The midnight movie is a time-honored cult tradition in New York City. And, luckily for night owls, it's still a lively one, as several theaters regularly offer late-night screenings, from camp classics to B-movie horror to guilty pleasures. When the clock approaches midnight, here's who you can count on:
Clearview Chelsea
Every Friday and Saturday at midnight, as the end credits to mainstream flicks roll, the camp classic "
Rocky Horror Picture Show" comes to life at the Clearview Chelsea. It starts with a dance party before live actors sing and dance in full costume along to "The Time Warp" and "Science Fiction/Double Feature." You, too, can get in on the fun through callbacks, props and other forms of
audience participation, and, as there's usually a packed house, you won't be alone. Follow the show's
Twitter page to find out about special events, like "Lingerie Night."
Sunshine Cinema
If you're looking for more variety in your late-night weekend options, head to the
Sunshine Cinema. Now through mid-April, the theater is hosting a different movie every Friday and Saturday at midnight, and at a discounted price of $9.99! You can use the rest for a bag of popcorn. Upcoming films include big-screen favorites like "Jurassic Park" (Feb. 18, 19 and, in a special bonus, 20), 1980s teen adventure comedy "The Goonies" (March 18 and 19), and fantasy romps "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (April 15 and 16). There's something, as they say, for everyone.
IFC Center
Not too far away, the IFC Center also is devoting its midnights to "
late night favorites" in a rotating selection of some of their most popular midnight movie offerings. Future films include "House" on Feb. 25 and 26, Nobuhiko Obayashi's 1977 psychedelic, hallucinatory tale about a schoolgirl who travels to her ailing aunt's country home, where she comes face to face with evil spirits, bloodthirsty pianos, and a demonic cat. Then, the series takes a turn for the camp on March 25 and 26 with "Showgirls" (pictured), which is so bad it's good, or, at the very least, hilarious to watch. Especially at midnight.
