James Cameron fans can rejoice at finally being able to experience the blockbuster auteur’s thrilling 1989 underwater sci-fi adventure THE ABYSS for the first time in stunning, remastered 4K. In this nuclear sub mysteriously sinks and a private oil rig crew, led by foreman Bud Brigman (Ed Harris), is recruited to join a team of Navy SEALs on a search and rescue effort. The group soon finds themselves on a spectacular life-and-death odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, where they find a mysterious force that could either change the world — or destroy it. With Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Michael Biehn.

Upon its release, the film was hailed for its technical merit marrying strong visual effects and incredible underwater photography. Considering that the film is as much a romantic love story as it is a nail-biting action thriller, one could consider it something of a precursor to that other water-themed movie he would later triumph with in 1999. (TITANIC. We know you knew that.)

“Colossally ambitious, this logistically boggling and technically brilliant film from writer-director James Cameron is a visual tour de force, featuring overall, the greatest underwater sequences ever seen on film.” (The Hollywood Reporter)

“Anyone looking for a discouraging word about this stupendously exciting and emotionally engulfing film should read no further. The Abyss confirms James Cameron as a world-class filmmaker.” (Rolling Stone Magazine)

“The utterly gorgeous special effects frequently overshadow the fact that ‘The Abyss’ is also a totally gripping, claustrophobic thriller, complete with an interesting crew of characters.” (Rotten Tomatoes)

Thursday, January 4
Doors 5:50 pm | Movie 6:15 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

Sunday, January 7
Doors 8:15 pm | Movie 8:45 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

THE ABYSS (James Cameron, 1989 / 14A / 171 mins) A civilian diving team is enlisted to search for a lost nuclear submarine and faces danger while encountering an alien aquatic species.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime.  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.
*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. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.) 

*All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale.