The Historic
​Artcraft Theatre

What's playing!

See what's on sale now, and what's in store!
Keep your eye on this page for the most recent activity and title announcements!
Yes, 35mm film is STILL our preferred movie format! 

We will be announcing movies as dates approach.

Movies will be on sale about five weeks prior for our members, and four weeks prior to the shows for non-members.
Film being inspected by our projectionist, Steve Blair
All films subject to change. Trust us, we don't like that situation any more than you, and we do our best to avoid it.
A Members Only - FREE - showing

King Kong

October 6
7:30 p.m. - Friday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film 
1933 - 1 hour, 40 minutes - Adventure, Fantasy,  Horror
Rating: Passed
King Kong has been entertaining audiences for nine decades, capturing the world's imagination and never letting go. One of the biggest stars in film, both literally and figuratively, Kong is a long-lasting cultural icon, and it all starts with this film.
Starring: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot

​​A Members Only event.
Click here to learn more about Membership and sign up today!
Silent Movie masterpiece with live organ accompaniment by Jay Warren!

Nosferatu

October 7
7:30 p.m. - Saturday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​1922 - 1 hour, 34 minutes - Horror, silent
Not rated
A landmark film in cinema history, Nosferatu is one of the highest-regarded silent films of all time. F.W. Murnau's direction is one of the peaks of German Expressionism, a film movement that emphasized light and shadow, psychological horror and surrealism. Nosferatu still inspires filmmakers to this day, and is a true classic that still entertains modern viewers. This film will be accompanied by a live music score performed by Jay Warren - just how the film would have been screened in the 1920s.
Starring: Max Schreck, Gustav von Wangenheim, Greta Schroeder

Hocus Pocus

October 13 and 14
2 & 7:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday
October 15
2 & 5 p.m. - Sunday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1993 - 1 hour, 36 minutes - Comedy, fantasy
Rated PG
The witches are back again! Hocus Pocus has become a bit of an autumn tradition at the Artcraft Theatre. While it did poorly on initial release, Hocus Pocus has since become a beloved classic, bolstered by the delightfully wicked performances of the Sanderson Sisters - Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Starring: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy

​Sponsored by: Henn Haworth Cummings + Page
The Universal Horror Monster Madness festival features five classic films from Universal Studio, featuring some of their most fun but lesser seen monster movies. 

This Island Earth

October 20
7:30 p.m. - Friday
(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1955 - 1 hour, 26 minutes - Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Rating: Passed
With flying saucers and interstellar transports, aliens abduct Earth's top scientist to help them fight an interstellar war. This Island Earth is one of the last in Universal Studio's decades-long run, putting a cap on the Universal Monsters with an iconic creature design and a classic of sci-fi cinema.
Starring: Jeff Morrow, Faith Domergue, Rex Reason

​Marquee Sponsors: Larry and Nancy VanArendonk
Gold Sponsor: Canines in Action
Silver Sponsor: " ... And Sewing Is Half the Battle!"
The Universal Horror Monster Madness festival features five classic films from Universal Studio, featuring some of their most fun but lesser seen monster movies. 

House of Frankenstein

October 21
2 p.m., Saturday
(Doors open ~ 30 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1944 - 1 hour, 11 minutes - Fantasy Horror, Sci-Fi
Rating: Passed
Escaping from prison, a mad scientist vows to seek vengeance on his captors. His quest for revenge finds him encountering Count Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolf Man. House of Frankenstein is the first to combine three of the most classic monsters Universal Studios ever put on film - with Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster and the Wolf Man all appearing. Notably, Boris Karloff plays the mad scientist, turning Frankenstein duties over to Glenn Strange.
Starring: Boris Karloff, Lon Chaney Jr., John Carradine, J. Carrol Nash

​Marquee Sponsors: Larry and Nancy VanArendonk
Gold Sponsor: Canines in Action
Silver Sponsor: " ... And Sewing Is Half the Battle!"
The Universal Horror Monster Madness festival features five classic films from Universal Studio, featuring some of their most fun but lesser seen monster movies. 

Son of Frankenstein

October 21
5 p.m., Saturday
(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1939 - 1 hour, 39 minutes - Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Rating: Approved
The son of Doctor Frankenstein returns to his ancestral home. Finding the remains of the monster, the baron Frankenstein revives him in an attempt to prove his father's theories right. But the monster will only respond to the commands of the dastardly criminal Ygor, who has revenge on his mind. Son of Frankenstein is another Karloff/Lugosi pairing, with Karloff reprising his role as The Monster, and Lugosi originating the iconic 'Ygor/Igor' character.
Starring: Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Josephine Hutchinson

Local legend and horror host Sammy Terry will be present after the show for autographs in the theater lobby.

​Marquee Sponsors: Larry and Nancy VanArendonk
Gold Sponsor: Canines in Action
Silver Sponsor: " ... And Sewing Is Half the Battle!"
Sammy Terry's appearance courtesy of: Alsip Law Office
The Universal Horror Monster Madness festival features five classic films from Universal Studio, featuring some of their most fun but lesser seen monster movies. 

The Black Cat

October 21
7:30  p.m., Saturday
(Doors open ~ 30 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1939 - 1 hour, 39 minutes - Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi
Rating: Approved
A loose adaptation of the Edgar Allan Poe short story, The Black Cat pits a Hungarian psychiatrist against an Austrian architect, with a newlywed couple caught in the middle. The two old foes, with an enmity stemming from their experiences in WW1, match wits by engaging each other in psychological games and spiritual terror. The first of eight films to showcase the talents of both Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi, The Black Cat shows the two horror legends at the height of their powers. It is a landmark film in the horror genre, with psychological thrills and a surreal, strange atmosphere.
Starring: Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi, David Manners, Julie Bishop

Local legend and horror host Sammy Terry will perform a stage show starting at 7:30 prior to the film screening.
​
​Marquee Sponsors: Larry and Nancy VanArendonk
Gold Sponsor: Canines in Action
Silver Sponsor: " ... And Sewing Is Half the Battle!"
Sammy Terry's appearance courtesy of: Alsip Law Office
The Universal Horror Monster Madness festival features five classic films from Universal Studio, featuring some of their most fun but lesser seen monster movies. 

Island of Lost Souls

October 21
9:30 p.m., Saturday
(Doors open ~15  minutes after end of previous show)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1939 - 1 hour, 10 minutes - Horror, Sci-Fi
Rating: Approved
While originally a Paramount production, Island of Lost Souls was made to capitalize on the success of the original run of Universal monster films - and is now distributed by Universal itself. Arguably the best film adaptation of Dr. Moreau, it is certainly one of the creepiest, with memorable performances from a very sinister Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi and Kathleen Burke as Lota, the Panther Woman. 
Starring: Charles Laughton, Bela Lugosi, Richard Arlen, Kathleen Burke

Local legend and horror host Sammy Terry will perform a stage show starting at 9:30 prior to the film screening.
​
​Marquee Sponsors: Larry and Nancy VanArendonk
Gold Sponsor: Canines in Action
Silver Sponsor: " ... And Sewing Is Half the Battle!"
Sammy Terry's appearance courtesy of: Alsip Law Office

Little Shop of Horrors

October 27 and 28
2 & 7:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1986 - 1 hour, 34 minutes - Comedy, Horror, Musical
Rated PG-13
Feed me, Seymour! A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.
Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia

​Sponsored by: Martin and Linda Bielawski

Artcraft Cooking School

November 2
7 p.m. - Thursday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
An evening of chefs on stage sharing recipes and tasty kitchen ideas!
With special guests Chef Brian Mendenhall from C9 and Chef Charles Bryant from Grafton Peek Catering

​Sponsored by: Stout Renovations
VIP sponsor: Patton Plumbing
Raffle Sponsor: DuKate Fine Remodeling
Grocery Sponsor: Indy Rolloffs
A Reel Women / Vintage Wine event
All tickets are $10 ($5 for members) and include a glass of wine - or - a small popcorn, soda combo. All ages event, wine served with proper I.D.

Steel Magnolias

November 3
7:30 p.m. - Friday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1989 - 1 hour, 57 minutes - Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rated PG
A young beautician, newly arrived in a small Louisiana town, finds work at the local salon, where a small group of women share a close bond of friendship, and welcome her into the fold.
Starring: Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field

​Sponsored by: Vintage Whimsy
Tickets available at the door - day of show only.
Admission is just one canned or non-perishable good.
All goods will be donated to Interchurch Food Pantry.

Cartoons for Cans

November 4
11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Saturday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
Approximately 45-60 minutes (Six cartoons total)

Start your Saturday with a block of six classic Warner Brothers cartoons. Laugh at Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Tweety and the whole gang.
Different cartoons at different showtimes so you can enjoy both shows with no repeats!

​Sponsored by: The Rogers Family
A Brew and View event
All tickets are $10 ($5 for members) and include a glass of beer - or - a small popcorn, soda combo. All ages event, beer served with proper I.D.

RoboCop

November 4
7:30 p.m. - Saturday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1987- 1 hour, 42 minutes - Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
Rated R
In a dystopic and crime-ridden Detroit, a terminally wounded cop returns to the force as a powerful cyborg haunted by submerged memories.
Starring: Peter Weller, Nancy Allen, Dan O'Herlihy

​Sponsored by:   Promise Advisory Group, Shellee Pietras  
Members on sale now!
​General Public on sale: Oct. 4
Admission is free for all veterans and active duty military.

Good Morning, Vietnam

November 10 and 11
2 & 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1987- 2 hours, 1 minute - Action, Crime, Sci-Fi
Rated R
In 1965, an unorthodox and irreverent DJ named Adrian Cronauer begins to shake up things when he is assigned to the U.S. Armed Services radio station in Vietnam.
Starring: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Tom T. Tran

​Sponsored by:  The Apple Works
Members on sale now!
​General Public on sale: Oct. 4

Rocky

November 17 and 18
2 & 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
​​​Scheduled to show on 35mm film
1976- 2 hours - Drama, Sport
Rated PG
A small-time Philadelphia boxer gets a supremely rare chance to fight the world heavyweight champion in a bout in which he strives to go the distance for his self-respect.
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Burt Young

​Sponsored by:  Janette Koon, CFP, Craig Clements, CLF, Waddell and Reed
Members on sale: Oct. 4
​General Public on sale: Oct. 11

A Muppet Christmas Carol

November 24 and 25
2 & 7:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday
November 26
2 & 5:30 p.m. - Sunday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Scheduled to show on 35mm film courtesy of the Branigin Film Library at The Artcraft Theatre 
1992 - 1 hour, 25 minutes - Comedy, Drama, Christmas
Rated G
The Muppets present their own touching rendition of Charles Dickens' classic tale.
Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire

​Sponsored by:  Franklin Tri Kappa
We regret to announce that our traditional annual showings of "A Christmas Story" are postponed until 2024 due to circumstances out of our control. We hope you enjoy our other seasonal films and don't shoot our eyes out.
Members on sale: Oct. 11
​General Public on sale: Oct. 18

Elf

December 1 and 2
2 & 7:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday
December 3
2 & 5:30 p.m. - Sunday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Scheduled to show on 35mm film 
2003 - 1 hour, 37 minutes - Adventure, Comedy, Christmas
Rated PG
Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Starring: Will Ferrell, James Caan, Bob Newhart

​Sponsored by:  The Willard
Members on sale: Oct. 18
​General Public on sale: Oct. 25
Senior Series showing - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 7
Complimentary showtime open to anyone 55 and over (this showing only) courtesy of Swartz Family Community Mortuary. Free small popcorn and beverage courtesy of Astral at Franklin

It's a Wonderful Life

December 8 and 9
2 & 7:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday
December 10
2 & 5:30 p.m. - Sunday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Scheduled to show on 35mm film 
1946- 2  hours, 10 minutes - Drama, Fantasy, Christmas
Rated PG
An angel is sent from Heaven to help a desperately frustrated businessman by showing him what life would have been like if he had never existed.
Starring: James Stewart, Donna Reed, Linonel Barrymore

​Sponsored by:  Jim and Beth Admire Family
Members on sale: Oct. 25
​General Public on sale: Nov. 1
A Members Only - FREE - showing

It Happened on Fifth Avenue

December 14
7 p.m. - Thursday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Scheduled to show on 35mm film 
1947- 1 hour, 56 minutes - Comedy, Music, Romance, Christmas
Rating: Passed
A homeless man sneaks in to reside at a millionaire's New York mansion while the owner is away for the winter. Others are invited to stay with him to share in their shelter and good finding. Unbeknownst to the crew, the owner returns and is forced to play along.
Starring: Don DeFore, Ann Harding, Charles Ruggles

​​A Members Only event.
Click here to learn more about Membership and sign up today!
Members on sale: Oct. 25
​General Public on sale: Nov. 1

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

December 15 and 16
2 &7:30 p.m. - Friday and Saturday
December 17
2 & 5:30 p.m. - Sunday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Scheduled to show on 35mm film 
1989 - 1 hour, 37 minutes - Comedy, Christmas
Rated PG-13
Clark Griswold's good intentions for a fun, old-time, family Christmas implodes into an unforgettable (and very relatable) hilarious disaster.
Starring: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Juliette Lewis

​Sponsored by:  Campbell Shuck Insurance
Members on sale: Nov. 1
​General Public on sale: Nov. 8
Live music on stage!

Jerry Navarro presents:
Music of "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

December 21
7 p.m. - Thursday
​(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Approximately 90 minutes
Enjoy the sounds of the season created by Vince Guaraldi for the classic broadcast "A Charlie Brown Christmas" as Jerry Navarro and friends bring the music to life on stage!
Starring: Jerry Navarro and Friends

​An outside rental event produced by:  Jerry Navarro and Friends
Members on sale: Nov. 1
​General Public on sale: Nov. 8

Die Hard

December 22 and 23
2 & 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday
(Doors open ~60 minutes prior to showtime)
Scheduled to show on 35mm film courtesy of the Branigin Film Library at The Artcraft Theatre  
1989 - 2 hours, 12 minutes - Action, Adventure, Christmas
Rated R
Yippee-kay-ya, Christmas lovers! End the Artcraft Christmas-movie season with a bang as our traditional showing expands from one to FOUR SHOWS!!
John McClane tries to save his estranged wife and her office-mates from terrorists during a Christmas party at Nakatomi Plaza.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Alan Rickman, Bonnie Bedelia

​Sponsored by:  Campbell Shuck Insurance
The Artcraft will take a long winter's nap for the holiday season following the final showing of "Die Hard."
Our offices will reopen at 12:30, Wednesday, January 3, 2024 with movies returning January 5 and 6.