Donnie Darko to Return to Theaters for 25th Anniversary
Twenty-five years later, the countdown begins again. Fathom Entertainment and Saga Arts are bringing Donnie Darko back to the big screen nationwide in celebration of the film’s 25th anniversary beginning on “Donnie Darko Day” from October 2-4, 2026.
The three-day Donnie Darko 25th Anniversary theatrical release brings audiences together to experience writer/director Richard Kelly’s cult-classic sci-fi psychological thriller in a special new 4K restoration, marking its widest theatrical release to date.
Led by Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal in the defining performance of his early career, Donnie Darko features a powerhouse award-winning ensemble cast including Jena Malone, Emmy Award nominee Drew Barrymore, Academy Award nominee Maggie Gyllenhaal, Academy Award nominee Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Emmy Award winner Noah Wyle, Golden Globe nominee Patrick Swayze, and Emmy Award winner Seth Rogen.
Since its release in 2001, the film’s blend of science fiction, psychological thriller, and coming of-age drama has captivated generations of cinephiles, cementing its place as one of the first cult classics of the new millennium.
In collaboration with American Cinematheque at the Aero Theatre and presented by Saga Arts, the special Donnie Darko 25th-anniversary theatrical release also includes an exclusive introduction by Richard Kelly before the movie, exploring the film’s enduring legacy and how it has captivated audiences for 25 years.
“Fathom Entertainment is thrilled to bring back Donnie Darko to theatres this fall for its 25th anniversary. This was not a film that exploded overnight – it found its audience slowly, and then never let go,” said Shannah Miller, Vice President of Marketing at Fathom Entertainment (upcoming Wildwood).
Miller added, “Twenty-five years later, Donnie Darko is back in a new 4K restoration, with Richard Kelly on hand to talk about why it still resonates so deeply with audiences today.”
Tickets for Donnie Darko 25th Anniversary are now available online and at participating theater box offices (theater locations are subject to change).
In the film, Donnie Darko doesn’t get along with his family, teachers, or classmates, but he finds a kindred spirit in Gretchen and guidance from a compassionate psychiatrist who believes hypnosis may unlock hidden truths.
Meanwhile, Donnie is haunted by Frank, a mysterious giant bunny only he can see. When a jet engine crashes into his bedroom and narrowly misses him, Donnie is drawn into a series of increasingly strange events that seem governed by forces beyond explanation.
