Roxy Cinema, 2025 Year in Review

The 2025 programming at Roxy Cinema proved to be one of the most ambitious, vibrant, and artistically resonant years the theater has ever produced, bringing together groundbreaking filmmakers, beloved performers, rare screenings, and deeply personal curatorial voices in a way that captured the very essence of what makes the Roxy a singular home for cinema in New York.

The year began with WILD CHILD, a series curated by Emma Roberts that explored the rebellious, emotionally charged cinema of the early 2000s. Her selections, including highlights such as Girl, Interrupted and The Rules of Attraction, set the tone for a year defined by personal curation, artistic dialogue, and a renewed celebration of both cult and contemporary classics. Roberts’s series invited audiences to revisit the films that shaped a generation of young viewers while reframing their cultural impact for the present moment.

Shortly after, the cinema hosted an extensive tribute to David Lynch following his passing, presenting every one of his films in a rare opportunity to experience his complete cinematic universe on the big screen. The tribute drew longtime admirers and newly curious audiences alike, becoming one of the most talked-about events of the year and reaffirming Lynch’s place as one of the most influential and uncompromising voices in modern film.

Following the Lynch retrospective, Roxy Cinema presented its annual Drag the Oscars, a beloved event that transformed Hollywood’s biggest night into a dazzling celebration of performance, spectacle, and subversion. Blending cinematic reverence with bold theatricality, the evening exemplified the Roxy’s commitment to embracing film culture in all its expressive and communal forms.

The spring season continued with a rare and deeply personal series curated by Martin Scorsese, spotlighting the New York films that shaped his artistic vision. Drawing from the city’s cinematic history, the program offered audiences an intimate look at the movies that influenced one of cinema’s greatest living directors, reinforcing the Roxy’s role as a space where film history is not only preserved but actively shared through lived experience.

The summer ushered in a remarkable evening that brought producer Julian Schlossberg together with legends Elaine May, Jeannie Berlin, and Marlo Thomas for a screening of the rarely shown gem In the Spirit. Their presence turned the event into a once-in-a-lifetime gathering, filled with personal recollections and insights that illuminated the film’s unique place in the landscape of American comedy and independent filmmaking. It became one of the most treasured nights ever hosted at the Roxy.

In the wake of that unforgettable evening, the cinema launched Roxy Reelness, a series dedicated to highlighting LGBTQ+ voices in film. Through bold selections and thoughtful contextualization, the program celebrated queer storytelling across genres and generations, creating space for visibility, dialogue, and shared discovery within the Roxy’s ever-expanding community.

A cherished tradition continued as F. Murray Abraham returned for a special presentation of Amadeus, a film that holds a revered place in Roxy Cinema’s annual programming. His post-screening conversation offered depth, humor, and generosity, reinforcing why both the film and the theater’s commitment to it remain enduring cornerstones of the Roxy experience.

As the summer turned into early fall, Roxy Cinema unveiled a major technical upgrade with the installation of Dolby Atmos sound, marking a significant evolution in the theatergoing experience. The enhancement transformed the cinema’s sonic landscape, allowing audiences to experience films with unprecedented clarity, depth, and immersion. This upgrade reaffirmed the Roxy’s commitment not only to ambitious programming but also to presenting films at the highest possible standard, ensuring that both contemporary releases and classic works could be experienced as their creators intended. Was a true blast watching Megalopolis and One Battle After Another in Atmos.

The year continued with a visit from Mike Figgis, who presented Leaving Las Vegas, bringing renewed attention to its unflinching emotional power. Figgis also shared his latest documentary Megalopolis, offering audiences a rare glimpse into his current creative concerns and expanding the conversation around his body of work.

Harris Dickinson then joined the Roxy for a series dedicated to the films that inspired his directorial debut, Urchin. His thoughtful curation highlighted the cinema that shaped his artistic sensibilities, culminating in a special Q&A for Manila in the Claws of Light, a screening that underscored the profound influence of global cinema on his emerging directorial voice.

Building on that momentum, the Roxy hosted the second highly successful run of the Downtown Film Festival, which showcased an array of standout premieres and dynamic filmmaker conversations. The festival drew an energized audience and featured memorable appearances by Keith McNally, Julia Fox, and Camila Mendes, among many others, cementing its place as a vital platform for bold, contemporary voices in independent film.

Benny Safdie followed with his presentation of The Smashing Machine, offering an inside look into the film’s development and the intense creative process that defines his work. His appearance further strengthened the year’s ongoing dialogue between filmmakers and audiences, a hallmark of the Roxy’s commitment to intimate, creator-driven programming.

Most recently, the cinema hosted the New York City premiere of the Pakistani film Neelofar, marking a powerful moment of international cinema at the Roxy. The screening reflected the theater’s dedication to amplifying global voices and introducing audiences to vital stories beyond the traditional mainstream.

The year also brought several unexpected and unforgettable guests. George Clooney and Noah Baumbach visited for Jay Kelly, engaging the audience in lively discussion about collaboration and creative process. Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley arrived for Hamnet, bringing infectious energy and thoughtful commentary to one of the year’s most anticipated screenings.

Together, these events made 2025 a defining year for Roxy Cinema, distinguished by meaningful conversations, rare appearances, bold curation, and a deep appreciation for both film history and contemporary artistry. It was a year that reaffirmed the cinema’s role as a home for cinephiles seeking community, discovery, and a space where the past and future of filmmaking meet in celebration.