Wild at Heart and Weird on Top: A Week of Cinematic Obsession at the Academy Museum

©Academy Museum Foundation. Photo by Emily Shur.

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is launching 2026 with a film program that feels both reverent and electric, inviting audiences deep into cinema’s most daring visions. Headlining the schedule is Wild at Heart and Weird on Top, a weeklong tribute to the late David Lynch that celebrates his surreal, unsettling, and endlessly influential cinematic universe. With tickets already moving fast, the series signals just how enduring Lynch’s impact remains.

Running from January 19 through January 26, the tribute opens with Blue Velvet (1986) presented in stunning 4K, showcasing Kyle MacLachlan’s breakout performance and Lynch’s descent into suburban darkness. The celebration reaches an emotional close with Inland Empire (2006) in 4K, featuring Laura Dern in person, followed by a rare 35mm screening of Wild at Heart (1990). Standby tickets and day-of releases ensure that even sold-out screenings retain an air of possibility for devoted cinephiles.

Beyond Lynch, the Academy Museum’s January lineup honors cinematic legacy across genres and generations. On January 17, Guillermo del Toro and George Stevens, Jr. appear for the George Stevens Lecture on Directing, paired with the 4K restoration premiere of The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965). This special event bridges classic Hollywood scale with contemporary auteur insight, underscoring the museum’s role as both archive and forum.

Horror and folklore take center stage with a trio of haunting screenings: The VVitch (2015), Viy (1967), and You Won’t Be Alone (2022). Together, they trace how myth and superstition continue to shape cinematic fear across cultures and decades. For audiences craving spectacle of a different kind, Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999) returns in 4K, reigniting galactic origins with lightsabers, destiny, and John Williams’ thunderous score.

Classic cinema lovers are equally rewarded. The Snake Pit (1948) screens in 35mm, reminding viewers of Hollywood’s early confrontations with mental health and institutional power, while Stormy Weather (1943) dazzles anew in 4K with legendary musical performances from Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, and the Nicholas Brothers. Many of these screenings are free with same-day museum admission, reinforcing accessibility alongside prestige.

The program also extends beyond the screen. A Curator’s View Tour of Jaws: The Exhibition offers behind-the-scenes insight into Spielberg’s enduring blockbuster, while Deliverance (1972) returns with Academy Governors Debra Zane and Richard Hicks discussing its casting and performances. Together, these events frame cinema as a living conversation between artists, historians, and audiences.

With generous support from cultural foundations, philanthropies, and industry partners, the Academy Museum’s January programming reflects a commitment to preservation, education, and bold storytelling. For filmmakers, students, and movie lovers alike, this slate is less a schedule than an invitation: to watch closely, feel deeply, and rediscover why cinema still matters.