Before he created the music, he lived every bit of it.
Our Staff Pick for the month of June comes from Allyssa, one of our Box Office Managers! She has chosen the mythmaking rock Drama Purple Rain!
A victim of his own anger, the Kid is a Minneapolis musician on the rise with his band, the Revolution, escaping a tumultuous home life through music. While trying to avoid making the same mistakes as his truculent father, the Kid navigates the club scene and a rocky relationship with a captivating singer, Apollonia. But another musician, Morris, looks to steal the Kid’s spotlight…and his girl.
Purple Rain is a film powered by pure charisma and one of the greatest soundtracks ever recorded. Songs like “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” and the immortal title track were made to shake theater walls, and seeing Prince command the screen in all his magnetic brilliance is a reminder of just how singular a performer he was. Great pick, Allyssa!
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This visionary music documentary traces the turbulent, transcendent life of Gregg Allman, from a childhood ruptured by his father’s murder to the soulful emergence that reshaped American music. Through archival recordings, candid interviews, and electric performances, the film follows Gregg’s musical awakening amid the blues he worshipped, the creation of the Allman Brothers Band with his brother.
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Our Art House for Families series is inviting you to Meet The Beatles!
Just one month after they exploded onto the U.S. scene with their Ed Sullivan Show appearance, John, Paul, George, and Ringo began working on a project that would bring their revolutionary talent to the big screen. A Hard Day’s Night, in which the bandmates play cheeky comic versions of themselves, captured the astonishing moment when they officially became the singular, irreverent idols of their generation and changed music forever.
Directed with raucous, anything-goes verve by Richard Lester and featuring a slew of iconic pop anthems, including the title track, “Can’t Buy Me Love,” “I Should Have Known Better,” and “If I Fell,” A Hard Day’s Night, which re-conceived the movie musical and exerted an incalculable influence on the music video, is one of the most deliriously entertaining movies of all time.
Our Art House for Families series celebrates the magic of moviegoing across generations all summer long. From silent comedy and international classics to science fiction and fantasy adventures, the series invites longtime cinephiles and first-time art house audiences of all ages to discover some of cinema’s most enduring films together on the big screen. This event is sponsored in part by the City of Santa Ana.
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Our friends at GKIDS are presenting a brand new 4K restoration of the fantastic Italian sendup of Fantastia, Allegro Non Troppo!
An enterprising producer believes he has hit upon a winning concept: a program of original animated shorts set to classical music. Undeterred by warnings that this has already been done by an American named ‘Prisney,’ he rallies an orchestra of geriatric women, a bullish conductor, and an animator that he keeps locked in the dungeon. What could go wrong?
From evolution gone haywire to a lonely cat navigating a decaying world, Allegro Non Troppo swings between absurd comedy and quiet melancholy, all wrapped in inventive, boundary-pushing animation.
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The hills are alive…with one of the most beloved movie musicals of all time!
Experience the timeless magic of The Sound of Music, coming back to The Frida with some final encores!
Julie Andrews (Julie Andrews) stars as Maria, a spirited young novice sent to care for the seven children of the строг but widowed Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). What begins as a challenge quickly blossoms into a story of music, love, and resilience, as Maria brings warmth and song back into a regimented household…just as the looming threat of war casts a shadow over their lives.
Directed by Robert Wise and featuring unforgettable songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, The Sound of Music is a sweeping, heart-lifting celebration of courage and the power of finding your voice. From its breathtaking alpine vistas to its iconic melodies, it remains a cinematic treasure that continues to inspire audiences of all ages.
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Get ready to lock, pop, and break your way down memory lane! On May 11, 2026, The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana will host a highly anticipated theatrical anniversary screening of the 1984 summer blockbuster smash hit, Breakin’!
This unforgettable evening will double as a profound tribute to the film’s legendary star, the late Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones, taking place on what would have been his 71st birthday. The exclusive anniversary event will be hosted by Vashawn Quiñones, Adolfo’s son. Following the screening of the film, Vashawn will conduct an intimate and exclusive Q&A session. He will share personal stories, explore his father’s groundbreaking contributions to hip-hop culture, and discuss how the man who famously brought the character Orlando “Ozone” to life earned the undisputed title of “The Godfather of Street Dance.”
Released in the summer of 1984, Breakin’ was a cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm. Grossing over $38 million domestically, it catapulted breakdancing and hip-hop culture from the underground club scenes of Los Angeles into the global mainstream. At the heart of this movement was Adolfo “Shabba-Doo” Quiñones. Before lighting up the silver screen, Quiñones was a founding member of the pioneering dance group The Original Lockers, where he helped innovate and popularize the “locking” style of street dance. His unparalleled talent eventually led him to choreograph and perform for some of the biggest names in music history, including Madonna, Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, and Chaka Khan. Through his explosive footwork, natural charisma, and visionary choreography, Shabba-Doo forever changed the landscape of modern dance.
“My father’s legacy is etched into every spin, pop, and lock you see in street dance today,” says Vashawn Quiñones, “Celebrating the 42nd anniversary of Breakin’ on his birthday is the perfect way to honor his memory, his artistry, and the lasting impact he left on dancers and fans all over the world.” Fans of the film, dance enthusiasts, and lovers of 80s pop culture are invited to experience the electric boogaloo magic on the big screen once again and pay homage to a true cultural icon.
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Get ready to experience the electrifying energy of BanG Dream! 10th Anniversary LIVE Screening Event in Santa Ana!
Time: Door Opens: 3/28/2026 @ 11:15 AM
Show Starts: 3/28/2026 @ 12:00 PM
Location: The Frida Cinema, 305 E 4th St #100, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Co-presented by: Bushiroad Music, Euphoric Production
Cast: Poppin’Party • Afterglow • Pastel＊Palettes • Roselia • Hello, happy world! • Morfonica • RAISE A SUILEN • MyGO!!!!! • Ave Mujica • Mugendai Mewtype
Genre: Concert
Language: Japanese
Celebrate 10 years of music, memories, and bonds with fellow fans on the BIG SCREEN, featuring 10 legendary bands in one monumental concert experience that runs for approximately 5 hours of pure hype and emotion!
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Just added: our friend Valeria Metz is hosting an ultra-special screening of Selena on the Queen of Tejano Music’s Birthday, April 16th! There will be hair braiding by Ponte Your Monos, pins by Totimontillo, and a live DJ set from DJ Mar! All vendor proceeds will be donated to Lucha Costa Mesa!
Discover the true story of one of America’s brightest stars…that faded too soon.
Celebrate the life and legacy of Selena Quintanilla-Pérez with a special birthday weekend presentation of the biographical drama Selena from 1997.
Starring Jennifer Lopez in her breakthrough role, the film traces Selena’s rise from performing at family gatherings in Texas to becoming the “Queen of Tejano Music.” Guided by her devoted family, she navigates fame, love, and ambition while breaking barriers and bringing her music to a wider audience.
A heartfelt tribute to a beloved icon, Selena captures the enduring spirit of an artist whose impact continues to resonate far beyond her years.
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We’re cranking up the jukebox and continuing to celebrate the irresistible rebel spirit of John Waters with a double dose of his 1980s rock and roll flicks: Hairspray and Cry-Baby!
Hairspray: In 1960s Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad lands a spot on a popular local dance show. As she rises to fame, she uses her newfound platform to challenge racial segregation on the program, clashing with snobby rivals and narrow-minded authority figures along the way. With the support of her friends and family, Tracy proves that change can start on the dance floor!
Cry-Baby: In a stylized 1950s Baltimore, tensions run high between the clean-cut “Squares” and the rebellious “Drapes.” When straight-laced Allison falls for Wade “Cry-Baby” Walker, a motorcycle-riding outsider with a reputation for trouble, their romance sparks outrage on both sides. As rivalries escalate and loyalties are tested, the two must decide whether love is worth defying the rules of their divided world.
Packed with catchy songs and Waters’ signature ability to mix satire and sincerity, these two films prove that the weirdos will always have the last dance.
There will be a 10 minute intermission between the films. One ticket gets you access to both!
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The new concert film/documentary Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition is rocking its way to The Frida Cinema for two nights only!
With unprecedented access to the official archives and intimate recollections from the band, both current and past, Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition invites fans to experience one of the most iconic journeys in music history!
Spanning five decades, this electrifying documentary charts the band’s rise from the pubs of East London to the world’s biggest stadiums. Featuring exclusive interviews with band members and contributors such as Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich and Chuck D, as well as all-new animated sequences of the band’s legendary mascot, Eddie, the film offers a rare and intimate look at Iron Maiden’s uncompromising vision and unwavering connection with their truly global army of fans.
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