Things get spooky in Wichita with October alternative film events

It’s the season to get spooky, as several local alternative film events and specials embrace the macabre. Here’s a look at what’s coming up this month (times, titles, prices and everything else are subject to change):

ORPHEUM THEATRE

200 N. Broadway, https://wichitaorpheum.com

Anniversary Film Series: “The Amityville Horror” (1979) James Brolin and Margot Kidder star as newlyweds who move with their three children into a large house where a mass murder was committed. They start to experience strange, inexplicable manifestations. No thanks! Showing at 7 p.m. Oct. 17. Tickets are $8, $7 for students, seniors and military.

EMILY BONAVIA TALLGRASS FILM CENTER

120 E. First St. (Unit 113), https://tallgrassfilm.org/tallgrass-film-center/

Reel Cultured ICT presents “House” (1977) A schoolgirl and six of her classmates travel to her aunt’s country home, which turns out to be haunted. Darn the luck! 7 p.m. Fri, Oct. 11. $10 plus tax and fees.

Gate Record Store presents “From Beyond” (1986) A group of scientists develop a machine that allows people to experience an alternate reality. From beyond, apparently. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. $10 plus tax and fees.

Spektrum Muzik presents “Marie Antoinette” (2006) Director Sofia Coppola’s retelling of France’s iconic but ill-fated queen, Marie Antoinette, from her betrothal and marriage to Louis XVI at 14 to her reign as queen at 19 and to the end of her reign, when she loses her head during the French Revolution (literally). 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13.

Year Round Pridegrass: “1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture” (2022) Seeking to uncover the origins of the rabid homophobia of the conservative church, a gay seminary scholar and a straight activist make a shocking discovery: In 1946, an erroneous translation of the term “homosexual” in the Bible that has been weaponized against the LGBTQ+ community ever since. In partnership with Wichita Pride Inc. 7 p.m. Wed., Oct. 16, and 4 p.m. Oct. 19. $10 plus tax and fees.

“Carnage for Christmas” (2024) When true-crime podcaster and sleuth Lola visits her hometown at Christmas for the first time since running away and transitioning, the vengeful ghost of a historical murderer and urban legend seemingly arises to kill again. Perfect timing! 7 p.m. Oct. 18 and 19. $10 plus ta and fees.

TALLGRASS FILM FESTIVAL

Various venues in downtown Wichita, https://tallgrassfilm.org/

Wichita’s premier film event celebrates its 22nd year, taking place in downtown Wichita in several venues, including the Orpheum Theatre, Century II and the Advanced Learning Library, Oct. 24-27.

The festival will feature more than 129 films culled from more than 1,700 submissions worldwide, including a record number of films from 72 countries.

EVERGREEN LIBRARY

26021 N. Arkansas

“Encanto” (2021) A Colombian teenage girl has to face the frustration of being the only member of her family without magical powers in this Disney animation. Presented as a Smallgrass free movie night by Kansas Gas Service and La Voz Employee Resource Group. Four short films will be screened before it from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. “Encanto” will start at 7. Admission is free.

BOULEVARD THEATRE

Inside Towne West Square, 4600 W Kellogg Dr., www.blvdtheatres.com/

Throwback Thrillers series:

“Dracula” (1931) and “The Old Dark House” (1932) The greats, Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff, star in these haunted classics. 1 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. $5.

“Psycho” (1960) Alfred Hitchcock’s classic follows Marion Crane (Janet Leigh, Jamie Lee Curtis’ mom) as she goes on the lam with a wad of cash and hopes of starting a new life, but ends up at the shady Bates Motel, where manager/momma’s boy Norman Bates reigns. 1 and 7 p.m. Oct. 27. $5.

“Nosferatu with Radiohead: A Silents Synced Film” (1922) F.W. Murnau’s classic silent vampire tale will be shown with music by rock band Radiohead. 1 and 7 p.m. Oct. 20. $9, $7 seniors and military, $5 children.

STARLITE DRIVE-IN

3900 S. Hydraulic, https://www.starlitefun.com/

$20 per carload plus tax

Scary Movie Sundays double feature series:

“Bram Stoker’s Dracula” (1992) Francis Ford Coppola’s take on the vampire classic that stars Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder. Showing with:

“The Hunger” (1983) A love triangle develops between a beautiful yet dangerous vampire (Catherine Deneuve), her cellist companion (David Bowie), and a gerontologist (Susan Sarandon). Double feature starts at 7:20 p.m. Oct. 13. $20 per carload plus tax.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors” (1987) The third entry in the Freddy Krueger franchise. Showing with:

“The Return of the Living Dead” (1985) Two bumbling employees at a medical supply warehouse accidentally release a deadly gas into the air that causes the dead to rise again as zombies. Double feature starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 20.

“Carrie” (1976) Sissy Spacek stars in her first Oscar-nominated performance as a shy, friendless teenage girl who is sheltered by her domineering, religious mother, and unleashes her telekinetic powers after being humiliated by her classmates at the senior prom. Showing with:

“The Shining” (1980) Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece follows a family that heads to an isolated hotel for the winter, only to find a sinister presence that influences the father into violence. Just stay way from room 217! Double feature starts at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27.