Donnie Darko is a 2001 (2001 in film) American (Cinema of the United States) psychological thriller written and directed by Richard Kelly (Richard Kelly (director)). The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Noah Wyle, Jena Malone, and Mary McDonnell, and depicts the reality-bending adventures of the title character as he seeks the meaning and significance behind his troubling Doomsday-related (Doomsday event) visions.

The film was initially slated for a direct-to-video release before being picked up by Newmarket Films. Budgeted with $4.5 million and filmed over the course of 28 days, the film missed breaking even, grossing just over $4.1 million worldwide. Since then, the film has received favorable reviews from critics and developed a large cult (cult film) following, resulting in the directors cut receiving a two-disc, special edition release in 2004 (2004 in film).