Central Cinema Upcoming eventshttps://centralcinema865.com/Knoxville's Neighborhood MoviehouseThe Love Witchhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/the-love-witch/Love WitchWith director Anna Biller's followup THE FACE OF HORROR slaying audiences at this year's Toronto Film Festival, we're flashing back for a tenth anniversary presentation of this impeccable comedic horror pastiche. Elaine, a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, and then picks up men and seduces them. However, her spells work too well, leaving her with a string of hapless victims. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved will drive her to the brink of insanity and murder. "THE LOVE WITCH goes beyond camp, beyond pastiche; it ignites the pulpy surfaces of its tale and produces a smoke of bad-dream sexiness and scariness. It's a B-movie with A-grade potency." - Guardian]]>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2https://centralcinema865.com/production/the-texas-chainsaw-massacre-part-2/Texas Chainsaw 2Surely one of the oddest sequels of all time, Tobe Hooper's decade-late followup is worlds away from his somber, genre-shaking 1974 debut... but it's somehow just as terrifying, and twice as unhinged. The saw is family! Chainsaw-wielding maniac Leatherface (Bill Johnson) is up to his cannibalistic ways once again, along with the rest of his twisted clan, including the equally disturbed Chop-Top (Bill Moseley). This time, the masked killer has set his sights on pretty disc jockey Vanita Stretch Brock (Caroline Williams), who teams up with Texas lawman Lefty Enright (Dennis Hopper) to battle the psychopath and his family deep within their lair, a macabre abandoned amusement park. "Gratuitously violent, and none too subtle (it lacks the subversive qualities of the original) it's also undeniably funny, maniacally energetic fare with a liberal smattering of enjoyable set-pieces." - BBC]]>16mm Screening: An American Werewolf in Londonhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/16mm-screening-an-american-werewolf-in-london/American WerewolfWe're bringing back one of our lycan-tastic horror comedy favorites for a special Film on Film 16mm screening (ticketed below) followed up by 4K digital encores Sunday & Monday. BEWARE THE MOON! David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. "Inspired by John Landis' zippy direction and macabre wit, this outrageous horror film sinks its fangs into your funnybone and never lets go." - Boston Globe]]>The Love Witchhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/the-love-witch/Love WitchWith director Anna Biller's followup THE FACE OF HORROR slaying audiences at this year's Toronto Film Festival, we're flashing back for a tenth anniversary presentation of this impeccable comedic horror pastiche. Elaine, a beautiful young witch, is determined to find a man to love her. In her gothic Victorian apartment she makes spells and potions, and then picks up men and seduces them. However, her spells work too well, leaving her with a string of hapless victims. When she finally meets the man of her dreams, her desperation to be loved will drive her to the brink of insanity and murder. "THE LOVE WITCH goes beyond camp, beyond pastiche; it ignites the pulpy surfaces of its tale and produces a smoke of bad-dream sexiness and scariness. It's a B-movie with A-grade potency." - Guardian]]>An American Werewolf in London (4K Digital Encores)https://centralcinema865.com/production/an-american-werewolf-in-london-4k-digital-encores/American WerewolfWe're bringing back one of our lycan-tastic horror comedy favorites for a special Film on Film 16mm screening Saturday followed up by 4K digital encores (ticketed below) Sunday & Monday. BEWARE THE MOON! David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. "Inspired by John Landis' zippy direction and macabre wit, this outrageous horror film sinks its fangs into your funnybone and never lets go." - Boston Globe]]>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2https://centralcinema865.com/production/the-texas-chainsaw-massacre-part-2/Texas Chainsaw 2Surely one of the oddest sequels of all time, Tobe Hooper's decade-late followup is worlds away from his somber, genre-shaking 1974 debut... but it's somehow just as terrifying, and twice as unhinged. The saw is family! Chainsaw-wielding maniac Leatherface (Bill Johnson) is up to his cannibalistic ways once again, along with the rest of his twisted clan, including the equally disturbed Chop-Top (Bill Moseley). This time, the masked killer has set his sights on pretty disc jockey Vanita Stretch Brock (Caroline Williams), who teams up with Texas lawman Lefty Enright (Dennis Hopper) to battle the psychopath and his family deep within their lair, a macabre abandoned amusement park. "Gratuitously violent, and none too subtle (it lacks the subversive qualities of the original) it's also undeniably funny, maniacally energetic fare with a liberal smattering of enjoyable set-pieces." - BBC]]>An American Werewolf in London (4K Digital Encores)https://centralcinema865.com/production/an-american-werewolf-in-london-4k-digital-encores/American WerewolfWe're bringing back one of our lycan-tastic horror comedy favorites for a special Film on Film 16mm screening Saturday followed up by 4K digital encores (ticketed below) Sunday & Monday. BEWARE THE MOON! David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he's plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. "Inspired by John Landis' zippy direction and macabre wit, this outrageous horror film sinks its fangs into your funnybone and never lets go." - Boston Globe]]>The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2https://centralcinema865.com/production/the-texas-chainsaw-massacre-part-2/Texas Chainsaw 2Surely one of the oddest sequels of all time, Tobe Hooper's decade-late followup is worlds away from his somber, genre-shaking 1974 debut... but it's somehow just as terrifying, and twice as unhinged. The saw is family! Chainsaw-wielding maniac Leatherface (Bill Johnson) is up to his cannibalistic ways once again, along with the rest of his twisted clan, including the equally disturbed Chop-Top (Bill Moseley). This time, the masked killer has set his sights on pretty disc jockey Vanita Stretch Brock (Caroline Williams), who teams up with Texas lawman Lefty Enright (Dennis Hopper) to battle the psychopath and his family deep within their lair, a macabre abandoned amusement park. "Gratuitously violent, and none too subtle (it lacks the subversive qualities of the original) it's also undeniably funny, maniacally energetic fare with a liberal smattering of enjoyable set-pieces." - BBC]]>Live! Box Office Comedy featuring Derek Sheenhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/boc/BOC SheenJoin the Comedy Sphere at Central Cinema for Box Office Comedy, a stand-up comedy showcase that brings big laughs to the big screen. We're turning the theater into a comedy club for the night with a lineup of hilarious comedians guaranteed to leave you laughing long after the credits roll! Our headliner is Seattle's Derek Sheen, a cuddly mess of insecurities and a gifted, one-of-a-kind storyteller. His ability to mine humor from the dark, humid corners of the human condition has made him a cult favorite of comedy nerds around the globe. He has amassed a pretty loyal fan base touring with comedy legends (name-drop alert!) Brian Posehn, Patton Oswalt and Janeane Garofalo. Derek Sheen has released four critically acclaimed comedy albums. 18+ | $5 | Doors 8pm | Show 8:30pm
Third-Party Event Notice: this screening or performance is presented by an outside organization using Central Cinema as a venue for hire. Questions regarding content, ticketing and other event-specific information should be directed to the organizers.
]]>Boorman and the Devilhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/boorman-and-the-devil/Boorman and the Devil A featured selection at this year's Knoxville Horror Film Fest (October 21 - 25 at Central Cinema and the Parkway Drive-In), BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL is just the sort of Movie Movie we like... so we're tying it in to that ongoing megaseries with three non-festival screenings! (We also invite non-passholders to join us for THE EXORCIST, showing at the Parkway Drive-In 10/22, and/or THE EXORCIST III, closing out KHFF 2026 on 10/25 at Central Cinema with limited walk-up admission!) After directing POINT BLANK and DELIVERANCE, John Boorman was offered to direct THE EXORCIST II. The film became a massive failure, nearly ending his career. Years later, cast and filmmakers discuss its ambition and artistic value. "BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL doesn’t redeem EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC; it speaks about the film openly and honestly, flaws and victories alike, making this documentary infinitely more complete than other, fawning retrospectives about other, better movies." - The Wrap]]>Boorman and the Devilhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/boorman-and-the-devil/Boorman and the Devil A featured selection at this year's Knoxville Horror Film Fest (October 21 - 25 at Central Cinema and the Parkway Drive-In), BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL is just the sort of Movie Movie we like... so we're tying it in to that ongoing megaseries with three non-festival screenings! (We also invite non-passholders to join us for THE EXORCIST, showing at the Parkway Drive-In 10/22, and/or THE EXORCIST III, closing out KHFF 2026 on 10/25 at Central Cinema with limited walk-up admission!) After directing POINT BLANK and DELIVERANCE, John Boorman was offered to direct THE EXORCIST II. The film became a massive failure, nearly ending his career. Years later, cast and filmmakers discuss its ambition and artistic value. "BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL doesn’t redeem EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC; it speaks about the film openly and honestly, flaws and victories alike, making this documentary infinitely more complete than other, fawning retrospectives about other, better movies." - The Wrap]]>Boorman and the Devilhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/boorman-and-the-devil/Boorman and the Devil A featured selection at this year's Knoxville Horror Film Fest (October 21 - 25 at Central Cinema and the Parkway Drive-In), BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL is just the sort of Movie Movie we like... so we're tying it in to that ongoing megaseries with three non-festival screenings! (We also invite non-passholders to join us for THE EXORCIST, showing at the Parkway Drive-In 10/22, and/or THE EXORCIST III, closing out KHFF 2026 on 10/25 at Central Cinema with limited walk-up admission!) After directing POINT BLANK and DELIVERANCE, John Boorman was offered to direct THE EXORCIST II. The film became a massive failure, nearly ending his career. Years later, cast and filmmakers discuss its ambition and artistic value. "BOORMAN AND THE DEVIL doesn’t redeem EXORCIST II: THE HERETIC; it speaks about the film openly and honestly, flaws and victories alike, making this documentary infinitely more complete than other, fawning retrospectives about other, better movies." - The Wrap]]>Skate Video Nighthttps://centralcinema865.com/production/skate-video-night/
Skate Video NightSkate Video Night is a monthly showcase of top-shelf skate videos, presented on VHS and DVD the last Monday of the month and curated by collector Chris Albiston. Admission is just $7! Please note that this monthly series is presented in a more casual mode than other CC screenings, including increased light level in the auditorium and no discouragement of casual conversation. Come hang out!
 
]]>The Thing (1982)https://centralcinema865.com/production/the-thing-1982-2/The ThingOne of the most terrifying films ever made, John Carpenter's masterpiece returns to Central Cinema for three Halloween week showings. (And speaking of HALLOWEEN, we'll be offering a double bill with that 1978 John Carpenter masterpiece on Friday, October 30!) In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp, and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. "A peerless masterpiece of relentless suspense, retina-wrecking visual excess and outright, nihilistic terror." - Empire Magazine]]>16mm Double Bill: Dracula (1931) + ???https://centralcinema865.com/production/16mm-double-bill-dracula-1931/DraculaJoin us for a special 16mm 'Film on Film' presentation of Tod Browning's 95-year-old horror movie wonder, which helped kickstart the industry-changing franchise of Universal Monsters that resonates in pop culture to this day... plus a selection of spooky season celluloid treats including a bloodsucking bonus feature! The dashing, mysterious Count Dracula (Bela Lugosi), after hypnotizing a British soldier, Renfield (Dwight Frye), into his mindless slave, travels to London and takes up residence in an old castle. Soon Dracula begins to wreak havoc, sucking the blood of young women and turning them into vampires. When he sets his sights on Mina (Helen Chandler), the daughter of a prominent doctor, vampire-hunter Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) is enlisted to put a stop to the count's never-ending bloodlust.]]>The Thing (1982)https://centralcinema865.com/production/the-thing-1982-2/The ThingOne of the most terrifying films ever made, John Carpenter's masterpiece returns to Central Cinema for three Halloween week showings. (And speaking of HALLOWEEN, we'll be offering a double bill with that 1978 John Carpenter masterpiece on Friday, October 30!) In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp, and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. "A peerless masterpiece of relentless suspense, retina-wrecking visual excess and outright, nihilistic terror." - Empire Magazine]]>Trick 'r Treathttps://centralcinema865.com/production/trick-r-treat/This delightful holiday horror comedy has become a seasonal favorite around here, and we're pleased to bring it back to the screen for two nights alongside director Michael Dougherty's newly-restored 1996 animated short SEASON'S GREETINGS, which introduced TRICK 'R TREAT's iconic mascot Sam. Interwoven stories demonstrate that some traditions are best not forgotten as the residents of a small town (including Anna Paquin, Brian Cox and Dylan Baker) face real ghosts and goblins on Halloween. Tales of terror reveal the consequences of extinguishing a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight and a grumpy hermit's encounter with a sinister trick-or-treater. "There are a lot of tricks in this movie, and a lot of treats - that isn't just a cheesy Halloween reference, it's the visible intended design of this funny, weird, sometimes actually unsettling movie." - Polygon]]>The Thing (1982)https://centralcinema865.com/production/the-thing-1982-2/The ThingOne of the most terrifying films ever made, John Carpenter's masterpiece returns to Central Cinema for three Halloween week showings. (And speaking of HALLOWEEN, we'll be offering a double bill with that 1978 John Carpenter masterpiece on Friday, October 30!) In remote Antarctica, a group of American research scientists are disturbed at their base camp by a helicopter shooting at a sled dog. When they take in the dog, it brutally attacks both human beings and canines in the camp, and they discover that the beast can assume the shape of its victims. "A peerless masterpiece of relentless suspense, retina-wrecking visual excess and outright, nihilistic terror." - Empire Magazine]]>Halloween (1978)https://centralcinema865.com/production/halloween/Halloween What else would we be showing on Halloween? Join us as we once again mark the grand finale of spooky season with John Carpenter's unreasonably influential slasher classic, paired with Carpenter's THE THING on Friday 10/30 and with TRICK 'R TREAT on Saturday 10/31. Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again. "Carpenter's classic has inspired a million imitations as well as sequels, but few that demonstrate so clearly that a disreputable genre movie can also be a pure, rigorous work of art." - The Age ]]>Trick 'r Treathttps://centralcinema865.com/production/trick-r-treat/This delightful holiday horror comedy has become a seasonal favorite around here, and we're pleased to bring it back to the screen for two nights alongside director Michael Dougherty's newly-restored 1996 animated short SEASON'S GREETINGS, which introduced TRICK 'R TREAT's iconic mascot Sam. Interwoven stories demonstrate that some traditions are best not forgotten as the residents of a small town (including Anna Paquin, Brian Cox and Dylan Baker) face real ghosts and goblins on Halloween. Tales of terror reveal the consequences of extinguishing a Jack-o-Lantern before midnight and a grumpy hermit's encounter with a sinister trick-or-treater. "There are a lot of tricks in this movie, and a lot of treats - that isn't just a cheesy Halloween reference, it's the visible intended design of this funny, weird, sometimes actually unsettling movie." - Polygon]]>Halloween (1978)https://centralcinema865.com/production/halloween/Halloween What else would we be showing on Halloween? Join us as we once again mark the grand finale of spooky season with John Carpenter's unreasonably influential slasher classic, paired with Carpenter's THE THING on Friday 10/30 and with TRICK 'R TREAT on Saturday 10/31. Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again. "Carpenter's classic has inspired a million imitations as well as sequels, but few that demonstrate so clearly that a disreputable genre movie can also be a pure, rigorous work of art." - The Age ]]>NAZAhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/naza/NazaJoin us for a limited engagement of this striking and controversial exposé of the Israeli war machine, produced in secret by the filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND. (Stay tuned for more information on potential panel discussions & more!) In secret conversations on the rooftops of Tel Aviv at night, the systems behind Israel's calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are revealed by the people who designed and operated them. "As a work of cinema, it is exemplary. As a work of journalism, it is inarguable. As a document, it is an indictment." - Time Out]]>NAZAhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/naza/NazaJoin us for a limited engagement of this striking and controversial exposé of the Israeli war machine, produced in secret by the filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND. (Stay tuned for more information on potential panel discussions & more!) In secret conversations on the rooftops of Tel Aviv at night, the systems behind Israel's calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are revealed by the people who designed and operated them. "As a work of cinema, it is exemplary. As a work of journalism, it is inarguable. As a document, it is an indictment." - Time Out]]>NAZAhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/naza/NazaJoin us for a limited engagement of this striking and controversial exposé of the Israeli war machine, produced in secret by the filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND. (Stay tuned for more information on potential panel discussions & more!) In secret conversations on the rooftops of Tel Aviv at night, the systems behind Israel's calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are revealed by the people who designed and operated them. "As a work of cinema, it is exemplary. As a work of journalism, it is inarguable. As a document, it is an indictment." - Time Out]]>NAZAhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/naza/NazaJoin us for a limited engagement of this striking and controversial exposé of the Israeli war machine, produced in secret by the filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND. (Stay tuned for more information on potential panel discussions & more!) In secret conversations on the rooftops of Tel Aviv at night, the systems behind Israel's calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are revealed by the people who designed and operated them. "As a work of cinema, it is exemplary. As a work of journalism, it is inarguable. As a document, it is an indictment." - Time Out]]>Tiny Stage presents Central Cinema Comedy Nighthttps://centralcinema865.com/production/tiny-stage-comedy-night/Join us for our FREE monthly live standup engagement, showcasing Knoxville's best comics courtesy of our friends at Tiny Stage Comedy! Doors at 7pm, comedy beginning at 7:30pm.
Third-Party Event Notice: this screening or performance is presented by an outside organization using Central Cinema as a venue for hire. Questions regarding content, ticketing and other event-specific information should be directed to the organizers.
]]>NAZAhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/naza/NazaJoin us for a limited engagement of this striking and controversial exposé of the Israeli war machine, produced in secret by the filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND. (Stay tuned for more information on potential panel discussions & more!) In secret conversations on the rooftops of Tel Aviv at night, the systems behind Israel's calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are revealed by the people who designed and operated them. "As a work of cinema, it is exemplary. As a work of journalism, it is inarguable. As a document, it is an indictment." - Time Out]]>NAZAhttps://centralcinema865.com/production/naza/NazaJoin us for a limited engagement of this striking and controversial exposé of the Israeli war machine, produced in secret by the filmmakers behind NO OTHER LAND. (Stay tuned for more information on potential panel discussions & more!) In secret conversations on the rooftops of Tel Aviv at night, the systems behind Israel's calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza are revealed by the people who designed and operated them. "As a work of cinema, it is exemplary. As a work of journalism, it is inarguable. As a document, it is an indictment." - Time Out]]>