Purple Rain (1984) is a raw, electrifying blend of rock musical, romance, and coming-of-age drama that cemented Prince as a cultural icon. Set against the gritty Minneapolis music scene, the film follows a gifted but volatile young musician struggling with love, rivalry, and his own inner demons while fighting for his voice on and off the stage. Powered by unforgettable performances and a legendary soundtrack, Purple Rain is more than a movie — it’s a time capsule of 1980s sound, style, and rebellion.

About Reel to Read

The page meets the screen at Reel to Read, a curated series of independent and classic cinema. These free screenings, hand-picked by librarians, local authors, and film experts, include a Recommended Reads list based on the movie.

Admission to this program is subject to venue capacity, and pre-registration DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENTRY. Registered guests are given priority check in 15 minutes before showtime. After the event starts, all registered seats are released and all remaining admittance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We anticipate our space may reach maximum capacity before showtime. We recommend arriving EARLY to secure your spot. Being respectful of all attendees, admittance in the program room will not be allowed 15 minutes after the start of the movie. We reserve the right to prohibit guests from holding seats and late arrival. There is no food or drinks allowed in SNFL program rooms.

Programs are subject to change or cancellation.

Assistive Listening and ASL

ASL interpretation and real-time (CART) captioning available upon request. Please submit your request at least two weeks in advance by emailing accessibility@nypl.org.

Time: 2:00-4:00 pm EST

Free!

Registration