On This Day

Donnie Darko premiere

January 19th 2001

10:38 19 January 2024

The premiere of 'Donnie Darko' took place at the Sundance Film Festival on this day in 2001. Richard Kelly's science fiction psychological thriller stars Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role as a troubled teenager who, after surviving a bizarre accident, has visions of a mysterious figure in a rabbit costume called Frank who tells him the world will end in 28 days.

The film received positive reviews but performed poorly at the box office, when it was released the following October, due to limited advertising. Promotion for the movie featured a plane crash and coming so soon after the September 11 attacks it was barely advertised. Following the release of 'Donnie Darko' on home video in 2002, it gained a wider audience and has gone on to become a cult classic.