THE NEVERENDING STORY (1984)(PG) Atreyu: Noah Hathaway In-Person 7:30pm

Bastian finds a magical book in an old bookstore that takes him on an adventure into the land of Fantasia.

This May, fans of the 1984 fantasy classic are invited to travel to the world of Fantasia without ever leaving the South Bay. Temple of Geek is proud to announce a special screening of The NeverEnding Story at the historic Gardena Cinema on May 29, 2026.
The evening features a rare, live Q&A with Noah Hathaway, the actor who brought the heroic Atreyu to life. Hathaway will share behind-the-scenes secrets, including his earliest memories on set and the impact and legacy of this film.
An Exclusive Fan Experience
This event offers more than just a trip down memory lane. Temple of Geek has curated a full-immersion experience for attendees:
Meet Atreyu: Every ticket holder will receive a pre-signed 8x10 autograph and get the chance to meet and take a selfie with Noah Hathaway.Authenticated Collectibles: Additional autographs will be available for purchase on-site, with SWAU Authentication present to provide professional services.Cosplay Contest: Fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite characters. Hathaway, a longtime fan of the creative community, noted, "I've always loved the costume part... that's always the most fun for me." Official rules and sign-up forms will be posted on the Temple of Geek website on April 10th.Live Q&A hosted by Temple of Geek's Josh LaCount: Hathaway will share behind-the-scenes secrets, including his earliest memories on set and the impact and legacy of this film. As well as what it was like working on sets of an incredible scale, where the "swamps were six feet of mud," and the practical effects meant "you didn't really have to use your imagination; you were in the swamps."The Venue: A Piece of Cinematic History
The event will be hosted at the Gardena Cinema, a vintage neighborhood treasure built in 1946 and family-operated since 1976. Hathaway expressed his excitement to "get that house packed" at the historic 800-seat theater, recalling the high energy of previous screenings where the community came together to celebrate the film.
"I’ve never seen a movie that resonated so deeply with people," said Hathaway, reflecting on the film's 40-year legacy. "I get to be a part of a whole hell of a lot of people's lives and have influenced a change for the better in a positive way. That, for me, is why I still talk about it and still go to screenings."
Event Information
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026

Doors Open: 6:30 PM

Movie Starts: 7:30 PM

Location: Gardena Cinema, 14948 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249

About Temple of Geek: Temple of Geek is a multi-media culture outlet dedicated to celebrating fandoms, cosplay, and the geek community.
About Gardena Cinema: A staple of the Gardena community for 80 years, the Gardena Cinema is a family-owned, single-screen theater dedicated to preserving the classic movie-going experience.6:30 pm: Doors open.

THE NEVERENDING STORY (German: Die unendliche Geschichte) is a 1984 fantasy film, co-written and directed by Wolfgang Petersen (in his first English-language film), based on the first half of the 1979 novel The Neverending Story by Michael Ende. It was produced by Bernd Eichinger and Dieter Geissler, and stars Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, Tami Stronach, Patricia Hayes, Sydney Bromley, Gerald McRaney and Moses Gunn, with Alan Oppenheimer providing the voices of Falkor, Gmork, and others. It follows Bastian Balthazar Bux, a boy who finds a magical book that tells of a young warrior who is given the task of stopping the Nothing, a dark force, from engulfing the wonderland world of Fantasia.

It is the first in The NeverEnding Story film series. The second half of the book was adapted as a rough basis for the second film, The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter (1990). The third film, The NeverEnding Story III (1994), has an original plot not based on the book.

THIS IS AN INDOOR CINEMA EXHIBITION. PLEASE PURCHASE ONE (1) TICKET PER PERSON.

ONE (1) admission ticket is required PER PERSON! If tickets are not available on Eventbrite, please purchase your tickets at the box office on the day of the event.

FAQ's

WHAT TIME DOES THE MOVIE START?

THE NEVERENDING STORY starts on Friday, May 29, 2026 at 7:30 pm.

Attendees will be allowed to enter the auditorium up to 60 minutes prior to show time.

WHERE DO I PARK?

Free parking is available in the parking lot adjacent to the Gardena Cinema on the north side.

WHERE IS GARDENA CINEMA?

Gardena Cinema is located at 14948 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249.

HOW DO I REDEEM MY TICKET?

Upon purchase, ticket will be emailed to you as a PDF attachment from Eventbrite. When you arrive to the event, please show the entrance attendant the bar code on your ticket at the entrance to the cinema, either by holding up your printed version, or by displaying it on your phone or smart device. Attendant will scan it to check you in, and you'll be good to go into the auditorium!

CAN I BRING FOOD / SNACKS?

NO! This is an indoor screening. Please do not bring outside food or drinks inside the cinema. Tasty refreshments and fresh popped popcorn will be sold at the cinema snack bar.

WILL YOU HAVE RESTROOMS?

YES! Gardena Cinema's lobby, snack bar, and restrooms will be open.

MAY I BRING MY PET WITH ME?

Sorry, PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED INSIDE THE ACTUAL CINEMA BUILDING, (where restrooms and snack bar are located).

WILL YOU BE HOSTING MORE OF THESE?

YES! We intend to continue curating and programming some of the BEST cinema in Los Angeles County! We provide both an intimate Drive-In style setting, as well as traditional indoor cinema experiences. Please support by following us on Instagram and Facebook -- we'll keep you posted on our screenings and events! @GardenaCinema

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @GARDENACINEMA.

Website: www.gardenacinema.com