Girls take over UK cinemas for Mary’s Magic Movie Screening

On a grey January weekend, thousands of girls jumped into a magical, upside-down, underwater world

They were at our very special ODEON screenings of Mary Poppin’s Returns - just for Girlguiding members. A whopping 44,445 Girlguiding members took over local cinemas from Bristol to Edinburgh for the event. There was also a chance to see our special Girlguiding film before the main event, which featured Guides interviewing the film's stars on the red carpet! Here’s what happened.

The adventure begins

Making their way to the local ODEON was half the adventure for some Brownies!

What an adventure we had getting to @Liverpool_ONE @ODEONCinemas via @merseyrail! We absolutely LOVED Mary Poppins Returns! Thank you @Girlguiding for organising it!! @DisneyStudios @Lin_Manuel #MarysMagicMovie #marypoppinsreturns #girlguiding pic.twitter.com/YKEAnBdf0l

— 6th Formby Brownies (@6FormbyBrownies) January 19, 2019

Popcorn at the ready

Girls - and quite a few volunteers 😁 - got snack ready before the screening kicked off. 🍿

You know you have good Guides when they open their popcorn at #MaryPoppinsReturns once the film starts & you've already eaten yours 🤦‍♀️ @Guiding_LaSER @Girlguiding Thanks @ODEONCinemas we had a lovely morning!

— Amie Walsh MRICS (@AmieWalsh1) January 20, 2019

Guides on the silver screen

Before the main event began, we were excited to show some very special Girlguiding films. One featured Tiana and Olivia from 1st North Lambeth Guides who interviewed the stars of the film on the red carpet at the premiere in December! They also gave them their very own Mary's Magic Movie Screening badge. Get yours here. 

Have you got your #MarysMagicMovie badge yet? @lin__manueI, @NewHopeClub ,@holdbrooksMyth and @realdavidmagee have got theirs! Grab yours from our online shop... https://t.co/C468q6UAVE pic.twitter.com/g9TT2fXyow

— Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) January 20, 2019

We were back for round 2 of #MarysMagicMovie this morning and got to see Tiana and Olivia on the big screen before the main event! @Girlguiding @ODEONCinemas #MaryPoppinsReturns #InspireGirls pic.twitter.com/4iZrVm6TLb

— 1st North Lambeth Guides (@LambethGuides) January 20, 2019

The verdict on the film? 

We loved it...

We‘d a FAB time seeing #MaryPoppinsReturns: thank you @Girlguiding!
Brownies thought #EmilyBlunt magical as @MaryPoppins & were v impressed by @Lin_Manuel’s Music Hall turn (1 “Snowy Owl was that man Hamilton?” on way home) & @iammrvandy’s dancing!#MarysMagicMovie@Guiding_LaSER pic.twitter.com/OXu7wFK2u1

— 1stLeeSouth Brownies (@1stLSBrownies) January 19, 2019

It was exciting that they showed the film specially for us - it was nice to think that there were other Brownies all over the country watching it at the same time as we were. - Shiloh, 8 1st Lee South Brownies

I specially loved seeing the Guides interview the stars before the film started & seeing them get their badges. - Caitlin, 9, 1st Lee South Brownies

@Girlguiding thank you for organising this wonderful event! The girls had a ball! 1000/10 from the Gladsmuir rainbows and brownies! pic.twitter.com/Een6qNZDFU

— Hayley Young👸🏼🌈 (@hayles_xoxo) January 19, 2019

My favourite bit was when Mary Poppins turned the bath into an ocean' - Gabbie - 10th Petts Wood Rainbows

My favourite bit was when Mary Poppins came in on the kite - Eliza, 3rd Chislehurst Rainbows

#MaryPoppinsReturns Girl Guide screening was brilliant. 6th Cardiff Guides had a great time at #MarysMagicMovie 🎞 pic.twitter.com/oBnOvR9hAy

— 6th Cardiff Guides (@StJohnGuides) January 22, 2019

The best of Mary Poppins was when the time turned back and when Mr Banks forgot he was a grown up , he thought he was a child. When the dad realised anything was possible – Shekinah, 53^rd Croydon Brownies 

I really like the part when Mary Poppins put the kids in the bath and they were underwater with GIANT toys! Also I liked the part of the china bowl and they were in a cartoon world. I wanna do that. – Paige, 53^rd Croydon Brownies 

Keeping the magic alive

Lots of units have been keeping the magic alive with activities inspired by all things Mary. 

#LetsGoFlyAKite Inspired by our weekend trip to see ⁦@GirlguidingMcr⁩ #MarysMagicMovie 🌈 the Rainbows made kites for Mary☂️Poppins to fly! Thanks to our YL Phoebe for cutting out all of the silhouettes. 🌟 pic.twitter.com/Lo80SMDnuv

— 4th Glossop Rainbows (@4thGlossop) January 21, 2019

Mary Poppins evening last night ..making kites, bird feeders, chalk drawings and playing spoons (minus the sugar) .. to get us in the mood for #MaryPoppinsReturns this morning @Girlguiding @Guiding_LaSER pic.twitter.com/Rv1vY6AEgb

— Goddington Guides (@GoddingtonGG) January 19, 2019

Just one of our shadow puppet stories from Storytelling Silhouettes #UMA last night. Plays covered Mary Poppins, the risks of eating too much junk food, eels in the Thames, caterpillars, butterflies and giant wasps! #EveryGirl @Girlguiding @Guiding_LaSER @girlguidingGLK pic.twitter.com/tKBv2hfEXC

— 3rd Bexley Guides (@3rdBexleyGuides) January 24, 2019