Gregg Araki is ready to bring “Mysterious Skin” into the 2020s: The writer/director will unveil the 4K restoration of the acclaimed 2004 indie at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on September 19 as part of the museum’s overall fall programming slate. Araki will participate in an onstage conversation after the screening with lead star Joseph Gordon-Levitt and novelist Scott Heim, who wrote the source material; Sean Baker will moderate. The 4K presentation comes courtesy of Strand Releasing and will tour theaters next year.
Set in the 1980s and ’90s, the coming-of-age drama stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt, a pre-director-days Brady Corbet, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Elisabeth Shue. It follows the lives of Gordon-Levitt and Corbet as childhood friends who were both sexually abused, and how that abuse shapes and distorts their journeys into young adulthood; Corbet’s character disappears into an alien-abduction fantasy, while Gordon-Levitt’s becomes a street hustler in New York at the height of AIDS.
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“I’m SO excited about the glorious 4K restoration of ‘Mysterious Skin,’” Araki said in a statement to IndieWire. “When we made this little indie 20 years ago, we barely had the money to complete the movie let alone pay for a Digital Intermediate and all the bells and whistles of a big studio film. So I can’t wait to utilize the incredible tools made possible with modern digital technology to polish and enhance the picture in a way that wasn’t possible back in the early 2000s. While I’m not going to drastically alter the film, which has such an amazingly dedicated and passionate following around the world, I am beyond thrilled to create a definitive, gorgeous, technically pristine version of ‘Mysterious Skin’ for audiences past, present, and future to experience.”
Strand Releasing and Antidote Films oversee the 4K restoration with Araki’s participation. The restoration is being conducted at Resillion, with audio done at the film’s original sound studio, Monkeyland Audio. The 4K restoration was made possible by the generous support of the Academy Film Archive, Frameline, the Sundance Institute, and the UCLA Film and TV Archive.
“Our team was thrilled for the opportunity to work on restoring Gregg Araki’s ‘Mysterious Skin.’ Working off a new 4K scan of the original camera negative, each frame of the film was meticulously restored by our team of skilled digital restoration artists. A new HDR color grade was then performed and overseen by Gregg Araki. With this new 4K HDR restoration, audiences are now able to experience ‘Mysterious Skin’ in the best presentation possible,” said Josh Erkman, president, Resillion.
“Strand began its career with Gregg, and we’re so happy to be part of the journey with him on this restoration, which we will launch in theaters early next spring after this screening and some high-profile festival appearances with Gregg, and cast and crew in attendance in various cities around the world,” said Jon Gerrans and Marcus of Strand Releasing.
The “Mysterious Skin” 4K world premiere is just one of the many events for the 2025 fall season at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Programming also includes the respective 30th anniversary screenings of “Toy Story” with producer Bonnie Arnold and co-writer Pete Docter, and “Heat” in 4K with Michael Mann. A 50th anniversary “shadow cast” screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” with Tim Curry, Lou Adler, and Sins O’ The Flesh will additionally take place, along with a screening of “Jaws” in celebration of the opening of “Jaws: The Exhibition” at the Academy Museum.
The Academy Museum will additionally offer a free day on September 28 with general admission and matinee screenings free of charge.
Check out the full program for fall at the Academy Museum, with language provided by the museum, below.
“The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer”
September 3–November 28
A screening series spotlighting the creative team of UK-born production designer Sarah Greenwood and set decorator Katie Spencer, a duo responsible for the visual design of some of the most lush, detailed, and outstanding films of the last two decades. Most recently, with Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” (2023), the team celebrated their seventh Oscar® nomination. Inspired by the museum’s exhibition “‘Barbie’ to ‘Anna Karenina’: The Cinematic Worlds of Sarah Greenwood and Katie Spencer,” on view until October 25, 2026, this program features nine of the team’s memorable collaborations.
Screenings in this series are free with same-day museum general admission and for museum members.
“Around the World with / Autour Du Monde Avec / La Vuelta Al Mundo Con Luis Buñuel“
September 4–October 12
Across some three-dozen short and feature-length films over six decades, filmmaker Luis Buñuel worked in his native Spain, as well as France, Mexico, and the United States, often fleeing to a new country due to tumultuous geopolitical circumstances. To celebrate 125 years since the director’s birth, this series considers Buñuel’s films made in France, Mexico, and Spain, presenting a snapshot of one of the last century’s most radical populist artists.
“Born with Cinema: Gaumont at 130“
September 11–October 11 |
Founded in 1895 by French inventor and engineer Léon Gaumont, the world’s oldest operating film studio is also one of the most influential production companies and distributors in the world. In 2025, the company celebrates 130 years of dedication to the advancement of film as art. With a program to represent each decade of the studio and distributor’s enduring legacy and impact on cinema, this series shines a light on Gaumont’s vast influence, one film at a time.
“The Man Who Fell to Earth” in 4K
September 13
David Bowie plays a humanoid alien who comes to Earth to find resources to save his family, only to be ensnared by all the worldly things our planet has to offer in this visually dazzling sci-fi epic based on the novel by Walter Tevis (The Queen’s Gambit).
In person: Candy Clark and Sam Sweet.
The program will be preceded by a book signing of “Tight Heads” with Candy Clark and Sam Sweet at 5pm. This is a separately ticketed event.
“Jaws”
September 14
On the occasion of the opening of “Jaws: The Exhibition”—the largest mounted exhibition ever organized around Spielberg’s film, opening to coincide with its 50th anniversary— visitors are encouraged to make a Jaws-themed day at the museum by visiting the exhibition before experiencing the film on the big screen.
“Mysterious Skin” 4K Restoration World Premiere
September 19
Based on the acclaimed novel by Scott Heim, Gregg Araki’s haunting adaptation of Mysterious Skin is a complex yet sensitive and deeply moving exploration of childhood trauma, repressed memories, sexual abuse, and their lasting psychological effects.
In person: post-screening conversation with writer/director Gregg Araki and actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, moderated by filmmaker Sean Baker.
“Born in East L.A.”
September 20
Written and directed by the film’s star, Cheech Marin, Born in East L.A. is a satirical comedy about Rudy Robles, a Mexican American who gets mistaken for an undocumented immigrant during a raid and is deported to Mexico. Rudy spends the film trying to make his way back across the border.
In person: Cheech Marin.
“Toy Story” 30th Anniversary
September 21
The witty, heartwarming Toy Story changed the face of feature animation while setting a high mark of quality that Pixar would reach again and again in the decades that followed. The tale of two toys competing for a young boy’s affection—the old-fashioned cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks) and the high-tech spaceman Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen)—was the first animated feature to be nominated for a writing Oscar, with other nominations including Randy Newman’s energetic score and his popular “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.” As a part of the program, audiences will be encouraged to join in for a special sing-along of “You’ve Got A Friend In Me.”
In person: producer Bonnie Arnold and co-writer Pete Docter.
The program will be preceded by a Family Workshop with Pixar production designer Bob Pauley from 12:30–1:30pm.
“Heat” in 4K 30th anniversary screening
September 21
Revered as one of the best-aged and most critically admired films of its genre, writer-director Michael Mann’s epic Los Angeles crime saga casts two titans of contemporary acting as respectful enemies on opposing sides of the law. Robert De Niro is Neil McCauley, a master thief planning a daring bank robbery with the help of his crew (including Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, and Danny Trejo), and Al Pacino is LAPD Lieutenant Vincent Hanna, obsessed with bringing McCauley to justice.
In person: Michael Mann.
“Ulrike Ottinger: Cinema Artist, Cinema Rebel”
September 25–October 4
Iconoclastic German filmmaker Ulrike Ottinger is known for her distinctive approach to narrative and visual storytelling, often blending surrealism, feminism, and political critique in her genre-defying works. She usually writes, shoots, and co-produces her films, monitoring both the production design and post-production. Her films explore themes of identity, gender, and cultural displacement, frequently blurring the lines between documentary and fiction for a truly singular voice in the history of independent filmmaking.
In person for select screenings: Ulrike Ottinger.
“Gallery Spotlight: Diving into ‘Jaws’: The Exhibition”
September 26
A conversation with Senior Exhibitions Curator Jenny He and Assistant Curator Emily Rauber Rodriguez, as they discuss the museum’s newest exhibition, Jaws: The Exhibition, the first-ever exhibition of this scale at the Academy Museum. The conversation will be moderated by exhibition advisory group member and Associate Professor in the Division of Cinema and Media Studies at USC, J.D. Connor.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” 50th Anniversary
September 26
Celebrating 50 years of zealous commitment to repeat viewings and shadow plays, the evergreen late-night classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show might just be the ultimate cult movie. Join us for a sing-along and shadow cast experience for this one-night-only 50th anniversary program. Prop kits will be sold at the theater for maximum audience participation.
In person: Tim Curry, Lou Adler, and Sins O’ The Flesh.
“Naked Lunch” with Peter Weller
October 11
Prolific Canadian filmmaker David Cronenberg adapted William S. Burroughs’ celebrated 1959 nonlinear novel—historic for being the last piece of literature prosecuted for obscenity in the United States—with the author’s unhesitant endorsement and approval. Critically embraced but a commercial flop upon its release, Naked Lunch has developed a cult following in recent decades. One of the last remaining insect typewriters created for the film is currently on display in the Academy Museum’s Encounters gallery.
In person: Peter Weller.
“Monster Mash”
October 25
Join the Academy Museum for a fun-filled day of screenings, special effects makeup demonstrations, storied tours, special appearances by Universal Monsters Bride of Frankenstein and Frankenstein, and activities exploring the monstrously feminine.
“The Love Witch”
October 25
Multi-hyphenate filmmaker Anna Biller spent seven painstaking years making The Love Witch, from costuming to editing, for her vision to come to life. The result is a highly stylized, campy ode to Alfred Hitchcock and Italian giallo films of the 1960s with a feminist twist, critiquing societal pressures placed on women, traditional gender roles, and expectations set on love and relationships.
In person: Director Anna Biller.
“Jennifer’s Body”
October 25
After a demon takes possession of the popular, beautiful high schooler Jennifer Check (Megan Fox), turning her into a succubus, Jennifer feeds her insatiable appetite by seducing and feasting on the boys at her school. It is up to her timid best friend, Needy Lesnicki (Amanda Seyfried), to put an end to Jennifer’s bloody spree before it’s too late. After Diablo Cody’s Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay for Juno (2007), the screenwriter followed up the breakout hit with this sharp-witted, gory take on female rage and power dynamics.
In person: Director Karyn Kusama.
“The Man Who Made Creatures: Special Effects Wizard Carlo Rambaldi”
October 30–November 30
A screening series highlighting the work of Italian special effects artist Carlo Rambaldi (1925–2012), best remembered as the Academy Award–winning artist who created E.T. for Steven Spielberg’s 1982 classic, as well as for his work on King Kong (1976) and The Alien (1979). This centennial celebration of the special effects wizard showcases his extraordinary innovation across three decades, inclusive of his native Italy, Hollywood, and beyond.
“Gallery Spotlight: The Terrordome and Afrofuturism with Ngozi Onwurah”
October 31
Join the Academy Museum with director and filmmaker Ngozi Onwurah as she discusses the history and impact of Afrofuturism within the cyberpunk world. The conversation will also include the making of Onwurah’s first feature, Welcome II the Terrordome (1995), the first theatrically distributed British feature directed by a Black woman.
“Meet Me in St. Louis” in 35mm nitrate
November 1
Sally Benson’s autobiographical stories about her childhood in St. Louis inspired this charming and nostalgic musical, one of the most beloved films of MGM’s golden age. This classic tale of love, family, and the passage of time is the perfect visual treat for any season.
“Jaws 2”
November 8
The summer tourist season of scenic Amity Island is ruined once more, as yet another great white shark claims its peaceful waters for a feeding ground in this lively sequel to director Steven Spielberg’s 1975 classic. For the film’s music, John Williams reprised the classic shark theme from his Oscar-winning Jaws score, but composed a wealth of new musical material, including a lively theme for the boating scenes.
In person: Tim Greiving, author of John Williams: A Composer’s Life.
“Hollywoodland: Significant Oscar Wins”
November 16–24
To accompany the exhibition, Hollywoodland: Jewish Founders and the Making of Movie Capital, this screening series illustrates significant achievements at the Academy Awards by five studios: Samuel Goldwyn, Universal, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Paramount, and Fox.
In person: Kenneth Turan for a screening of The Broadway Melody and A. Scott Berg for The Best Years of Our Lives.
“Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt”
November 22
A tremendous, handmade monument to the lives lost to AIDS, the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt demonstrates that grief and activism together can manifest as a powerful symbol of resilience. Winner of the 1989 Academy Award for Documentary Feature, this moving film explores the human stories obscured by statistics, examining the cross-section of identities affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as efforts to combat the stigma, misinformation, and political obstruction that deepened the crisis. This screening is co-presented with the Foundation for The AIDS Monument, which will open STORIES: The AIDS Monument in West Hollywood Park on November 16, 2025.
In-person: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.
