouses, delivering high camp, low-res animation, and old-school storytelling packed with moral lessons, neon weapons, and magical catchphrases. This isn’t about shiny reboots or gritty reimaginings — it’s the original runs, complete with stilted line reads, static action shots, and narration that sounds like it was recorded in one take. And that’s exactly why they still resonate.
Watching these episodes on the big screen transforms the usual Saturday morning ritual into a shared event, where the charm of their earnestness shines through the grainy animation. These shows laid the foundation for how toy companies shaped television, how queer-coded villains became cult icons, and how Saturday morning programming became a cultural rite of passage. Surrounded by fans and curious kids alike, their retrofuturism of swords flashing, transformation sequences humming feels as fresh as ever. The message still hits — you have the power.
Photo — American Cinematheque
