Ocala
Enjoy outdoor movie screenings in Ocala
A Young Frankenstein movie screening outdoors
Lisa Seigler

Lisa Seigler

Oct 20, 2026

41 Comments

Ocala residents looking for an easy night out can trade the living room for an outdoor screening of the Young Frankenstein movie this Friday.

 

The city’s After Dark in the Park event begins at 6 p.m. on October 23 at Fort King National Historic Landmark, 3925 E Fort King St.

 

Admission is free, and no registration is required, making this a simple plan for families, friends and anyone in the mood for a classic comedy.

 

Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for a comfortable spot, and popcorn will be available.

 

There is more to the evening than the film itself.

 

From 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., guests can enjoy crafts, appearances by the Bride and Monster, and a “Puttin’ on the Ritz” costume contest.

 

That opening hour gives younger moviegoers a chance to join the fun before settling in for the screening.

 

For anyone new to the story, the film follows Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, a respected medical lecturer who inherits his notorious grandfather’s estate in Transylvania.

 

Once inside the family castle, he finds it hard to resist the experiments that made his grandfather infamous.

 

With help from Igor, Inga and Frau Blücher, Frederick brings a creature to life, then faces a fresh round of trouble when his fiancée, Elizabeth, arrives.

 

The setup gives the Young Frankenstein screening a fittingly playful edge for an October evening outdoors.

 

It also offers a change of pace from the usual indoor movie night.

 

At Fort King National Historic Landmark, the setting is part of the appeal: residents can gather at a familiar Ocala place for a shared community outing.

 

The costume contest and character appearances ad a little theatrical mischief without asking guests to commit to a full evening of planned activities.

 

For families weighing their weekend options, the free admission and bring-your-own-seat format keep things refreshingly straightforward.

 

The only real preparation is choosing a spot and getting comfortable.

 

Anyone interested in outdoor movie screenings can arrive for the 6 p.m. activities, settle in with a blanket and let the comedy take over.

41 Comments

Join the conversation

  • HP
    Harold Price· Oct 24, 9:27 PM

    Hope they keep doing movie nights at Fort King

    • LR
      Linda R.· Oct 25, 11:49 AM

      Harold PriceSame here. It's nice having something to do outside without driving across town.

  • OS
    Olivia S.· Oct 24, 8:54 PM

    I might go just to see the costume contest

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 26, 2:02 AM

      It should be fun to watch! The “Puttin’ on the Ritz” costume contest is part of the 6, 7 p.m. Activities.

  • FD
    Frank D.· Oct 24, 1:07 PM

    Nice to see another free event on the Ocala calendar

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 26, 12:52 AM

      We’re glad to share it. Admission is free, and the evening starts at 6 p.m. Friday.

  • MC
    Megan Collins· Oct 23, 2:24 AM

    My youngest may skip the movie, but she'd love the costumes

    • WT
      Wesley T.· Oct 23, 1:43 PM

      Megan CollinsThat first hour sounds perfect for younger kids. She could still have fun even if you head home before the movie ends.

  • GA
    George A.· Oct 22, 3:26 PM

    Will there be enough parking at Fort King for everyone?

    • PW
      Patricia W.· Oct 24, 9:27 AM

      George A.I've wondered that too. We may get there early for the crafts and find a spot then.

  • TW
    Tasha W.· Oct 22, 1:35 PM

    Popcorn and Young Frankenstein sounds like my kind of Friday

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 23, 7:55 AM

      That’s a hard combination to beat! Popcorn will be available at the screening.

  • EF
    Eddie F.· Oct 21, 10:10 PM

    Outdoor movies are fun, but mosquitoes might be out too

  • NB
    Nancy Bell· Oct 21, 9:57 PM

    I watched this with my dad years ago, might go again

  • RJ
    Robbie J.· Oct 21, 4:17 PM

    The crafts before the screening give us a reason to come early

  • DK
    Denise K.· Oct 21, 3:30 PM

    Fort King is a lovely place to spend an evening

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 22, 3:28 PM

      It’s a lovely setting for a community movie night. Thanks for sharing your appreciation for Fort King!

    • CM
      Caleb M.· Oct 23, 9:57 AM

      Denise K.It really is. I like seeing the park used for community events.

  • AP
    Alan Porter· Oct 20, 9:46 AM

    I wonder how early people will arrive to claim spots

  • SM
    Sophie M.· Oct 20, 9:21 AM

    The Puttin' on the Ritz contest is a cute idea

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 21, 2:18 AM

      It’s a playful fit for *Young Frankenstein*. The contest joins the crafts and character appearances before the movie.

  • GN
    Gary N.· Oct 20, 8:13 AM

    Never seen Young Frankenstein outdoors, that should be different

  • BH
    Beth H.· Oct 20, 7:53 AM

    I might bring an extra blanket if it gets chilly

  • CV
    Carlos Vega· Oct 20, 6:42 AM

    The 6 p.m. Start works well for families with little ones

  • JR
    Janet R.· Oct 20, 5:48 AM

    I like that you can show up without registering first

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 21, 4:10 AM

      It does make a spontaneous Friday outing easier. No registration is required.

  • MB
    Mike B.· Oct 20, 5:23 AM

    Does anyone know if the popcorn is free too?

  • LC
    Linda Chavez· Oct 20, 5:04 AM

    A costume contest at Fort King sounds like a good time

  • TS
    Trevor S.· Oct 20, 4:57 AM

    The Bride and Monster appearances sound fun for the kids

    • NF
      Nina F.· Oct 20, 8:31 AM

      Trevor S.My kids would probably talk about meeting the Monster more than the movie.

  • EP
    Elaine P.· Oct 20, 4:51 AM

    Glad they mentioned lawn chairs, the ground can get damp

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 21, 4:50 PM

      A lawn chair sounds like a good call for a comfortable evening outdoors. Blankets are welcome, too.

    • RJ
      Robert J.· Oct 21, 8:46 PM

      Elaine P.Good point. I'm bringing chairs and a blanket in case it gets chilly.

  • RM
    Ron Miller· Oct 20, 4:08 AM

    Young Frankenstein is still funny after all these years

  • PL
    Patricia L.· Oct 20, 3:28 AM

    My kids will probably enjoy the crafts more than the movie

    • LS
      Lisa SeiglerAuthor· Oct 21, 9:17 AM

      The crafts give kids something to enjoy before the screening. They’re scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m.

  • K
    kim_87· Oct 20, 2:16 AM

    I hope the weather holds out for Friday night

    • MB
      Marco B.· Oct 20, 5:49 AM

      kim_87Me too. I'm bringing a light jacket either way.

  • DT
    Dave Thompson· Oct 20, 12:43 AM

    Free admission makes this an easy Friday night plan

    • SL
      Sharon L.· Oct 20, 10:46 PM

      Dave ThompsonExactly. Dinner at home, then a movie under the stars sounds pretty good.

  • MG
    Maria G.· Oct 20, 12:19 AM

    Fort King should be a nice spot for an outdoor movie

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