From July 2025 through June 2026, join us for free matinees at the Seattle Art Museum. These films explore themes from art on view at SAM and bring ideas from the museum’s exhibitions, collections, and programs to the big screen. Check out SAM Films for all upcoming events and details.
The spring film selections are curated by Scarecrow Video and are related to Beyond Mysticism: The Modern Northwest.
Doors open at 1:30 pm, so arrive early to save your seat!
June 27 | Sometimes a Great Notion
Dir. Paul Newman, 1971, 1 hr 53 min
Sometimes a Great Notion is an American drama based on Ken Kesey’s novel of the same name, following the fiercely independent Stamper family of Oregon loggers as they clash with their community when they refuse to join a logging union strike. Starring Paul Newman as Hank Stamper alongside Henry Fonda, Lee Remick, Michael Sarrazin, and Richard Jaeckel, the film explores themes of individualism, family loyalty, and stubborn resilience amid economic and emotional hardship, with powerful performances and striking Pacific Northwest landscapes anchoring this classic story of work, pride, and perseverance.