Ayala Malls Cinemas is holding its annual Thrill Fest on August 21 until September 3 in celebration of Ghost Month, an August tradition believed to be a time when the spirits of the dead come to visit the living. This year’s lineup consists of spine-tingling horror and thriller Hollywood classics that are celebrating milestone anniversaries this year—old goodies that are back once again on the big screen for a limited time only. Even more spooktacular? Movie lovers can watch remastered versions of these frightening old favorites for only P200 – P250. 

Opening this year’s festival, dubbed “Thrill Fest: The Ghost Month Classic Film Series,” are “Interview with the Vampire,” celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and “Gremlins,” originally released in 1984 and turning 40 this year. These two films, starring some of the biggest names in Hollywood—Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Phoebe Cates—will be showing in participating Ayala Malls Cinemas during the first week of Thrill Fest from August 21 to 27. 

Read on to find out why you shouldn’t miss the rare opportunity to watch these classic movies on the big screen! 

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE (1994)

Photo: Interview With the Vampire (1994) | Warner Bros.

What: In “Interview with the Vampire,” 200-year-old vampire Louis de Pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt) shares his story with reporter Daniel Molloy (Christian Slater), chronicling two centuries of desire, love, yearning, grief, terror, ecstasy and regret. 

Who: Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, Christian Slater, Antonio Banderas. Based on Anne Rice’s popular 1976 novel of the same name

Why: Beautiful, mysterious and powerful – vampires are endlessly alluring creatures. Throw in both Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt in the mix and it doesn’t get more alluring and classic than that. 

Showing August 21-27 at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

GREMLINS (1984) 

Photo: Gremlins (1984) | Warner Bros.

What: In the idyllic small town of Kingston Falls, struggling inventor Randall Peltzer (Hoyt Axton) returns home with an unusual pet, called a Mogwai, as a gift for his son Billy (Zach Galligan). Taking care of the Mogwai is simple as long as they follow three important rules: Keep the Mogwai away from water, don’t expose him to bright lights, and never feed him after midnight. But the rules are broken, and the consequences literally multiply at an alarming rate. 

Who: Zach Galligan, Phoebe Cates, Hoyt Axton. Written by Chris Columbus 

Why: Cute one minute, horrifying the next. From the mind of Christopher Columbus, responsible for children’s classics “Home Alone” 1 and 2, and the first three “Harry Potter” films, the horror-comedy of “Gremlins” was so irresistible that the Steven Spielberg couldn’t pass up the opportunity to produce the film. 

Showing August 21-27 at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)

Photo: The Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

40th anniversary.
Starring: Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, John Saxon

A man who was murdered returns as a hideously scarred monster in the terrifying nightmares of his killers’ children who, one by one, are starting to die in their sleep. This classic horror film and its iconic villain, Freddy Krueger, were created by horror slasher genre genius Wes Craven (the “Scream” franchise).

Showing August 28 – September 3 at Ayala Malls Cinemas

THE TOWERING INFERNO (1974)

Photo: The Towering Inferno (1974)

50th Anniversary.
Starring: Steve McQueen, Paul Newman, William Holden, Faye Dunaway, Fred Astaire

Doug Roberts (Paul Newman) is the architect who designed the 138-storey Glass Tower, the tallest building in the world. But during the dedication ceremony for the skyscraper, an electrical short circuit starts a fire. San Francisco Fire Department chief Michael O’Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) arrives on the scene to help put out the fires, but with inadequate wiring that causes more fires, and the building being too high for such an emergency, will the people at the Tower survive? Directed by John Guillermin (known for another Hollywood classic “King Kong”), “The Towering Inferno” won three Academy Awards.

Showing August 28 – September 3 at Ayala Malls Cinemas

Exclusive cinematic experience

(L) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) | (R) The Towering Inferno (1974)

The Thrill Fest offers moviegoers an exclusive cinematic experience – the featured classics are currently not available on popular streaming platforms, and can be watched, for a limited time, only at Ayala Malls Cinemas, and at an affordable price too! For only P200 – P250, cinema patrons can rediscover old favorites in the following participating cinema branches:

1. Glorietta (P250)

2. Greenbelt (P250)

3. Circuit (P250)

4. Market Market (P250)

5. Fairview Terraces (P250)

6. Feliz (P250)

7. Trinoma (P250)

8. UPTC (250)

9. Manila Bay (P250)

10. Harbor Point (P250)

11. Solenad (P250)

12. Ayala Center Cebu (P200)

13. Centrio (P200)

14. Capitol Central (P200)

With state-of-the-art facilities, including plush seating, generous legroom, cutting-edge laser projections, better images and superior audio technologies like Dolby Sound and Dolby Atmos, Ayala Malls Cinemas enhance the movie-watching experience, ensuring that viewers enjoy watching movies in the best possible environment.

In addition to the premium cinematic experience, Ayala Malls Cinemas offers movie lovers a chance to rediscover (and, for the younger ones, discover!) timeless masterpieces. Who says old movies can only be seen via streaming on usually small and mobile screens? Films, especially those created before the age of smartphones, were created for the big screen, the cinema. So hurry and book your tickets to the Thrill Fest now!

Make sure to catch the festival’s four classics – “Interview with the Vampire,” “Gremlins,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Towering Inferno” – during their limited festival run in Philippine cinemas from August 21 to September 3. For more information on screening schedules and to book tickets, movie enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the Ayala Malls Cinemas Facebook and Instagram pages. You may book your tickets in advance by visiting www.sureseats.com or any of the participating cinemas.