‘Ohio Goes to the Movies’ Shares Our State’s Cinematic Legacy

In 2026, movie screens across the state will light up with Ohio-centric films with the help of Ohio Goes to the Movies (OGTTM), a signature event of America 250-Ohio. From Feb. 11 through Oct. 16, each of Ohio’s 88 counties will be represented among more than 280 screenings. These are movies recognizing Ohioans in front of and behind the camera throughout the country’s cinematic history.

From actors such as Lillian Gish, Clark Gable, Dorothy Dandridge, Joel Gray, Ruby Dee, Doris Day, Burgess Meredith and Paul Newman to directors like Steven Spielberg, Jim Jarmusch and Julia Reichert, musicians Henri Mancini, Trent Renzor, Mark Mothersbaugh and The National, animators such as pioneering Charles Csuri and Mark Henn of Disney fame, along with costume and prop designers like Oscar Award winner Paul Tazewell and prop designer John Zabrucky, Ohio has produced a remarkable range of creative talent. Even Ohio writers whose books have been turned into films and television shows will be celebrated.

For this endeavor, OGTTM enlisted the help of venues large and small across the state to host events, including drive-ins, historic theaters, art houses and independent and commercial cinemas, as well as community centers, museums, libraries and more. It’s fitting that OGTTM will launch Feb. 11 at the Milan Township Hall. Thomas Edison was born in Milan, Ohio, on Feb. 11, and his genius and inventions helped launch the entertainment industry. This town in northwest Ohio represents all of Ohio’s small towns, as well as large towns, where talent was born.

These free public events will include a preview gathering (such as a red-carpet event, trivia or the like), followed by a screening of the movie and culminating with an audience participation Q&A. Each community venue is planning its own celebration and what fun they will be. Several examples can be found in the calendar section that starts on page 25 of this publication. 

This unprecedented series is the brainchild of former Ohio Bicentennial Commission executive director Stephen George, who has carried the idea around since 2003, according to Molly Kreuzman, program director for Ohio Goes to the Movies. As he traveled to Ohio’s 88 counties as part of his Ohio Bicentennial Commission duties, George noted how many people referenced locals who had made it big in Hollywood. They may be household names now, but Kreuzman points out that many began their journeys, went to school or gained career-building experience across Ohio.

“Ohio Goes to the Movies is growing beyond our expectations, and we are so excited because no one has ever done something of this reach and scope,” notes Kreuzman. “We’re proud to spotlight these people from your own backyard who have done something pretty amazing in this one-of-a-kind movie series.” 

For more information about the Ohio Goes to the Movie series, visit ohiogoestothemovies.org.

The America 250-Ohio publication was created in partnership with the America 250-Ohio Commission. For more information on America 250-Ohio, visit america250-ohio.org.