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‘Donnie Darko’ at 25: How a giant rabbit, time loops, and teen angst became a sci-fi cult classic
Richard Kelly’s 2001 film Donnie Darko turns 25 on Oct. 26, 2026. The story follows troubled teen Donnie, who receives warnings from a spectral rabbit after a jet engine crashes into his home, creating a ticking‑clock alternate reality. Released shortly after 9/11, the film struggled at the box office, earning just over $500 k on a $4.5 m budget, but later gained cult status through midnight screenings, home‑video releases, and a 2004 director’s cut. Its blend of 1980s nostalgia, [...]