BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Some significant film anniversaries, the latest offerings in popular animated film franchises and more will fill Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks' free summer Family Movies series.
The series of 10 Wednesday night movies has been listed on the SteelStacks website.
Families are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the Levitt lawn for the films, which start at 6:30 p.m.
The series will include the 75th anniversary of the Disney classic "Cinderella," the 30th anniversary of Pixar's "Toy Story" and the 25th anniversary of Disney's "The Emperor's New Groove."
Last year, the Levitt series offered the 25th anniversary of "Toy Story 2," the 25th anniversary of the animated "Tarzan" and the 20th anniversary of "The Incredibles."
Unlike last year's lineup, which had live-action films with the classic "Mary Poppins" and the new "Wonka," this year's lineup is entirely animated.
This year's films start May 21 with "Despicable Me 4." The 2024 film was the fourth main installment and sixth overall entry in the Universal Pictures "Despicable Me" franchise.
It tells the story of the Gru family welcoming a new member, a baby named Gru Jr., who is determined to torment his dad.
Other films in the series are:
"The Emperor's New Clothes (25th Anniversary)," May 28. The Disney fantasy comedy film, inspired by ancient Peruvian culture and set in an Incan empire, follows a selfish young Emperor Kuzco, who is accidentally transformed into a llama by his treacherous ex-advisor, Yzma, and her dimwitted, but culinarily gifted, henchman Kronk.
"The Wild Robot," June 4.
The 2024 film from DreamWorks animation is Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Peter Brown. After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh surroundings, she bonds with the native animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.
"Toy Story" (30th Anniversary), June 11.
The iconic 1995 film follows Sheriff Woody, a pull-string cowboy doll, who becomes jealous when his owner, Andy gets a new Buzz Lightyear figure for his birthday, fearing he will be replaced as Andy’s favorite.
"Cinderella" (75th Anniversary), June 18.
The 1950 film, which retells the classic story of a kind, orphaned girl who is forced to live with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters but ends up magically attending the royal ball, received critical acclaim and three Academy Award nominations and helped reverse the Disney studio's fortunes.
"Inside Out 2," June 25.
The 2024 Pixar film is a "coming of age" film in which character Riley Anderson continues to navigate the complexities of adolescence, exploring new emotions alongside familiar ones such as joy, sadness, anger, fear and disgust, with the introduction of anxiety and other new characters.
"The Princess and the Frog," July 2.
The 2009 film tells the story of Tiana, a hardworking waitress in 1920s New Orleans, dreams of opening her own restaurant. After a mishap with a frog-turned prince, she must embark on a journey to break a voodoo curse with him.
"Moana 2," July 16.
The 2024 film, set three years after the events of the first film, Moana reunites with Demigod Maui and assembles a way-finding crew to find the lost island of Motufetu, to break its curse, and reconnect the people of the ocean.
"The Lego Movie," July 23.
This year's series will conclude with the 2014 Disney film that tells of Emmet, an ordinary LEGO figurine who always follows the rules, is mistakenly identified as the Special—an extraordinary being and the key to saving the world.
