'Bill & Ted' fans celebrate famous Tempe Circle K one last time with May 18 movie screening

By Steve Goldstein, Lauren Gilger
Published: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - 12:37pm
Updated: Wednesday, May 18, 2022 - 1:45pm

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Circle K
Jean Clare Sarmiento/KJZZ
Part of "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure," the 1989 comedy/sci-fi mashup starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winters and George Carlin, was filmed at the Circle K at Southern Avenue and Hardy Drive in Tempe.

When it comes to movies and convenience stores, "Clerks" comes to mind. So does the gas card scene in "Reality Bites." But our hometown favorite is "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure," the 1989 comedy/sci-fi mashup starring Keanu Reeves, Alex Winters and George Carlin.

Not only is it an excellent movie, much of it was filmed right here in the Valley, including a Circle K not far from the KJZZ studios at Southern Avenue and Hardy Drive in Tempe.

Now, that Circle K is closing. But movie lovers will have a chance May 18 to pay homage in a unique way — by watching "Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure" as it’s projected on the side of the building. The showings at 7 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. are both sold out.

The movie will be projected outside the convenience store onto a screen mounted to the building. Beach chairs and headphones will be provided to all attendees.

Adding to a most outstanding evening will be 1980s music, movie-themed prizes, a replica time machine and a video message from Alex Winters, aka “Bill."

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