We’re excited to announce the 2021 lineup for Cape May’s free movies on the beach. If you were looking forward to watching JAWS in the dark next to the ocean, we’re sorry to tell you that it’s not on this year’s lineup, but there’s another crowd favorite that’s just as quotable.

This free event is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Cape May. Movies will play at 8:15pm on Thursdays throughout the summer on the beach next to Convention Hall. (Don’t worry—it’s hard to miss the enormous blow-up screen.) Since the event is at night, you don’t need a beach tag. Bring your own beach chairs and towels, and you might want to toss a sweatshirt in your bag. It can get cold by the water.

(If I’ve personally seen a film on the list, I’ve included notes about content. All links will take you to IMDB.)

July 8 – The Kid Who Will Be King (PG)

A modern-day spin on the Arthurian legend. When a regular kid discovers the mythical sword Excalibur, he discovers what he’s made of in this 2019 film.

July 15 – Robots (PG)

An animated picture from 2005 about a robot inventor faced with some hard truths when he moves to the city to work for the company of his dreams.

July 22 – The Sandlot (PG)

Baseball brings a group of neighborhood kids together and helps them move beyond seemingly impossible boundaries. 1993.

(The Sandlot has a bit of strong language, shows kids trying chewing tobacco, and the dog and pool scenes could bother some viewers.)

July 29 – Ice Age: Collision Course (PG)

With cosmic events threatening the Earth, it’s up to Manny, Sid, and Diego to save the planet in this 2016 animated film—the fifth in the Ice Age series.

August 5 – X2: X-Men United (PG-13)

The 2003 sequel to X-Men gives us insight into Wolverine’s past and sees the team ally with former antagonist Magneto when Professor X is kidnapped by the anti-mutant scientist William Stryker.

(This was my favorite of the original X-Men trio. Head’s up for mentions of child neglect, suicide, and some body horror in the flashback scenes, which might be a little intense for some viewers.)

August 12 – The Princess Bride (PG)

The beloved story-within-a-story from director Rob Reiner. A boy stuck home sick in bed bonds with his grandfather over a fantasy novel about true love. And also pirates. This is easily the most quotable movie on this summer’s lineup and its mix of action, sword fighting, comedy, and romance will hopefully make up for the lack of sharks. (It does have shrieking eels.)

(The Princess Bride was released in 1987 and is fairly mild, though head’s up for a couple of suicide references, blood, and a torture scene.)

August 19 – Spies in Disguise (PG)

A spy gains new perspective when he’s turned into a pigeon. 2019.

August 26 – Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG)

Finishing off the summer is the 2010 adaptation of the first book in the series by Jeff Kinney. Greg gets through middle school thanks to the help of his illustrated journal.

(Wimpy Kid is rated PG but the humor might not be your taste.)