OXFORD — The Oxford Recreation Center will take its free movie screenings outdoors beginning Sept. 23, Recreation Director Connie Staples said.

Staples said the center has been showing movies “for about four months,” but never outside.

“We got a permit from the Motion Picture Licensing Corporation that allows us to show movies on-site, as long as it’s a DVD and approved by the group,” Staples said. “To date, we’ve been showing some movies inside the Recreation Center, and it’s been very popular with families.”

She said the Recreation Committee decided to divert some of the money in its fundraising account toward buying an outdoor theater screen.

“The permit said that we could air a movie on-site,” Staples said. “That means indoors and outdoors. We have an ice rink outside with a canopy over it, and it’s not used in September, so we figured it was a good way to bring families out to the Recreation Center and a great use of the ice rink.”

The 14-foot theater screen arrived a couple of weeks ago, Staples said.

On Friday, Sept. 23, the 2016 adaptation of “The Jungle Book” will be shown. “The Angry Birds Movie” will be shown Sept. 30. Both movies will begin at 7:30 p.m., Staples said, and will be free to the public.

“Even if it rains, people can still enjoy the movie under cover of the ice rink rooftop,” Staples said.

“I think the outdoor screenings will be a hit, because not everyone can afford to take their family to the movies,” Staples said. “Back when the movie theater in Oxford was closed, the nearest movie theater was in Auburn. These outdoor screenings offer something for everyone in the community.”

Staples recommended those attending bring lawn chairs and blankets. For more information, visit the Oxford Recreation Center Facebook page.

[email protected]