A beloved 2000s sci-fi film, Donnie Darko, which initially struggled at the box office, is returning to cinemas for its 25th anniversary. Directed by Richard Kelly, the film brought together Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal before they became global stars, along with Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore, Mary McDonnell, Katharine Ross, and Noah Wyle. The story follows Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled high school student whose imaginary friend, a six-foot rabbit named Frank, tells him the world is going to end in 28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, and 12 seconds. Donnie narrowly avoids death when a jet engine falls on him and tries to follow Frank’s instructions to preserve the space-time continuum. Despite its initial box office failure in 2001, Donnie Darko has since become a cult classic, often called a "masterpiece" and "remarkable." Arrow Video is re-releasing the film in 4K across the UK on October 30, with a newly filmed introduction from Kelly himself. Tickets are now available through participating cinemas. A statement from Arrow Video highlighted that Donnie Darko set the stage for later hits like Stranger Things, which combined science fiction, nostalgic 80s influences, and Spielbergian storytelling. However, Kelly’s debut feature faced early distribution challenges and struggled to find an audience. The film was released in October 2001, just six weeks after the 9/11 attacks, a time when audiences were reluctant to watch a dark, existential film involving a plane crash. This, along with limited advertising, led to poor turnout and a modest box office performance. Despite these challenges, Donnie Darko eventually found its audience through home video and midnight movie screenings. It earned back its production costs and more, earning a certified fresh 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics praised its originality, intelligence, and Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance. Magazines such as Empire and Sight & Sound called it a "mini-masterpiece" and "haunting and altogether exquisite," while Entertainment Weekly described it as "excitingly original." The film returns to cinemas on October 30, with tickets available for purchase now.