Five years ago, when Miscelana first launched, we celebrated the 45th anniversary of the Rocky Horror Show. Now, in 2025, we couldn’t let its half-century milestone pass without paying tribute once again. What began in 1973, in a small London theater, as a parody of 1950s horror and sci-fi B movies, became a cultural phenomenon that defies time and continues to challenge conventions.

When the 1975 film adaptation — The Rocky Horror Picture Show — hit theaters, it shocked audiences. Today, it’s a symbol of freedom and transgression. Midnight screenings still draw crowds of fans in costume, chanting lines and singing along in unison, keeping alive a ritual that has crossed generations. The scandal of the 1970s has turned into a passionate cult, yet its irreverence still unsettles the more conservative, proving that Richard O’Brien created something far greater than he ever imagined.

Where are the stars now?

Tim Curry, the unforgettable Dr. Frank-N-Furter, remains a definitive icon. After the film, he built a solid career on stage, film, and television, though a 2012 stroke pulled him away from the spotlight — without ever dimming his legendary aura. Susan Sarandon, the wide-eyed Janet, went on to become one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, an Oscar winner still working today. Barry Bostwick (Brad) continues to act and is a beloved figure at fan conventions and cult screenings. And Richard O’Brien himself, the creator and original Riff Raff, never stepped away from his monster, celebrating each new revival as proof of its enduring life.

The ongoing stage phenomenon

Since its London debut, Rocky Horror Show has rarely left the stage for long. Yes, Mick Jagger’s name was once floated as a possible Dr. Frank — but honestly, who could ever outshine Curry in the role that immortalized him?

Productions keep appearing across the globe, with ever-changing casts embracing the camp aesthetic and sexual provocation that remain as sharp as ever. In Brazil, adaptations continue to attract curious audiences and loyal fans. In the U.S., the tradition of interactive screenings thrives, turning performances into nocturnal carnivals of joy and chaos.

Legacy and permanence

Marking its 50th anniversary is more than just symbolic. It proves that Rocky Horror was never just a passing shock; it has become a lasting work that blends humor, desire, fear, and liberation. For fifty years, it’s been called immoral, vulgar, absurd — and perhaps that is precisely what makes it eternal.

Celebrating Rocky Horror in 2025 is acknowledging how it paved the way for other forms of diversity and boldness in theater and film. Even now, few shows manage to offer the same sense of danger, fun, and irresistible allure all at once.

Because, as we’ve known from the very beginning, it’s impossible to resist the temptation of doing the Time Warp again.