Watch Star Wars In Theaters In Tampa Bay On ‘May The 4th’

It’s almost that time of year again when Star Wars memes for May the 4th flood the internet. If you’re looking to celebrate this weekend, there are a few places you can watch Star Wars in theaters in Tampa Bay this weekend.

Every year, Star Wars fans come together across the globe to celebrate one of the most famous puns in the world. Chances are you’ve heard someone say the words “May the 4th be with you” at some point in your life.

May 4th has been widely celebrated since the first release of Star Wars back in 1977. The earliest recorded use of the phrase “May the 4th Be With You” dates back to 1978, but was originally used by newspapers to refer to the Fourth of July, Independence Day.

Then, on May 4, 1979, newspapers said, “May the 4th Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations!” to congratulate Margaret Thatcher on becoming Britain’s new prime minister. Since then, Star Wars marketing teams have used the term and fans across the globe officially coined May 4th Star Wars Day.

If you're looking to watch Star Wars in Theaters in Tampa this weekend, you can catch a showing of Episodes IV, V, or VI, then you’re in luck. Both the ArtsXchange Outdoor Theater as well as the Tampa Theater are showing the ones that started it all this weekend only.

The ArtXchange Outdoor Theater is showing Star Wars, now known as Episode IV: A New Hope, on Saturday, May 4th at 9:00 PM. The Warehouse Arts District Association is bringing you together with eh Sunscreen Film Festival to bring this classic to the big screen. Tickets are $10 for WADA members and $15 for non-members.

This is an outdoor event so be sure to bring a chair. The event is rain or shine, so bring a blanket, umbrella, or poncho to prepare for anything. It is located at 515 22nd St. S.

The Tampa Theater is bringing Episodes IV: A New Hope, Episode V: Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of The Jedi to the people of Tampa Bay. Starting on Saturday at 1:15 PM, A New Hope will hit the screen for viewers. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back begins at 4:30. And, Episode VI: Return of the Jedi begins at 7:45 PM.

Doors open for the showings at 12:30 pm. Tampa Theater Members can pick up tickets for $7 and nonmember tickets are $10 for general admission. You can purchase tickets HERE online before the showing.

Each summer, the Tampa Theatre Summer Classics Movie Series shows an amazing selection of films. Here's the 2024 lineup.

Tampa is home to one of the most amazing historic theaters. Tampa Theatre opened in 1926. It hosted world-class entertainment, and was extremely popular for just a quarter!

As in most cities, as TV became more popular, theaters became less so. In the 1960s, many of those theaters began being demolished, but Tampa Theatre was spared. Community leaders led the battle and the City of Tampa's iconic theatre has become one of the most used theaters of its kind. According to tampatheatre.org, over 700 events are held annually in its auditorium.

Each year, among those 700+ events, are annual series, including the "Star Wars", Family Favorites, Holiday Classics, Halloween, and Sing-Along movie series.

Coming up at the beginning of June is the Summer Classics Movie Series. For the 33rd year, each weekend from June 2 through August 25 is a classic film. According to Tampatheatre.org, Each film is in the National Film Registry listed as having "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant films."

Sponsors for the 2024 Summer Classic Movie Series include the City of Tampa, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, and Publix Super Markets Charities.

* Does not include convenience or handling fees.

Thelma and Louise stars Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis as best friends who set out on a road trip. Their adventure turns into an escape from the law for crimes they commit along the way.

The classic sci fi where people's minds are being replaced with aliens. Featuring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter and Carolyn Jones (Morticia Addams)

In this Alfred Hitchcock classic, a woman is asked to spy on traitorous father's friends. Starring Cary Grant, Ingrid Bergman and Claude Rains.

Gloria Swanson and William Holden star in this Billy Wilder directed classic. You'll recognize the famous lines from the film, "I *am* big. It's the *pictures* that got small," and "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." Each of those lines appears on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest 100 Movie Quotes.

Winner of 6 Academy Awards, the Francis Ford Coppola-directed film features Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, and Diane Keaton. It's a look into the life of Mario Puzo's Vito Corleone and his son Michael in the world of the family's crime syndicate.

Based on the real-life experience, Ron Howard directed Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon and Gary Sinise. The drama that unfolded in front, or rather above, the world, became an Oscar winner and a classic.

Butch and the Sundance Kid lead a band of robbers, and end up on the run from the law. Robert Redford and Paul Newman star in this classic that won 4 Oscars.

Follow the... crowd to Tampa Theatre for The Wizard Of Oz. This is what classics are all about. Follow Dorothy as her new friends help find her way back home to Kansas.

Spike Lee wrote and directed this Oscar nominee. Lee also stars, along with Danny Aiello, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, in this story of race relations. This film has had an immeasurable impact on Black cinema, and still rings through decades later.

You haven't seen The Princess Bride? Inconceivable! Get ready for this timeless classic that is still under 40 years old! You'll be able to almost recite the film along with the cast. Starring Cary Elwes, Mandy Patinkin, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon, Andre the Giant and so many more familiar names, The Princess Bride is a treat for all ages.

Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway star in this film inspired by real events. A detective gets mixed in with the madness of 1930's Los Angeles.

Another film that you'll be able to quote, even if you've never seen it. Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are joined by legends Sydney Greenstreet, Claude Rains, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Another one of those classics that defined the genre, as well as the word 'classic.'

Each year, the Tampa Theatre Summer Classics series includes silent films. This year, four films, Cops (1922) with Buster Keaton, Mighty Like A Moose (1926) with Charley Chase and Vivien Oakland, The Immigrant (1917) with Charlie Chaplin’s as the Little Tramp and Big Business (1929) starring Laurel and Hardy. What makes these silent films special is they are also accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.