“First of all, keep him out of the light, he hates bright light, especially sunlight, it’ll kill him. Second, don’t give him any water, not even to drink. But the most important rule, the rule you can never forget, no matter how much he cries, no matter how much he begs, never feed him after midnight…”

‘Gizmo’ is having a birthday, so we are celebrating Joe Dante’s iconic horror-comedy GREMLINS with a 40th Anniversary screening on Thursday, December 19. Written by Chris Columbus (THE GOONIES, HOME ALONE), GREMLINS is a hilarious holiday classic that appeals to kids of all ages (especially if they grew up in the 80s).

When a gadget salesman is looking for that special Christmas gift for his son Billy, he happens upon something totally unusual at an old store in Chinatown. Though the shopkeeper is reluctant to sell him the adorable “Mogwai,” creature, he sells it to him anyway –  with a few important caveats. Never expose him to bright light, water, or to feed him after midnight. When the instructions aren’t followed, chaos ensues when a gang of mischevious, lizard-like gremlins appear, wreaking havoc and tearing up the Norman Rockwell-esque  town on Christmas Eve. Starring Phoebe Cates, Zach Galligan, Corey Feldman, Polly Holliday, Keye Luke and… Gizmo.

“This postmodern, endlessly referential, utterly ruthless film is an ingenious, delightfully scary fairytale horror flick …” (The Observer)

“Think of ‘A Christmas Carol’ visited by ‘The Birds.’ Think of ‘The Muppet Movie’ run amok. Imagine a berserk film editor splicing ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ to ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers,’ with quoting from ‘Snow White’ and a nod to ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’.” (Christian Science Monitor)

Thursday, December 19
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

GREMLINS (Joe Dante, 1984 / 106 mins / PG) | When Billy Peltzer is given a strange but adorable pet named Gizmo for Christmas, he inadvertently breaks the three important rules of caring for a Mogwai, and unleashes a horde of mischievous gremlins on his small town.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and passes OK for any single film only. Please redeem at the door.
*We recommend purchasing your tickets in advance at www.riotheatretickets.ca. If a screening or live event is not sold out, the remaining tickets will be available for in-person purchase at the Rio Theatre’s Box Office prior to showtime (subject to availability).
*Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats, and time for treats at concession.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime.

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. No refunds or exchanges.