References

Alice in wonderland

Obviously, the rabbit in Donnie Darko is closely attached to the rabbit in the famous tale Alice in wonderland.

Evil dead

Evil dead is the film Donnie and his girlfriend Gretchen watch during their first date.

Last temptation of Christ

Last temptation of Christ was the other film to be shown on the movie theatre when Donnie and Gretchen watched Evil dead. Pay close attention when you see them standing outside the building, under the fluorescent sign.

Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita (1962)

When Donnie and his sister, Elizabeth arrange a Halloween party, every one of them are dressed as well-known characters or phenomena. Donnie is dressed as a skeleton. As for Elizabeth, she is dressed exactly the way that Vivian Darkbloom (Marianne Stone) is in the film from 1962.

Peggy Sue got married (1986)

Donnie’s little sister and her performing group Sparkle Motion are dressed in Peggy Sue’s prom suit.

Married with children

Because of his crush on Christina Applegate, Donnie is talking about the TV-show during one of his appointments with Dr. Thurman.