Champions of repertory programming and the theater-going experience, Alamo Drafthouse, will turn the clock back to 1989 with a new series of “Time Capsule” throwback feature screenings.

The movie theater chain’s ongoing Time Capsule series highlights films from years gone by. Previous installments took film fans back to 1999 and 1994. Now, over 40 titles from 1989 will land in Alamo Drafthouse theaters for special screenings starting in May.

1989 Time Capsule Featured Films

  • The apex of ’80s action-adventure cinema in Tim Burton’s brooding, genre-defining superhero epic BATMAN.
  • Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford’s exhilarating return to the adventures of Doctor(s) Jones in INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE.
  • Crucial works by filmmakers who defined the ’80s, ’90s and beyond, including Spike Lee’s masterpiece of fiery social commentary, DO THE RIGHT THING, Steven Soderbergh’s sex, lies, and videotape, Gus Van Sant’s DRUGSTORE COWBOY, and Oliver Stone’s BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY.
  • Movie Party celebrations of Weird Al’s bizarro triumph UHF, John Candy’s rollicking collab with John Hughes in UNCLE BUCK.
  • For Father’s Day, the Dad-est of all Dad films about a Dad reconnecting with his (ghostly) Dad in FIELD OF DREAMS.
  • The timeless tales of California dudes hopping through time, like BILL & TED’S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE and BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II.
  • All three BACK TO THE FUTURE films in honor of the second film in Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale’s sci-fi masterwork.
  • Queer Film Theory 101’s metatextual analysis of ROAD HOUSE and TIE ME UP! TIE ME DOWN!.
  • Dark delights in director Joe Dante’s subversive suburban satire THE ‘BURBS, Nicolas Cage’s go-for-broke performance in VAMPIRE’S KISS, and Graveyard Shift’s reanimation of PET SEMETARY.
  • Brunch with the besties by joining up with TROOP BEVERLY HILLS, the magical high school comedy TEEN WITCH, and the Southern-fried story of laughter and tears, STEEL MAGNOLIAS.

“I was six years old in the summer of 1989, and can still remember my parents teasing me that tickets to BATMAN might be sold out and that we might have to see LAST CRUSADE again instead. Tough life for a kid,” says John Smith, Senior Film Programmer at Alamo Drafthouse. “Thirty-five years later, the films of 1989 are still selling out Alamo Drafthouse screenings, and it’s an honor to share these films with a new generation.”

Tickets for the 1989 Time Capsule screenings are on sale now at drafthouse.com/1989. Plus, for a limited time, tickets will include the option to pre-order a Time Capsule 1989 collectible pint glass. Chris Bilheimer – the acclaimed artist behind legendary album designs for Neutral Milk Hotel, R.E.M., and Green Day – designed the glass.

1989 Time Capsule Menu

In addition to the throwback film screenings, Alamo Drafthouse guests can also treat themselves to special themed menu items. The food and drinks from the 1989 menu draw inspiration from some of the year’s biggest hits. Look out for…

  • The adventurous “Henry Dog” inspired by both Doctor Joneses in LAST CRUSADE.
  • “Dalton’s Choice”, a nice non-alcoholic brew in honor of ROAD HOUSE’s iconic cooler.
  • The “Transylvania Mule,” saluting Nicolas Cage’s scenery-devouring turn in VAMPIRE’S KISS.
  • The “Pizza of the Future” with half pepperoni, half green bell pepper as seen in BACK TO THE FUTURE PART II.

Learn more about exclusive food and merch for Time Capsule 1989 on the Alamo Drafthouse website.

More Upcoming Events At Alamo Drafthouse

Other upcoming and ongoing events at Alamo Drafthouse theaters include:

  • The Twilight Series – Drafthouse continues its run through the Twilight film series, with the final installments Breaking Dawn Part 1 and Part 2 upcoming.
  • Mother’s Day Series – Depending on your mom’s vibe, you can take her to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, John Waters’ Serial Mom, or the ABBA-solutely fantastic Mamma Mia!
  • Pride Series – Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in June with queer classics like But I’m A Cheerleader, The Birdcage, The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, and a new restoration of Rose Troche’s Go Fish.
  • Star Wars Marathon – All nine movies. Running May 3-4, for obvious reasons.

For more updates on films and Alamo Drafthouse special events, check back to THS.

Keep Reading:

Alamo Drafthouse To Host 20+ Hour Star Wars Marathon Event