Joel Schumacher’s 1987 cult classic The Lost Boys is returning to the big screen as part of the Fourth Friday Fright Night series at the Cameo Art House Theatre on Aug. 22 at 9:30 p.m. for a thrilling, nostalgic ride through one of the most stylish, energetic and unforgettable vampire films ever made.
Whether you’ve seen it countless times or never experienced it on the big screen, this is your chance to see it.
When teenage brothers Michael and Sam move with their recently divorced mom to the sleepy coastal California town of Santa Carla, they think their biggest challenge will be adjusting to small-town life with their eccentric grandfather.
But they quickly learn the town hides a dark secret: a gang of leather-clad, motorcycle-riding vampires led by the dangerously charismatic David (Kiefer Sutherland). As Michael falls under their influence, slipping further into the undead world, it’s up to his younger brother Sam and the fearless Frog Brothers (Corey Feldman and Jamison Newlander) to save him before it’s too late.
Also starring Jason Patric, Corey Haim, Dianne Wiest and Edward Herrmann, The Lost Boys is equal parts horror, comedy, action and coming-of-age drama. It’s also soaked in neon lights, unforgettable one-liners and a moody, gothic atmosphere that has made it a beloved classic for over 35 years. The film is directed by Joel Schumacher and written by Jan Fischer, James Jeremias and Jeffrey Boam.
When the film debuted in 1987, The Lost Boys broke the mold of traditional vampire cinema. Before this film, vampires were often depicted as mysterious aristocrats lurking in castles or ancient crypts. Schumacher’s vision updated the genre for a new generation: young, wild, rebellious, and undeniably cool. His vampires wore leather jackets, rode motorcycles and hung out in an abandoned hotel under a boardwalk.
They were seductive, dangerous and effortlessly stylish.
The film also brilliantly blends horror with humor and heart. It doesn’t just focus on the monsters, but on the humans caught in the middle of the nightmare. Michael’s internal struggle, Sam’s desperate attempts to save his brother and their mother’s vulnerability in the wake of divorce all add emotional depth to the story.
Plus, it never takes itself too seriously with the dialogue being sharp, the action thrilling and the scares well-balanced with dark comedy.
The soundtrack, too, has become legendary. Featuring songs like “Cry Little Sister,” “People Are Strange,” and “Lost in the Shadows,” the film pulses with a haunting, synth-heavy energy that defines the era. And everyone remembers that beefy sax player. It’s impossible to watch The Lost Boys and not feel swept up in its atmosphere.
For horror fans in Fayetteville, this is not just another movie night, but is a celebration of everything we love about 1980s horror. Vampires, blood, brotherhood, big hair, black leather and a cool soundtrack. What more could you want?
This screening is also the perfect night out for our local Fayetteville Goth Night community. The mood, music and aesthetic of The Lost Boys fit perfectly within gothic subculture. This is a film where darkness isn’t just part of the setting; it’s part of the style.
If you’ve been to Goth Night, you already know how powerful it can be to connect with others who love the same vibe, the same sound and the same sense of dark spectacle. Now imagine that same energy transported into the Cameo's intimate, atmospheric theater.
The Lost Boys is full of quotable lines, “You're eating maggots, Michael,” and “Michael…Michael…Michael…”. The unforgettable imagery and the kind of bold style that today’s horror movies often forget. It's also a time capsule; a portal back to the 1980s, complete with everything that made that decade strange, stylish and wildly entertaining.
If you grew up with The Lost Boys, this is your chance to relive it with friends or introduce it to a new generation. Whether you're a longtime fan, a first-time viewer, a horror junkie or a member of Fayetteville’s Goth Night scene, this is a movie night you won’t want to miss.
Come in costume, bring your friends and celebrate the enduring bite of one of horror’s greatest cult classics.
UPCOMING SHOWTIME:
Friday, Aug. 22 at 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Cameo Art House Theater box office or online at https://www.cameoarthouse.com/