An entire civilization must confront its destiny in alternative-animation pioneer René Laloux’s final feature, Gandahar, a cult classic of mind-bending science fiction that has been restored in 4K thanks to fine folks at Janus Films! 

In a distant world, a merciless army of automata attacks Gandahar, turning its peace-loving people to stone. Hoping to discover the source of these Men of Metal, a council of matriarchs enlists the brave yet inexperienced warrior Sylvain (Pierre-Marie Escourro), who, while journeying through his planet’s outer regions, teams up with the Deformed, a race cast out from Gandahar after failed science experiments rendered them mutants. Soon, Sylvain learns that a gargantuan brain called Metamorphis (Georges Wilson) is responsible for his utopian society’s strife, and together with the beautiful Airelle (Catherine Chevallier), travels through time to defeat him, in the process risking their lives and Gandahar’s very existence.

Featuring stunningly surreal creatures and wondrously bizarre environments designed by renowned comic-book artist Caza, Gandahar is a visceral, visionary head-trip in which animation opens a gateway to the furthest reaches of the imagination.

Based on the beloved fantasy novel by Peter S. Beagle, 1982’s The Last Unicorn is a beautiful – and beautifully strange – animated fantasy. The film follows a solitary unicorn (Mia Farrow) who learns that she may be the last of her kind. Setting out to find other surviving unicorns, she encounters bumbling magician Schmendrick (Alan Arkin) and spirited Molly Grue (Tammy Grimes), who join her on a journey that leads to the castle of the sinister King Haggard (Christopher Lee). Featuring iconic storybook animation by Rankin/Bass, The Last Unicorn has endured as a singular cult classic, equally beloved as a cherished family favorite and a genuinely strange piece of 1980s fantasy.

Part of our Unsung 80’s Soundtracks series, The Last Unicorn’s is built around an unlikely collaboration between composer Jimmy Webb and the the harmony-rich folk-rock of America, who perform the film’s songs. Webb wrote the score as well as the songs, including the haunting title track, “The Last Unicorn,” which became one of America’s most enduring songs from the film. America also performs “Now That I’m a Woman,” “In the Sea,” and “That’s All I’ve Got to Say,” while Webb’s orchestral score gives the film much of its wistful, dreamlike quality. A ’70s soft-rock trio scoring an animated medieval fantasy may seem like an unlikely pairing, but somehow, it works perfectly.

Our first Volunteer of the Month pick for September comes from Sophia T, who has chosen the 1963 musical Bye Bye Birdie!

Based on the beloved Broadway musical, this ’60s classic follows rock ‘n’ roll heartthrob Conrad Birdie as he heads to a small Ohio town for one last televised kiss before being drafted into the Army, throwing the entire town into a frenzy of teenage rock ‘n’ roll mayhem.

Starring Ann-Margret, Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Bobby Rydell, Paul Lynde, and Maureen Stapleton, Bye Bye Birdie is a colorful, energetic blast of early-’60s pop culture packed with unforgettable songs!

Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Paul Shaffer, and other entertainment icons got their start in a 1972 Toronto production of the musical Godspell. You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution…is the documentary that lived to tell the tale! 

Featuring interviews with the surviving cast members, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mike Myers, and more, the film recounts a pivotal moment in comedy history, in hilarious, moving, and inspiring detail. 

Join us for the Orange County premiere of Skweezy Jibbs Makes a Movie with the man himself, Skweezy Jibbs, live in person! Be among the first people to see the movie, and stay after for an exclusive Q&A with Skweezy himself as he keeps going on his US tour. One night only! Get your tickets before they’re gone!

Oddball internet legend Skweezy Jibbs is making the movie of his dreams. Unfortunately for him, he’s got no money, no experience, no skill, and no filmmaking talent. When his controlling mother gets involved, Skweezy is forced to confront the very essence of who he is.

GA Doors open at 7:00PM and the show starts at 7:30PM! Tickets are $20 to this event. Frida Cinema comp passes and member discounts do not apply.

You want. He wants. She wants. But nobody wants what I want.

Our second Volunteer of the Month pick for September 2026 comes courtesy of Amrut, who has chosen Todd Solondz’s hilarious and deeply uncomfortably 1998 film Happiness, which we are presenting in a brand new 4K restoration thanks to Universal Pictures!

The story follows three sisters and the increasingly troubled people orbiting their lives, leading to a brutally funny look at the desperate search for connection in suburban America. The less plot explained about this one…the better!

Featuring Jane Adams, Dylan Baker, Lara Flynn Boyle, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Cynthia Stevenson, Happiness is a fearless portrait of how disturbing things can get when you’re searching for the purpose of life.

We are paying our respects to horror legend Reggie Bannister with a one night only screening of Don Coscarelli’s horror classic Phantasm!

Like The Shining and Dawn of the Dead, Phantasm is a cerebral nightmare that we never want to end. Written, produced, directed, shot, and edited by Don Coscarelli when he was only 23-years-old, the movie follows a group of small-town friends as they battle the “Tall Man”—a mysterious force of cosmic horror who wields flying silver murderballs. This Lovecraftian vortex deftly combines gothic horror, surrealism, and a killer prog rock score into a concoction that horror fans have never stopped worshipping.

Thanks to a stunning restoration and 5.1 surround sound mix produced by J.J. Abrams’s Bad Robot and Coscarelli, Phantasm has never looked or sounded better.