A beloved sci-fi masterpiece is returning to the big screen this weekend—and moviegoers can enjoy it for free.

On Sunday, May 18 at 5 p.m., the Miracle Theatre will host a special screening of Steven Spielberg’s 1977 classic, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Admission is free to the public, and families, film buffs, and curious first-timers are invited to take part in the cinematic event.

The screening is sponsored by the Kirk & Lydia Menendez Family Endowment and hosted by former Coral Gables Commissioner Kirk Menendez, who has long supported local arts and community engagement.

“This film continues to resonate nearly 50 years later,” Menendez said. “It’s about wonder, communication, and the unknown—timeless themes that still inspire reflection and imagination.”

Released in 1977, Close Encounters was a critical and commercial success, earning nine Academy Award nominations and becoming one of Spielberg’s most iconic works. The film follows a series of mysterious UFO sightings and the transformative experiences of ordinary people caught in extraordinary events.

Free tickets are required for entry and can be reserved by calling the Miracle Theatre Box Office at 305-444-9293 ext. 2. Seating is first-come, first-served.

The Miracle Theatre is located at 280 Miracle Mile, Coral Gables. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.