Free Thursday family films catching on at base theater Published Aug. 30, 2012 By Nick Stubbs Thunderbolt editor MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but at MacDill there are free movies. The base theater, operated by the Army and Air Force Exchange Service until it ceased management in May due to declining ticket sales, reemerged recently in its new incarnation -- a movie house that features free movies every week. The MacDill movie theater has been a fixture on base since the era of black and white films, and while it looked like the theater's run was over when AAFES announced it was pulling out, the new base theater is attracting a new audience for its family oriented films. There is no popcorn, candy or soda being served up (moviegoers are encouraged to bring their own food and drinks), and guests are asked to clean up after themselves when they leave, but the flicks are free. That's a big plus for families struggling with the rising costs of living, and free movies on base mean families and Airmen don't have to drive off base to catch a flick. Each Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the theater features a free movie. The focus has been on young viewers, with PG- and G-rated films like the August lineup of "Megamind," "Open Season," "Hookwinked" and "Gnomeo & Juliet." The movies are not new releases, but they are recent - and for the budget conscious are hard to beat. Adult audiences have not been left out, and while showings such at "the Hunger Games," which screened Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. are not the norm, they may show up on the schedule from time to time in the future. Thursday family films are drawing between 30 and 50 people on average, and it's hoped the showings will become more popular as word spreads about the free movie offerings. The base theater is now operated by MacDill Outdoor Recreation. Call 840-6919 for more information.