Fifty Years of The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Scarily 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and Disney wants fans to do the ‘time warp’ again!

The film’s half-century milestone is being celebrated with a new 4K Ultra remaster that will be released in cinemas and on Blu-ray later this year.

 

The 1975 film stars Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon as a newly engaged couple who seek help at the castle of gender-bending Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) when their car breaks down.

Based on the musical play by Richard O’Brien – with a screenplay by O’Brien and director Jim Sharman, and produced by Lou Adler and Michael White – The Rocky Horror Picture Show broke the mold with its legendary late-night screenings, complete with shadow casts, fan costumes, and interactive rituals, the film pioneered a new kind of audience participation that redefined the cinema-going experience.

Even today, 50 years later there are weekly screenings around the world, making The Rocky Horror Picture Show the longest-running theatrical release of all time.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The new 4K restoration release features a newly mixed Dolby Atmos audio track, bringing enhanced depth and dimension to the film’s iconic soundtrack.

“It’s a privilege to help preserve the legacy of a film that has meant so much to so many,” says Kevin Schaeffer, Director of Disney’s Restoration & Library Management. “Bringing The Rocky Horror Picture Show to life in 4K allows us to honor its bold, genre-defying spirit and ensure that audiences – both longtime fans and first-time viewers – can experience it as it was originally intended, with stunning picture and sound.”

“When The Rocky Horror Picture Show was first released, no one thought it would be around very long let alone…50 years,” says producer Lou Adler. “What began as a small, rebellious project has become a global celebration of individuality, community, and creative freedom. This anniversary is a tribute to the fans who kept it alive and kicking all these years.”

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Film Synopsis

Fasten your garter belt and relive the time-warping, gender-bending cult classic! When a newly engaged couple’s (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon) car breaks down on a rainy night, they wind up in the creepy castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). There, they have an adventure that will thrill you, chill you and fulfill you like never before!

Read the Guradian’s How we made: The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Hope fully there will be a Hong Kong release!

Heathers the Musical Live in Hong Kong

Welcome to Westerberg High, where cliques rule, jocks dominate and all the popular girls are named Heather. It’s going to take a Veronica and a mysterious new kid to give teen angst a body count and reveal that everyone fears being a nobody, but it’s murder being a somebody…

In 2010, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy turned the iconic 1988 movie Heathers, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, into a musical – Heathers the Musical. And as illogical as it sounds mostly it works, there’s even a film version.

To celebrate their 10th Anniversary local music school Amusix is bringing Heathers the Musical live to Hong Kong on the 13-14  May at The Box, Freespace in West Kowloon. Director Joul Jacquin spoke to bc magazine about his new production.

What attracted you to put on Heather’s the Musical in Hong Kong?
I’m not a big fan of musicals. I thought that Grease was my only favorite. But the soundtrack of Heathers is wonderful. As a music school for over 10 years, we’ve done many types of performances from bar shows to big venues, to touring around Asia. A bigger project was the next step to celebrate 10 years of the school. The major thing about this show is that the music is played live by the students of Amusix, in a rock band formation. 

Have you made any ‘local’ changes to make the show more relevant?
Not really, the talented cast is very eclectic due to HK’s multicultural society. 

The film the musical is based on is quite old, do you think it still resonates with a very changed modern youth who exist on social media?
We’ve made a few changes to make it modern, but otherwise, the problems are still the same: ‘popular’ girls, bullies, anorexia, and people who don’t even know you exist. The High School Society. 

Heathers-Veronica Hong Kong 2023

What were you looking for when casting?
Characters that match at best the role and are ready to spend 6 months on a project. And I think we did pretty well on that. I love this cast.  They know what compromise for each other. means. 

Can you introduce yourself and Amusix to our readers?
I have been a gweilo in HK for +17 years now. As BC magazine readers know, I was the frontman of a band called Dr. Eggs till it was over my head and I chose to spend more time on productions with young artists at Amusix. We are not only coaching music but we are producing some of them. Let’s say I’m sharing my experience from the past with them. They are fresh. They want to go. They want to play. 

What do you hope the audience can draw from the show?
Heathers remind you how important decisions you take are important for your life. Be kind to your friends and also to your enemies. This is a micro-society. Be good for everyone. Be sunshine. it will always pay.

Heathers the Musical
Date:
 13-14 May 2023
Venue: The Box, Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District
Tickets: $450, $280 from Amusix

Heathers the Musical 2023

Vivo

VIVO – Insect Kingdom Charity Musical
Agent of Change Foundation,More Than Love Theater,Tsuen Wan Youth Drama Society
Date: 18-20 August, 2017
Venue: HK Cultural Centre, Studio Theatre
Tickets: $260 from Urbtix

Wicked

Wicked
Date: 8 December, 2016 – 22 January, 2017
Venue: HKAPA, Lyric Theatre
Tickets: $1,095, $895, $595, $445 from HKTicketing
More info:
Tue-Sat 2pm, 7:45pm
Sun: 1pm, 6pm

Stomp

Stomp
Date: 23 September-9 October, 2016
Venue: Venetian Theatre
Tickets: $780, $580, $380, $180 from HKTicketing
More info:
Tue – Fri: 8pm
Sat: 2pm & 8pm
Sun: 1pm & 6pm

Shrek

Shrek The Musical
Date: 22 July – 7 August, 2016
Venue: Venetian Theatre, Macau
Tickets: $780, $580, $380, $180 from HKTicketing
More info:
Mon: No Show; Tue – Fri: 8pm; Sat: 2pm & 8pm; Sun: 1pm & 6pm