From 'Harry Potter' to 'Moana': nine films to watch at Umm Al Emarat Park's outdoor cinema

The series will run each weekend until April 2021, but here are the blockbusters to check out this month

Daniel Radcliffe stars in 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'. Warner Brothers

Get ready to see films al fresco with the return of Cinema in the Park.

Running each weekend until April next year, families can safely gather in the Children's Garden section of Abu Dhabi's Umm Al Emarat Park to watch blockbuster film such as Moana, Dr Dolittle and Monsters Inc on the big screen.

Nearly 30 films will be screened throughout October, with two films shown each night from Thursday to Saturday. The first feature will be screened at 6.30pm and the second at 8.30pm.

As a safety precaution against Covid-19, up to four people will be allowed per seating section to watch the film, with guests also required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.

Here, we round up nine films to watch that are screening this month. For the full list, visit the Umm Al Emarat Park website.

1. ‘Moana’ (2016): Thursday, October 8 at 8.30pm

This animated adventure film follows Moana, the feisty daughter of a Polynesian village chief, as she sets sail to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. The film stars Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who voices the mischievous Maui.

2. ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets’ (2002): Friday, October 9 at 8.30pm

The sequel to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Potter's tutelage at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is put to the test when a monster is unleashed and petrifies the students. The film is the last to feature Richard Harris as Professor Dumbledore, with the British actor passing away a month before the film's release.

3. ‘Zootopia’ (2016): Saturday, October 10 at 6.30pm

A funny children's mystery told in cutting-edge 3D computer technology. Set in a city where mammals are king, a rabbit police officer teams up with a conman of a fox as they investigate a series of missing predators. With more than $1 billion raked in at the box office, Zootopia was the fourth highest-grossing film of 2016.

4. ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ (2016): Thursday, October 15 at 8.30pm

Based on the popular computer game, three flightless birds – Red, Chuck and Bomb – must use their wits to defend their island from rampaging pigs. Such was the film's success that a sequel was released in 2019.

5. ‘Trolls World Tour’ (2020): Friday, October 16 at 6.30pm

Released straight to streaming services due to the pandemic, the animated film is a brilliant love letter to music. When the six troll tribes of pop, funk, classical, techno, country and rock find out their renegade queen wants them ruled under the banner of rock music, it is up to Queen Poppy to unite everyone in a battle for co-existence. The film stars a range of music artists in voice roles including Justin Timberlake, Kelly Clarkson and Mary J Blige.

6. ‘Monster’s Inc’ (2001): Thursday, October 22 at 8.30pm

Content in their jobs of scaring little children to power their city, monsters Sulley and Mike find their existence shattered when a child sneaks into their factory. In their quest to get Boo, AKA Mary, home, they realise human beings are not that bad after all. Composer Randy Newman won the 2002 Academy Award for Best Original Song for If I Didn't Have You, which was performed in the film by stars Billy Crystal and John Goodman.

7. ‘Dr Dolittle’ (1998): Friday, October 23 at 6.30pm

Thankfully this is not the mediocre new version starring Robert Downey Jr. In this superior film, funnyman Eddie Murphy plays the titular character who has the ability to speak to animals. His zany adventures with dogs, cats and a guinea pig makes him question if he has a gift or curse.

8. ‘Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle’ (2018): Friday, October 30 at 6.30pm

Based on the short stories of Rudyard Kipling, the film follows the 'man-cub' Mowgli in a search for his roots. On his tail, however, is the vicious Bengal tiger Shere Khan. The film can also be streamed at home on Netflix.

9. ‘Cats’ (2020): Saturday, October 31 at 6.30pm

Was the film that bad? The anticipated film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical was slammed upon its release. Perhaps now, with expectations low, one can enjoy the relatively entertaining comedy featuring the all-star cast of James Corden, Judi Dench, Idris Elba and Jason Derulo.

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