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Horror film

Nightmare Cinema (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Nightmare Cinema (2019) movie poster

Nightmare Cinema is a 2019 horror film directed by David Slade and Joe Dante, starring Mickey Rourke as Projectionist (segment "The Projectionist"), Richard Chamberlain and Eric Nelsen. It runs 1 hour 59 minutes and earned $126,920 worldwide. Critics gave it 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
77%
worldwide gross
$126.9K
Echo Score
66
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Nightmare Cinema (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 59m (119 min)
Genre
Horror
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Nightmare Cinema About?

The premise of Nightmare Cinema without spoilers.

Five strangers find themselves trapped within a decaying cinema, where a sinister Projectionist (Mickey Rourke) controls the screen and unleashes a series of terrifying nightmares. Each individual must confront their deepest fears as the mysterious filmmaker weaves their darkest anxieties into a series of twisted cinematic tales that become increasingly real. The experience tests their sanity and forces them to face the horrifying consequences of their own inner demons.

Nightmare Cinema Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • plastic surgery
  • alien invasion
  • demonic possession
  • catholic priest
  • welding mask
  • brain parasite
  • mass child killing
  • psychotronic film
  • hallucination
  • running through woods
  • limping man
  • dying in the hospital
+38 more
  • ghost
  • murder of a girl
  • murder of a child
  • boy
  • teenage boy
  • hospital
  • slitting the throat of a child
  • throat slit
  • school
  • children
  • dead children
  • bloody body of child
  • blood
  • gore
  • decapitation
  • decapitated child
  • murder
  • exploding head
  • head blown off
  • jumping off a roof
  • mouth zoom
  • reflection in eye
  • supernatural horror
  • grindhouse film
  • graphic violence
  • boy in jeopardy
  • child in jeopardy
  • horror host
  • male horror host
  • usa male horror host
  • usa horror host
  • anthology
  • possession
  • demon
  • haunted movie theatre
  • anthology movie
  • spiders
  • cosmetic surgery
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Cast & crew

Nightmare Cinema Cast & Characters

Mickey Rourke leads the cast as Projectionist (segment "The Projectionist"), with Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Leneer (segment "Mirari") and Eric Nelsen as Fred, The Welder (segment "The Thing in the Woods"). Directed by David Slade, Joe Dante and Ryûhei Kitamura; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Nightmare Cinema

· 6 more
From the directors

More from the Directors of Nightmare Cinema

More films directed by the directors of Nightmare Cinema, best-rated first: Gremlins, Rock 'n' Roll High School, Innerspace and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.

Ratings

Nightmare Cinema Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Nightmare Cinema 77% on Rotten Tomatoes and 60 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in sensory experience (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (50).

66 /100

Nightmare Cinema Echo Score Breakdown

Nightmare Cinema presents a visually dynamic anthology that balances intense horror set pieces with uneven storytelling. Critics praised its production value and visceral thrills, while noting that several segments lack narrative cohesion and fail to sustain engagement. Viewers commended the inventive gore and varied directorial styles but found the linking concept and pacing inconsistent. Despite its uneven flow, the film offers enough striking moments to satisfy genre enthusiasts, resulting in a mixed yet entertaining experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Nightmare Cinema delivers robust production design and vivid direction, particularly in its more polished segments. Several critics noted the anthology’s effective use of color and camera movement to heighten tension, and viewers praised the high production value across distinct entries. However, occasional lapses in visual coherence emerge in the less effective episodes. Overall, the film’s craftsmanship is commendable in places but not uniformly sustained.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the anthology offers mixed depth in its performances and emotional impact. Some entries feature engaging portrayals that lend genuine tension, but several stories suffer from underdeveloped characters and thin emotional arcs. Critics and viewers both observed that the linking premise does little to enhance character cohesion, leaving motivations unclear at times. The result is a variable level of emotional resonance across the film.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, Nightmare Cinema presents an array of original premises and inventive twists, but its episodic structure produces uneven pacing. Several critics highlighted the lively diversity of the segments, noting that some installments deliver compelling narratives while others feel routine or underdeveloped. Viewers similarly reported a high hit rate in early episodes followed by diminishing engagement. Ultimately, plot coherence varies across episodes and yields disjointed narrative.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When considering sensory experience, the film delivers visceral impact through bold sound design and a score, amplifying its gore and suspense. Critics observed that several segments employ effective audio cues and a soundtrack to heighten tension, while viewers noted the movie’s practical effects and consistent atmosphere. However, a few episodes present sound mixing issues that reduce immersion. Overall, the sensory elements largely enhance the horror atmosphere despite occasional inconsistencies.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    Regarding rewatch factor, the anthology’s uneven segment quality undermines its appeal. Early episodes deliver memorable twists that encourage a second viewing, yet subsequent installments offer limited novelty or emotional payoff. Critics and viewers both indicated that certain stories fade quickly from memory, reducing incentive for repeat engagement. As a result, the film yields a modest rewatch value that primarily appeals to dedicated horror anthology fans rather than broader audience.

Box office

Nightmare Cinema Box Office

Nightmare Cinema grossed $126,920 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$126.9K

International
$126.9K
Videos

Nightmare Cinema Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Nightmare Cinema.

Nightmare Cinema Official Trailer
Cars

Cars in Nightmare Cinema

4 cars on screen, including the 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV and the 2006 Ford Crown Victoria.

  • 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV in Nightmare Cinema 2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Important role
  • 2006 Ford Crown Victoria in Nightmare Cinema 2006 Ford Crown Victoria Minor role
  • 2008 Ford Escape in Nightmare Cinema 2008 Ford Escape Minor role
  • 1998 Volkswagen Golf III Typ 1H in Nightmare Cinema 1998 Volkswagen Golf III Typ 1H Minor role

Seen Nightmare Cinema?

FAQ

Nightmare Cinema FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Nightmare Cinema, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Nightmare Cinema?

Nightmare Cinema runs 1 hour 59 minutes (119 minutes).

When was Nightmare Cinema released?

Nightmare Cinema was released on June 21, 2019.

Who directed Nightmare Cinema?

Nightmare Cinema was directed by David Slade, Joe Dante and Ryûhei Kitamura.

More films by David Slade

Who is in the cast of Nightmare Cinema?

Nightmare Cinema stars Mickey Rourke as Projectionist (segment "The Projectionist"), Richard Chamberlain as Dr. Leneer (segment "Mirari") and Eric Nelsen as Fred, The Welder (segment "The Thing in the Woods"), among 10 credited actors.

How much did Nightmare Cinema make at the box office?

Nightmare Cinema grossed $126,920 worldwide.

How is Nightmare Cinema rated?

Nightmare Cinema has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 77% on Rotten Tomatoes, 60 on Metacritic and 58% on TMDB.

Does Nightmare Cinema have a post-credit scene?

No. Nightmare Cinema has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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