The Union County Performing Arts Center has officially unveiled its 2026 lineup for the I. Joseph Hyatt Classic Film Series, giving movie lovers a genuine reason to circle their calendars from August straight through December. Every month during that stretch, UCPAC will screen a beloved film in true 35mm format on the historic Main Stage, and anyone who has experienced one of these screenings before knows they amount to considerably more than a simple movie night. Each event comes paired with local vendors, food trucks, photo opportunities, and additional surprises built around that month’s specific film, turning a classic movie screening into a genuine community happening.
August opens the series in genuinely strong fashion with a Jim Henson double feature on August 2 starting at 2 p.m. The afternoon begins with The Dark Crystal, following Jen and Kira as they journey through the mysterious world of Thra in a race to restore a shattered crystal and stop the life draining Skeksis from destroying their entire planet. After grabbing a snack from the venue’s own café, audiences settle in for Labyrinth, in which Sarah must race through a riddle filled maze to rescue her baby brother from Jareth, the mysterious Goblin King, played by David Bowie in one of his most beloved on screen roles.
September brings the series into considerably more action packed territory, with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles hitting the big screen on September 17 at 7 p.m. The film follows the heroes in a half shell as they emerge from the New York sewers to take on Shredder and the Foot Clan in a genuinely tubular fight to save the city. Fittingly, Travel Skate Shop will be on hand that evening with gear and goods straight from their store, giving the screening an extra layer of authentic 1990s attitude to match the film itself.
October delivers exactly the kind of programming spooky season demands, with a Stephen King double feature landing on Friday, October 30 at 6 p.m. The terrifying evening opens with Carrie before closing out with Pet Sematary, giving horror fans two genuine classics in a single sitting. Anyone attending is encouraged to arrive early for a suitably eerie organ concert performed on the venue’s own Biggest Little Wurlitzer, setting the mood perfectly before either film even begins.
November takes the series back to the 1980s with a screening of The Karate Kid on Thursday, November 19 at 7 p.m., inviting audiences to watch once again as Daniel LaRusso puts Mr. Miyagi’s unconventional training to the test against Johnny Lawrence at the All-Valley Karate Tournament. Fans are encouraged to dress up for the occasion and stop by a dedicated dojo themed photo opportunity, giving attendees a fun, interactive way to mark the occasion beyond simply watching the film itself.
The series closes out the year on a genuinely festive note, celebrating Christmas Eve Eve with a screening of The Polar Express on December 23 at 6 p.m. The beloved holiday classic follows a young boy who watches a mysterious train bound for the North Pole stop directly outside his window on Christmas Eve, and who joins a group of fellow children invited aboard by the train’s conductor for a journey to visit Santa Claus himself. Attendees can take their own photo with Santa and grab a warm cup of hot cocoa while enjoying a holiday organ concert ahead of the film, rounding out the series with exactly the kind of communal, festive atmosphere that has made this final screening such a beloved way to close out the year.
Tickets for the 2026 I. Joseph Hyatt Classic Film Series are available now, with prices ranging from $17 to $22 depending on the screening. Additional vendors and food trucks are expected to be announced for each event in the coming months, and anyone hoping to stay current on those updates should follow UCPAC directly on Instagram. With a lineup spanning fantasy, martial arts action, horror, coming of age drama, and holiday magic, this year’s classic film series gives Union County audiences a genuinely well rounded excuse to experience some of cinema’s most beloved titles exactly the way they were meant to be seen, projected on real 35mm film inside one of New Jersey’s most historic theaters.
