Sci-Fi Saturdays at Camelot Theatre Bring Classic Films to Palm Springs

Palm Springs movie lovers can journey beyond the desert heat this summer—straight into the worlds of time travel, space battles, and post-apocalyptic futures. The Palm Springs Cultural Center at the historic Camelot Theatre is hosting Sci-Fi Saturdays, screening a lineup of beloved science fiction classics and cult favorites every Saturday through September 13.

The series includes fan favorites like The Matrix, Planet of the Apes, Galaxy Quest, and Forbidden Planet, alongside lesser-known cult films such as Repo Man and Barbarella.

For many, these films are more than just entertainment. They're cultural touchstones.

“I had been interested in Star Trek from the original series in the ’70s, and to see it brought to the big screen really spoke to me,” said one local fan who visited Camelot Theatre this week.

Others recalled how films like The Matrix completely changed their view of storytelling: “A mind-bender. I was tripped out,” one moviegoer shared.

The screenings celebrate not just mainstream sci-fi but also its offbeat corners. Titles like Galaxy Quest offer humor and parody, while Barbarella and Repo Man bring in edgier, cult vibes. Fans even pointed out the unique set design in Barbarella’s spaceship—complete with shag carpet.

Steve Sumrall from The Roggin Report visited the theater and spoke with fans about their favorites, capturing their passion for the genre and its legacy.

“Sci-fi is all about giving yourself unconstrained imagination,” said Sumrall. “You can go anywhere, you can do anything.”

The Palm Springs Cultural Center’s Sci-Fi Saturdays is an opportunity to revisit—or discover—films that helped shape modern science fiction. Showtimes, ticket prices, and the full movie lineup are available through the Palm Springs Cultural Center.

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