Families, students, and residents across the Palouse looking for a cost-free way to spend summer evenings have a reason to plan their Thursday nights around Theophilus Tower Lawn. The University of Idaho’s Department of Student Involvement is bringing back its popular Screen on the Green series, offering free outdoor film screenings from mid-June through Labor Day weekend.
The first showing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, with the series running through September 3, 2026. Films will screen on Thursday evenings, beginning at dusk — roughly 8:30 p.m. A total of 11 movies are slated for the summer schedule. One exception: the July 2 date has been cancelled, so attendees should plan around that gap.
Where and When to Show Up
Theophilus Tower Lawn sits off Paradise Creek Street, between Line Street and Stadium Drive on the U of I campus in Moscow. The outdoor setting provides a natural gathering spot as warm summer nights settle over the region. In the event of poor weather, organizers plan to shift screenings to alternate locations, with those decisions made the day of each showing — so attendees are encouraged to stay tuned for any last-minute venue updates.
Moscow has built a well-earned reputation as one of the more welcoming college towns in the region, and events like Screen on the Green reflect that community-forward culture. As Moscow has been recognized among America’s top college towns, free programming on campus helps strengthen the bond between the university and the broader Latah County community.
A Film Lineup Spanning the Decades
The schedule draws from a wide range of eras and genres. Classic audiences will have a chance to revisit the 1978 musical hit Grease and the 1993 fan favorite Cool Runnings, while the beloved 1999 animated film The Iron Giant also makes the list. More recent entries include the 2022 Marvel blockbuster Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Several newly released films round out the lineup, pulling from 2025 and 2026 releases. Those include A Minecraft Movie, How to Train Your Dragon, and Anaconda from 2025, alongside four 2026 titles: Goat, Hoppers, Project Hail Mary, and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.
The breadth of the schedule — spanning nearly five decades of cinema — suggests an intentional effort to appeal to multiple generations. Younger children may gravitate toward animated titles, while older attendees can settle in for nostalgia or catch up on recent releases they may have missed in theaters.
What Comes Next
With the first screening set for June 18, Moscow-area residents have just under two weeks to mark their calendars. Attendees planning to attend should bring blankets, lawn chairs, and any other outdoor comfort supplies, as the event takes place on an open lawn. Keeping an eye on weather forecasts and any announcements from the U of I Department of Student Involvement will be important given the possibility of venue changes on inclement evenings.
For Vandal fans, the summer series offers a low-key way to stay connected with campus life before the fall semester and football season return. Three Vandals are already set to represent Idaho football at the Big Sky Conference Kickoff in Spokane, a sign that campus energy is building heading into the fall.
Admission to all Screen on the Green events is free, and the series is open to the broader community — not just U of I students and staff.