This week, Little Rock's popular Movies in the Park series will return, but with a very different look.

Movies in the Pocket Park will debut on Friday, May 12, in the Main Street Pocket Park at 711 Main St. with "Jurassic World Dominion" at 8 p.m. The event will feature many of the hallmarks of the previous iteration — free admission, families spread out on blankets, local drinks and snacks for purchase — but in a much more intimate setting than the historical venue of the First Security Amphitheater. 

According to Kyle Leyenberger, director of communications for the Downtown Little Rock Partnership, a reimagining of the series has been in the works for some time. Declining attendance pre-pandemic coupled with COVID complications led to the program changing hands from the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau to DLRP and the eventual move from the amphitheater.

"We hope that the smaller venue will bring our community together to enjoy a film while experiencing one of the many hidden gems tucked away in downtown Little Rock," says Gabe Holmstrom, DLRP executive director. 

The inaugural screening is part of this month's 2nd Friday Art Night festivities downtown. DLRP has hopes to continue the series, but is open to feedback from the community.

"Right now, we are testing the concept to see how it goes in the new venue," Holmstrom says. "We do plan to show more movies and think of other ways to use the pocket park through the summer and fall."

Find more details on Friday's screening on the Facebook event page. Learn more about DLRP on its website and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.