RoboCop Returns for Two Nights at New Beverly
Experience 1987’s sci-fi classic on 35mm at iconic LA’s New Beverly cinema for two nights.
Poulami is an associate editor. She did her MA in English from Miranda House, University of Delhi and has qualified UGC-NET. She also holds a PG diploma in Editing and Publishing from Jadavpur University. Her journey as a content writer began in 2017 and since then, Poulami has garnered diverse interests along the way.
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A Cult Classic Back On The Big Screen
This week, Los Angeles cinephiles get a second chance to experience Paul Verhoeven’s 1987 sci-fi masterpiece RoboCop on celluloid. The New Beverly Cinema’s Instagram account teased the event with a rallying cry—“You have 20 seconds to comply!”—inviting fans to catch RoboCop on the big screen Wednesday and Thursday evening. Known for its grainy 35mm presentation and Tarantino-approved programming, New Beverly will roll out the classic dystopian thriller at its trademark midnight showtimes.
Phil Tippett’s Visual Effects Legacy
The screening holds special significance for famed visual effects supervisor Phil Tippett (@madphilg), whose stop-motion work helped bring RoboCop’s foul-mouthed enforcement droid ED-209 to life. Tippett, a two-time Academy Award winner, began his career animating creatures in George Lucas’s Star Wars and later earned acclaim on projects such as Jurassic Park and The Empire Strikes Back. According to his Wikipedia profile, Tippett’s background in zoology inspired his groundbreaking approach to mechanical and organic movement—an innovation on display whenever ED-209 stomps into a boardroom.
RoboCop follows Detroit detective Alex Murphy (Peter Weller), resurrected as a part-man, part-machine law enforcer in a near-future city overrun by crime. Tippett’s miniature models and stop-motion sequences ground the film’s most outrageous set pieces—moments that retain their visceral punch under the projection lamp.
Why This Screening Matters
New Beverly’s commitment to 35mm preservation offers an authentic encounter with Verhoeven’s razor-sharp satire. Unlike digital restorations, the theater’s wear-and-tear print delivers the flicker, depth, and subtle imperfections that defined late-’80s action cinema. Fans who’ve only streamed or watched on Blu-ray get to witness RoboCop’s gritty soundtrack and practical effects as they were intended.
In a recent post, Phil Tippett shared behind-the-scenes memories from his Berkeley studio, where he and his team crafted the film’s most iconic robots. While Tippett is currently focused on upcoming projects—including his long-awaited book of studio art—he’s been vocal about keeping practical craftsmanship alive. Screening nights at New Beverly give audiences a front-row seat to the enduring power of old-school techniques.
Seats are expected to fill quickly. Ticket details appeared on the New Beverly’s official site and social channels earlier this week—fans are encouraged to reserve spots in advance.
Whether you’re revisiting the classic tale of man versus machine or discovering ED-209’s menacing stomps for the first time, this two-night event promises an unforgettable throwback to ’80s genre filmmaking. Wear your leg guards and come ready to comply—RoboCop awaits.
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