Unexpected celebrity sightings are often a treat, and few reveal themselves in the wild like Bill Murray. For decades, Murray has turned the art of the “pop-in” into one of his many talents. Whether he’s crashing a college house party in Scotland, scarfing down lasagna at a random house party in Texas, or toasting the groom-to-be at a bachelor party in South Carolina, you never know where he’s going to be, spreading cheer to unsuspecting fans. Recently, Murray surprised a sizable crowd at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center (known locally as “The Z”) in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on August 3, 2026, who were there for a screening of Murray’s 1991 comedy classic What About Bob?
The screening helped kick off the theater’s five-week “Bill Murray Movie Monday Marathon,” an event featuring movies like Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Stripes, and Groundhog Day. After the credits rolled for What About Bob?, Murray stepped onto the Zeiterion stage to thank the crowd for attending and to deliver an important message about the film industry and the value of experiencing cinema in theaters.
“This is really nice. I can’t believe there’s this many people,” Murray began while addressing the audience. “I’m so happy people are going to the movies again. I was afraid, for a few years, that movies just weren’t an option, or they weren’t happening. It’s really important to see movies in the theater. I think you should keep coming.” The crowd roared when Murray completed his speech. He then asked which movie would screen next Monday. When the crowd shouted “Caddyshack,” he said they should come back because the movie is “also pretty funny.”
Seeing Murray celebrate his classic filmography makes it hard not to build your own ultimate lineup. If I were organizing a Bill Murray Movie Monday Marathon, I would screen Ghostbusters, Scrooged, Groundhog Day, and What About Bob? Then, as a bonus, I would add Little Shop of Horrors to the lineup. How about you? Also, what’s your favorite story about Bill Murray showing up in random places throughout the world to surprise his fans? Would you party with him if you had the chance? Let us know in the comments section below.