Coming Soon

Join us on Halloween night for a very special spookshow premiere of the 2024 remake House on Haunted...

An annual Frida tradition continues with John Carpenter and Debra Hills' landmark slasher Halloween, also playing as part of our Halloween Hangover Week series this November! Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we present Nocturnes, the highly anticipated 2024 documentary that delves into...

Join Old Towne Film Festival as the Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce joins us for a very special...

Join us for our first shorts block as we shine a light on local Orange County filmmakers! –The...

Halloween Hangover Week commences as we team up with our pals at Cinematic Void for a one night only screening the Rocktober classic Trick Or Treat (1986)! Eddie Weinbauer, a metalhead teen who is bullied at school, looks to his heavy metal superstar idol, Sammi Curr, for guidance. When Curr is killed in a hotel fire, Eddie becomes the recipient of the only copy of Curr's unreleased album, which, when played backwards, brings Sammi back to life. As Halloween approaches, Eddie begins to realize that this isn't only rock 'n roll...it's life and death. The Cinematic Void preshow starts at 7:30PM and the movie will begin around 8PM!

Join us as we present a short and feature film both showcasing the theme of determination. –Finding Dan...

Up next in our Halloween Hangover Week is Zack Snyder's 2004 remake of Dawn of the Dead, screening just in time for its 20th anniversary! The film follows a group of survivors in the aftermath of a sudden and devastating zombie outbreak, led by nurse Ana (Sarah Polley) after she narrowly escapes her home being overrun. She joins forces with a diverse group of strangers, including a police officer (Ving Rhames) and a television salesman (Jake Weber), seeking refuge in a shopping mall. As the undead hordes gather outside, tensions rise inside the mall as the group struggles with survival, moral dilemmas, and the psychological toll of the apocalypse.

Join us for a masterclass with Emmy Award winner Chris Schueler, and then stick around directly after for...

Join us as we present films dealing with the theme of care. –Ibiza’s Regenerative Revolution (25 min, directed...

Join us as we screen three short films dealing with the theme of excitement! –A Perfect Match (12...

Join us as we screen three shorts dealing with the theme of perception. –From Pen To Paper (27...

Join us as we screen another three films dealing with the theme of determination. –Koroneburg (36 min 23...

Our Halloween Hangover Week continues with Edgar Wright's Zom Rom Com Shaun of the Dead, presented by our friends at Everywhere Beer! The movie follows Shaun (Simon Pegg), an aimless electronics store employee, whose life is falling apart—he's stuck in a dead-end job, and his girlfriend Liz (Kate Ashfield) has just broken up with him. But when a zombie outbreak sweeps through London, Shaun seizes the opportunity to prove himself, rallying his best friend Ed (Nick Frost) and a small group of survivors to battle the undead. They attempt to reach the safety of their local pub, The Winchester, but chaos ensues as they face hordes of zombies.

Join us as we screen 3 films dealing with the theme of conflict. –Live One (1 hr 51...

Join us for a discussion with Emmy-winning director Jerri Sher and then a screening of her new film...

A documentary celebrating the pop culture television phenomenon LOST and the enduring devoted fanbase of 'losties'. 20 years ago, the show LOST first aired and changed television forever. An Emmy-winning #1 network show, LOST introduced audiences to serialized science fiction storytelling and paved the way for the higher budget and shorter seasons of today’s television. From the director of The Last Blockbuster, the documentary Getting LOST is the definitive retrospective on the show and its lasting impact on the cast, crew and fan community. It explores life-changing personal stories touched by LOST, including incredible friendships, heart-warming love stories and touching tales of heartache and loss. Through all new interviews with cast and crew of the show, the documentary highlights the influence the show had on not only the careers of some of the biggest names in Hollywood but also the local people of Hawaii who worked on the show during its six years of filming on Oahu.

Join us for two films dealing with the dual themes of determination and conflict. –Columbia River Canoe Project...

Our Halloween Hangover Week takes an enigmatic turn with Mulholland Drive, David Lynch's 2001 neo-noir mystery! Betty Elms (Naomi Watts), a hopeful actress newly arrived in Los Angeles, discovers a woman (Laura Harring) with amnesia hiding in her aunt's apartment. The two women set out to uncover the mystery of the stranger's identity, leading them through a labyrinth of cryptic clues, sinister characters, and dark Hollywood secrets. As their investigation deepens, the narrative becomes increasingly disjointed, reflecting Lynch’s signature exploration of subconscious fears and desires.

Join us as we celebrate the nominees and winners of the Old Town Orange Film Festival: Fall Fest!...

Anime Expo Cinema Nights presents Osamu Tezuka’s Metropolis, where it's man against machine in this film based on the classic manga by Tezuka, the godfather of Japanese anime and manga.

Anime Expo Cinema Nights presents Osamu Tezuka’s Metropolis, where it's man against machine in this film based on the classic manga by Tezuka, the godfather of Japanese anime and manga.

There NEVER was a woman like Gilda!

Party Like It's 1999 continues with Election, Alexander Payne's dark teen comedy. Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) is an overachieving student determined to win the student body presidency at all costs. However, her campaign is disrupted by Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick), a frustrated teacher who holds a personal grudge against her and convinces popular but apathetic jock Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) to run against her. What ensues is a battle of wits, sabotage, and unintended consequences, highlighting the complexities of ambition, morality, and personal failure.

Halloween Every Night celebrates 40 years of Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street as part of our Halloween Hangover Week! Teenagers in a small town are dropping like flies, apparently in the grip of mass hysteria causing their suicides. A cop's daughter, Nancy Thompson, traces the cause to child molester Fred Krueger, who was burned alive by angry parents many years before. Krueger has now come back in the dreams of his killers' children, claiming their lives as his revenge. Nancy and her boyfriend, Glen, must devise a plan to lure the monster out of the realm of nightmares and into the real world...

Our Halloween Hangover Week winds down with Wes Craven's 1996 slasher Scream, presented on 16mm by See It On 16mm! Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is a high school student in the town of Woodsboro who becomes the target of a masked killer known as Ghostface. As the killer terrorizes the town, picking off Sidney’s friends one by one, the survivors must navigate the killer's twisted game of horror movie tropes. With the help of horror movie-obsessed Randy (Jamie Kennedy), Sidney and her group try to figure out the identity of Ghostface while staying alive.

Join us at The Frida Cinema for a special 10th anniversary Director's Cut edition of Salad Days, a captivating documentary that takes you back to the vibrant world of punk rock during its formative years. This film is a heartfelt exploration of a movement that shaped music, culture, and youth identity in the 1980s and beyond. Salad Days features never-before-seen footage, electrifying performances, and personal stories from the pioneers of the punk scene. Through candid interviews and a nostalgic lens, it captures the spirit of rebellion and creativity that defined a generation. Whether you were there at the shows or are discovering this era for the first time, this documentary resonates with the energy and passion that punk embodies.

Love is a hustle.

Witness the wonder of Thomas Cailley's Meanwhile on Earth, a speculative science fiction drama set in a near-future world. The film follows multiple interconnected characters as they grapple with the knowledge that Earth will become uninhabitable within their lifetime due to environmental collapse. As governments, scientists, and everyday people search for solutions—from space colonization to radical technological innovations—Cailley weaves a thought-provoking narrative about human resilience, fear, and hope.

Enjoy Dinner in America, a darkly comedic and rebellious indie film by Adam Rehmeier! The film follows an unlikely pair—Simon (Kyle Gallner), a punk rocker on the run from the law, and Patty (Emily Skeggs), a socially awkward misfit obsessed with his band. Set in the suburbs of Detroit, the film explores their chaotic journey as they bond over their mutual disdain for societal norms. As their connection grows, Simon and Patty embark on a rebellious adventure that confronts their personal insecurities and helps them discover their own voices.

The Power of Rock... In 1994

Halloween Hangover Week ends with Army of Darkness, our first November Volunteer of the Month pick from Ana! Picking up where Evil Dead 2 left off, Ash finds himself transported back to the Middle Ages. Armed with his trusty chainsaw and shotgun, Ash must retrieve the Necronomicon, a powerful book of the dead, in order to return to his own time. However, he mistakenly awakens an army of the undead, leading to a battle between the living and the Deadites. Filled with Raimi's signature slapstick humor, over-the-top action, and memorable one-liners from Campbell, Army of Darkness is a unique entry in the Evil Dead franchise, loved for its campy charm and creative mix of horror and comedy.

Alex Rogan was a small town boy with big dreams. But in his wildest dreams, he never suspected that tonight he would become The Last Starfighter.

I told you... you know nothing about wickedness

Our Page to Screen series continues with Where the Wild Things Are, Spike Jonze's imaginitive adaptation of the beloved Maurice Sendak book! Max, a lonely and imaginative boy, runs away from home after an emotional outburst and sails to an island inhabited by mysterious creatures known as the Wild Things. These creatures, with their complex emotions and childlike behavior, crown Max as their king, and together they embark on playful, yet emotionally charged, adventures. As Max navigates this wild and unpredictable world, he learns important lessons about friendship, leadership, and the consequences of his actions.

Join Rendezvous and Severin Films for a screening of Alucarda, Juan Lopez Moctezuma's 1977 Mexican horror film! The story centers on Justine, a young orphan who arrives at a convent, where she meets the mysterious and wild Alucarda. Their intense bond awakens dark forces, leading to a terrifying series of events involving demonic possession, satanic rituals, and religious fanaticism. As the convent spirals into chaos, the boundaries between good and evil blur, raising questions about faith and innocence.

The long-awaited return to fiction filmmaking from Academy Award-winner Andrea Arnold, Bird is a tender, striking and extraordinarily surprising coming-of-age fable about marginalized life in the fringes of contemporary society. 12-year-old Bailey (astounding newcomer Nykiya Adams) lives with her devoted but chaotic single dad Bug (Barry Keoghan, Saltburn) and wayward brother Hunter in a squat in Gravesend, north Kent. Approaching puberty and seeking attention and adventure, Bailey’s fractured home life is transformed when she encounters Bird (Franz Rogowski, Passages), a mysterious stranger on a journey of his own.

They figured he was a lazy, time-wasting slacker. They were right.

Up next in our Party Like It's 1999 series is Being John Malkovich, Spike Jonze's wildly inventive dark comedy! Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is a struggling puppeteer who discovers a portal inside a mundane office building that leads directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Upon entering, people can experience life as Malkovich for 15 minutes before being ejected onto the side of a New Jersey highway. Craig, along with his wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) and his colleague Maxine (Catherine Keener), devises a scheme to sell access to the portal. As they exploit this bizarre opportunity, tensions rise, relationships become strained, and Malkovich himself begins to unravel as he confronts the bizarre invasion of his mind.

Experience a 4K restoration of The Cell, Tarsem Singh's 2000 psychological thriller! Catherine Deane (Jennifer Lopez) is a child therapist who uses advanced technology to enter the minds of comatose patients. When notorious serial killer Carl Stargher (Vincent D'Onofrio) falls into a coma, the FBI enlists Catherine to venture into his terrifying and surreal subconscious to locate his final victim, who is still alive but hidden. Inside Stargher's twisted mind, Catherine navigates disturbing imagery and psychological horrors, battling to find answers while also protecting her own psyche.

Big screen horror icon Chucky slashes his way through five of his very scariest films!

Join us for a screening of award-winning feature documentary film The Strike, which tells the story of a generation of California men who endured decades of solitary confinement in California’s notorious supermax Pelican Bay State Prison. Against all odds, they launched the largest hunger strike in U.S. history and forced the prison to reduce its use of mass-scale solitary confinement. Following the film, there will be a panel with Directors Lucas Guilkey and JoeBill Muñoz; solitary survivors who were part of the hunger strike in Pelican Bay, Jack L. Morris and Michael Saavedra; and attorney Jules Lobel, lead counsel on Ashker v. Governor of California, a federal class action lawsuit challenging the practice of solitary confinement at Pelican Bay.

Join See It On 16mm for a special one night-only screening of Spaceballs, Mel Brooks' 1987 Star Wars pastiche! When the nefarious Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) hatches a plan to snatch Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) and steal her planet's air, space-bum-for-hire Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and his clueless sidekick (John Candy) fly to the rescue. Along the way, they meet Yogurt (Mel Brooks), who puts Lone Starr wise to the power of "The Schwartz." Can he master it in time to save the day?

Join us on Sunday, November 17th, at 7:45PM as we present a very special screening of the new indie dark comedy Hippo, featuring a post-screening Q&A with cast members Kimball Farley, Lilla Kizlinger, Eliza Roberts, Eric Roberts, director Mark H. Rapaport and guest moderator Francis Galluppi (director of Last Stop in Yuma County, and the upcoming Evil Dead movie). Hippo, a peculiar adolescent, and his Hungarian step-sister Buttercup struggle to come of age in late 1990s America, under the roof of a mother who has been institutionalized at least once.

The story of a man, a woman, and a rabbit in a triangle of trouble.

A hard cop and a soft dame.

Nothing says goodbye like a bullet…

Our Classic Movie Nights series continues with The Philadelphia Story, George Cukor's 1940 romantic comedy!

What are they hiding?

The next entry in our Party Like It's 1999 series is The Virgin Suicides, Sofia Coppola's dreamlike directorial debut. The story of five sisters, and their mysterious existence growing up in the 1970s. The film follows the chain of events initiated by one of the Lisbon sisters' suicide attempt, and its effects on their family, their suburban town and most importantly, the young men who loved the Lisbons from afar and whose words provide the narrative for the film.

Slumber Party Parties charges ahead with A Knight's Tale, Brian Helgeland's medieval action comedy! William Thatcher (Heath Ledger) is a peasant who disguises himself as a noble knight to compete in jousting tournaments across Europe. With the help of his loyal friends, including a witty writer named Geoffrey Chaucer (Paul Bettany), William rises through the ranks of the tournament circuit, all while hiding his true identity. Along the way, he falls in love with a noblewoman and faces off against the ruthless Count Adhemar (Rufus Sewell), his main rival.

Our second November Volunteer of the Month is Hiroki Funahashi, who has chosen Ruben Ostland's Force Majeure as his VOTM pick. The film follows a Swedish family on a ski vacation in the French Alps. During lunch at a mountainside restaurant, a controlled avalanche appears to threaten their lives, and the father, Tomas, instinctively flees, abandoning his wife, Ebba, and their two children. The avalanche stops short, but the family is left to grapple with Tomas' reaction, leading to tension and deep introspection about his role as a protector and the underlying dynamics of their relationship.

The Bogart suspense picture with the surprise finish!

Everyone's a Puppet

Our next In Defense Of entry comes courtesy of our Marketing Director Bekah Phillips, who has chosen Thomas Schlamme's 1993 black comedy So I Married an Axe Murderer! Just after a bad breakup, Charlie MacKenzie falls for lovely butcher Harriet Michaels and introduces her to his parents. But, as voracious consumers of sensational tabloids, his parents soon come to suspect that Harriet is actually a notorious serial killer -- "Mrs. X" -- wanted in connection with a string of bizarre honeymoon killings. Thinking his parents foolish, Charlie proposes to Harriet. But while on his honeymoon with her, he begins to fear they were right.

Pulp Fiction, Quentin Tarantino's groundbreaking crime film, turns 30! The film follows the lives of several characters, including hitmen Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield, mob boss Marsellus Wallace, his wife Mia, and a washed-up boxer named Butch Coolidge. Each of their stories unfolds non-linearly, connected by moments of violence, absurdity, and unexpected humanity. Whether it's a bizarre twist during a date, a botched robbery, or an accidental shooting, Pulp Fiction defies traditional storytelling conventions, making it both unpredictable and iconic.

Dreamworks' fantasy comedy sequel Shrek 2 returns just in time for its 20th anniversary! Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey set off to Far, Far Away to meet Fiona's mother and father, the Queen and King. But not everyone is happily ever after. Shrek and the King find it difficult to get along, and there's tension in the marriage. The Fairy Godmother discovers that Fiona has married Shrek instead of her son Prince Charming and plots to destroy their marriage.

Celebrate 50 years of John Boorman's Zardoz, the 1974 dystopian sci-fi cult classic! The story follows Zed, played by Sean Connery, a Brutal who becomes disillusioned with his life of servitude under the rule of a giant floating stone head called Zardoz, which orders the Brutals to kill each other while promising salvation. Zed stows away inside the head and uncovers the truth behind Zardoz and the Eternals' hedonistic yet sterile existence. As he infiltrates their society, he becomes a catalyst for the collapse of their seemingly perfect, but ultimately flawed, world.

In 1981, a nineteen-year-old unknown graffiti writer took the New York art world by storm. The rest is art history.

Join C. Thomas Howell as he provides live commentary throughout the iconic film, The Outsiders: The Complete Novel. Hear what it was like to work with the infamous Francis Ford Coppola and Hollywood stars Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, and the late Patrick Swayze. Learn why Francis Ford Coppola kept the Greaser and Socks separate, even in their down time, and why he chose to film the complete movie on VHS tape first as a rehearsal, and so much more!

The terror starts the moment he stops.

Join us as legendary singer/actor Ted Neeley joins us for the sixth -- and final -- time, as he makes the first stop in Farewell Tour of director Norman Jewison’s 1973 musical classic Jesus Christ Superstar.

Anime Expo Cinema Nights presents a special concert film of the band BABYMETAL with their worldwide tour Legend-43.

For Harry and Lloyd, every day is a no-brainer.

Up next in our Classic Movie Nights series is Stanley Kubrick's Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb!

If this picture doesn't make your skin crawl... it's on TOO TIGHT.

On Saturday, January 11th, 2025, an annual Frida Cinema tradition returns. It’s The Lord Of The Rings Extended Edition...

You’re invited to a special screening of the original Star Wars with special guest Craig Miller! Craig was director of Fan Relations for Lucasfilm from 1977-1980. He created and oversaw the official Star Wars Fan Club as well as having edited and written virtually all of the first two years of Bantha Tracks as well as being a producer for Lucasfilm Ltd.  Craig will be appearing for an on-stage discussion about his experiences at Lucasfilm and his time during Star Wars, and will be joined by C. Andrew Nelson, who was also a former Lucasfilm Ltd/Industrial Light & Magic employee! In addition to C. Andrew Nelson’s work at ILM on VFX for various motion pictures, he was also chosen to play Darth Vader in scenes for the special edition of The Empire Strikes Back and also played the character in the LucasArts games Dark Forces and Rebel Assault 2. Craig will be available to meet fans, and will also be signing his book Star Wars Memories. C. Andrew Nelson will also be signing and meeting fans.   This program is a venue rental engagement. Member discounts and Frida Cinema comp passes not valid. The views and opinions expressed in this program do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of The Frida Cinema or its staff.

You’re invited to a special screening of the original 1982 classic Conan The Barbarian starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, with actress Sandahl Bergman, who plays Valeria, in attendance! There will be a post-screening discussion and Q&A with Sandahl Bergman, hosted by C. Andrew Nelson to follow film.   A horde of rampaging warriors massacre the parents of young Conan and enslave the young child for years on The Wheel of Pain. As the sole survivor of the childhood massacre, Conan is released from slavery and taught the ancient arts of fighting. Transforming himself into a killing machine, Conan travels into the wilderness to seek vengeance on Thulsa Doom, the man responsible for killing his family. In the wilderness, Conan takes up with the thieves Valeria and Subotai. The group comes upon King Osric, who wants the trio of warriors to help rescue his daughter who has joined Doom in the hills.