He’s been everyone from Batman to a vampire. This week he plays a real person as To Catch a Predator host Chris Hansen. Robert Pattinson stars in Primetime beginning its run at the Grand this week. Over at the Blue Mouse, the animated adventure The Forgotten Island arrives. And it’s time to do the Time Warp yet again as The Rocky Horror Picture Show returns. Here’s what’s playing at Tacoma’s independent cinemas this week.
The Blue Mouse Theatre – 2611 North Proctor
The Forgotten Island – Sept. 25–27 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., Sept. 28 at 7:00 p.m.
When two best friends end up on a mysterious island that steals memories, their only way out might be to sacrifice the memories of their friendship. This has been one of the most anticipated DreamWorks animated movies in years. And though it may appear to simply be another kids’ cartoon, co-writer/director Januel Mercado made the film as a tribute to his late father who helped him with the Tagalog portions of the dialogue. The movie draws heavily from Philippine mythology and explores themes that adults will find interesting and kids will find entertaining.
Rocky Horror Picture Show – Sept. 26 at 11:30 p.m.
Every month the Blue Mouse presents the anarchic musical classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, but since Tim Curry’s recent death, they’ve decided to have additional showings. Tim Curry absolutely eats the scenery in this fun and ridiculous film. If you’ve never gone to one of these screenings, you’re missing out on a cultural touchstone that has lasted decades. Participation and dressing up are highly encouraged.
The Grand Cinema – 606 Fawcett Avenue
Primetime – Sept. 25 at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m. Sept. 26 at 11:30 a.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m., 2:10 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 7:10 p.m. Sept. 28 at 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. Sept. 29 at 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m. Sept. 30 at 2:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
In 2006, reality television is dominating the television airwaves. And Chris Hansen (Robert Pattinson) leads a television show in which they try to catch men trying to have sex with children. The story of To Catch a Predator is the topic of Primetime, and it promises to be one of the more talked-about movies of 2026. The Grand has an early showing of it this week on September 24, one day before it releases nationwide.
Union County – Sept. 25 at 12:00 p.m., 4:50 p.m. Sept. 26 at 2:30 p.m., 4:50 p.m. Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at 5:00 p.m. Sept. 29 at 4:15 p.m. Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at 5:20 p.m.
Will Poulter and Noah Centineo star as brothers Cody and Jack Parsons, each dealing with a court-mandated drug rehabilitation program in rural Ohio. Filmmaker and Ohio native Adam Meeks blends reality and cinema using nonactors with real stories in some roles. This is a powerful and raw tale of human resilience.
Earth Girls Are Easy – WEIRD ELEPHANT – Sept. 25 and 26 at 10:00 p.m.
The Grand’s Weird Elephant Series was made for movies like Earth Girls Are Easy, its September selection. The movie has Jim Carrey before anyone knew who he was, Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis having a blast, and a soundtrack that will send you right back to the 1980s.
You Had to Be There – Sept. 25 at 2:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. Sept. 26 at 12:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m. Sept. 27 at 2:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. Sept. 28 at 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29 at 2:15 p.m. Sept. 30 at 5:00 p.m. Oct. 1 at 3:10 p.m., 7:40 p.m.
In Toronto in 1972, there was a production of the musical Godspell that somehow included Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, and Paul Shaffer, among others. You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution takes you back to 1972 and that seminal time for comedy. Produced by Judd Apatow, the film is a must for any fans of the history of comedy.
Filipiñana – Sept. 25 at 2:20 p.m., 7:20 p.m. Sept. 26 at 11:50 a.m., 7:20 p.m. Sept. 27 at 2:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m. Sept. 28 at 2:20 p.m., 7:10 p.m. Sept. 29 at 5:00 p.m. Sept. 30 at 4:45 p.m. Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.
A teenage girl working at a posh golf club outside Manila learns dark secrets about the place she works. This Philippine film is an incisive satire exploring capitalism from a unique perspective. This film surprised and delighted audiences at Sundance.
Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty! – Sept. 25 at 11:40 a.m., 2:10 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at 11:40 a.m., 2:10 p.m., 4:40 p.m., 7:10 p.m. Sept. 27 at 11:30 a.m., 2:20 p.m., 4:50 p.m., 7:20 p.m. Sept. 28 at 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. Sept. 29 at 1:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:45 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m., 6:45 p.m.
Haru and Louis love competing in Tokyo’s competitive ballroom dances, but when tragedy strikes, Haru becomes isolated and has to learn how to dance again both literally and figuratively. Despite the sad origin, this is a fun and funny movie where dances can literally sweep people off their feet. If you’re looking for the most romantic movie playing this week, you’ve likely found it.
Exhibition on Screen: James McNeill Whistler – Sept. 29 at 1:45 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
The Exhibition on Screen series continues with the Tate Britain’s first major retrospective of James McNeill Whistler in three decades. His most famous piece is, of course, Whistler’s mother, but this exhibition dives deep into his artistic career with rarely seen works.
Next week, the Grand focuses on the small screen with a special presentation on the hit zombie series The Last of Us.
