October at Milwaukee Film’s historic cinemas is jam-packed with exciting screenings and events, starting with the first ever Film Fête: A Film Noir Fundraiser Benefiting Milwaukee Film. As the countdown to Halloween begins, check out the spooky series All of Them Witches, as well as the stunning new 4K restorations of The Devils and Kwaidan. October also features a one-night-only screening of the new documentary The Last Picture Shows with director Rustin Thompson in attendance, and the release of highly anticipated new films like John Wilson’s The History of Concrete and Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Digger. The previously announced film series Exhibition on Screen, Cinema Subpoena, and National Theatre Live all continue screenings throughout the month. 

Film Fête – October 8, 2026
Join Milwaukee Film for an unforgettable night of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, femme fatales, and fundraising to support the arts nonprofit’s year-round programming, annual festivals, and historic cinemas. This gala event will feature an interactive discussion about the finest noir films with David Fear, Senior Editor & Critic of Rolling Stone magazine, as well as a prestigious live auction featuring prizes such as an exclusive trip to the 2027 Cannes Film Festival, two one-day passes to the 2027 Ryder Cup, a unique 2027 Venice Film Festival experience, and more! Individual and group ticket packages are on sale now!

All of Them Witches – Starts October 2, 2026
Throughout history, “witch” has been a convenient label for those who threaten the status quo—a way to uphold power by casting someone as dangerous, strange, “wicked.” But sometimes, witches actually are rotten to the core. This series celebrates this spectrum with vampy ladies, paranormal investigators, witch riding, coffin surfing, and phantasmagoric practical effects. 

See the full line-up for All of Them Witches:

The Last Picture Shows – October 11, 2026
In his latest feature The Last Picture Shows, filmmaker Rustin Thompson journeys into the American West on a search for traces of what was once a center of small-town life: the movie theater. The Last Picture Shows reminds viewers that even in vast cinema deserts, there are oases of community and gathering that remain, where the movie house continues to be a place of wonder, contemplation, and connection. See this special one-night-only screening of the touching new documentary with Rustin Thompson in attendance for a post-film discussion. 

4K Restorations – Starting October 9, 2026
Two brand new 4K restorations are hitting Milwaukee Film’s historic cinemas this month: Masaki Kobayashi’s groundbreaking 1965 ghost anthology Kwaidan screens at the Oriental Theatre October 9-13, and arguably the most highly anticipated restoration of the decade, Ken Russell’s The Devils plays at the Downer Theatre October 16-18. 

Exhibition on Screen – Continues Through November, 2026
Milwaukee Film invites audiences to see major art exhibitions from the comfort of the historic Oriental Theatre. This monumental series transports you into the world’s biggest art exhibitions from some of history’s greatest artists (Caravaggio, Frida Kahlo, and more). 

See the full line-up for Exhibition on Screen (all screenings begin at noon):

Cinema Subpoena: Lawyers on Film – Continues Through December, 2026
This brand new series, presented in partnership with experts from Foley & Lardner LLP, features four films wherein lawyers—and the law—are the star of the show. Each of these films has been accused of being “excellent” and “captivating”; previous witness testimony describes some of them as “among the best films of all time.” 

See the full line-up for Cinema Subpoena: Lawyers on Film (all screenings begin at 3:30 PM):

National Theatre Live – Continues Through November, 2026
National Theatre Live films unmissable theatre live from Britain’s most exciting stages and screens it in thousands of cinemas around the globe, like the historic Oriental Theatre! Back by popular demand, our 2026 Fall season of National Theatre Live begins on September 19, and runs through November.

See the full line-up of National Theatre Live films here (all screenings begin at noon):

All Tickets and showtimes can be found online at mkefilm.org/whats-playing