What would Halloween be without spooky movies? Fortunately, the folks at our community’s storied Wealthy Theatre have thought about that — and they’re unleashing a monthlong lineup of scary, strange, nostalgic and not-so-scary-but-perfectly-Halloweenish movies, along with live comedy, music and magic.
In other words: October is about to get a whole lot more interesting.
Community members who love fall-themed events will have plenty to look forward to as Wealthy Theatre fills its historic stage and screen with a month of spooky-season entertainment. From cult classics and horror films to family-friendly favorites and local filmmaking, there’s something for just about every kind of Halloween moviegoer.
“Wealthy Theatre has always been a place where the community can come together, and this community’s tradition of watching spooky movies in October gives us some great opportunities to lean into that,” said Wealthy Theatre Director Chris Kotcher. “We’re looking forward to offering something for everyone from classic horror movies and family-friendly screenings to foreign films and new shorts created by local filmmakers.”
The spooky season actually gets rolling before October arrives, with Kiki’s Delivery Service on Sept. 30. Hosted by Unwind GR, the Studio Ghibli favorite is part of the group’s “Knitflix” event series, which invites guests to bring a craft and work on it during the movie alongside other attendees.
As a program of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, Wealthy Theatre helps West Michigan residents connect, learn, create and share on stage, on screen and throughout the historic building.
Originally constructed in 1911, the theatre has become a landmark community venue and a home for local artists, producers and organizations. It is also home to Open Projector Night, the Grand Rapids Film Society and the Tuesday Night Movie Series, among other community events.
There’s also Open Projector Night: Halloween Edition, returning for its fourth annual installment Wednesday, Oct. 21. Presented in partnership with the Grand Rapids Film Society, the event shines a spotlight on local filmmakers, giving artists a chance to share their work and connect with fellow members of Grand Rapids’ creative community.
For audiences, it’s also a chance to discover new filmmaking talent — with a suitably spooky twist.
And that’s just the beginning.
Oct. 24: Get ready to be amazed
Not every Halloween thrill needs to come with a chainsaw.
On Oct. 24, Wealthy Theatre trades the horror-movie chills for Amaze & Amuse: A Modern Day Magic Show, an 18+ performance featuring Trino and Tyler Grey. It’s the lineup’s chance to swap supernatural scares for sleight of hand, illusions and the kind of “wait, how did they do that?” moments that make a night of magic feel right at home in spooky season.
The show is billed as a modern-day magic experience for adults, making it a fitting detour from the month’s horror-heavy movie schedule.
The full spooky-season lineup:
- Sept. 30: Kiki’s Delivery Service — Animated Studio Ghibli fantasy film.
- Oct. 4: Monster House — Animated supernatural horror-comedy film, part of Wealthy Theatre’s Family Film Series.
- Oct. 5: Titane — Body horror and psychological drama film presented by the Grand Rapids Film Society.
- Oct. 6: Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed — Live-action comedy-adventure film.
- Oct. 9: Straight to Gallows: A Dark Comedy Show — Standup comedy showcase.
- Oct. 11: Stephen King’s IT — The 1990 horror classic, presented by the Grand Rapids Film Society.
- Oct. 13: The Sixth Sense — Classic supernatural thriller.
- Oct. 19: Perfect Blue — Psychological thriller with horror elements.
- Oct. 20: An American Werewolf in London — Horror-comedy film.
- Oct. 21: Open Projector Night: Halloween Edition — Short films, presented with the Grand Rapids Film Society.
- Oct. 23: Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics — Live concert.
- Oct. 24: Amaze & Amuse — Modern-day magic show for ages 18+.
- Oct. 26: Cure — Psychological horror and neo-noir thriller film presented by the Grand Rapids Film Society.
- Oct. 27: In the Mouth of Madness — Psychological horror film.
- Oct. 29: Sinners — Community-hosted screening of a supernatural horror film.
- Oct. 30: The Rocky Horror Picture Show — Sold out.
- Oct. 31: The Rocky Horror Picture Show — The ultimate cult classic, complete with a shadow cast.
So, whether your ideal October night involves a haunted house, a horror classic, an animated monster movie, a little live magic or simply sitting in the dark with a theater full of fellow Halloween obsessives, Wealthy Theatre has plenty on the calendar.
For the full schedule and ticket information, visit grcmc.org/theatre/events.
