On the day that Prince's family and friends gathered for a private ceremony to celebrate his life, fans in the Valley filled movie theatres to celebrate his music.
Harkin’s Cine Capri auditorium at Tempe Marketplace originally listed one showing for Saturday and one for Sunday, but after quickly selling out Harkins added three more showtimes.
Cathy Miranda joined five friends in Tempe Saturday night. For one couple, it was their first time seeing the movie.
“It relives our past, you know being young again," one of Cathy's friends said.
Miranda said she has seen Purple Rain about 20 times, but never like this.
“When he was singing and stuff people were clapping their hands and even when he had his hand up waving back and forth people were waving their hands," she said. "Almost like it was a real concert.”
The 600-seat auditorium was filled with everyone from millennials to baby boomers. About half of the audience wore purple and everyone expresed appreciation by cheering and clapping several times during the movie.
"It was good to see him, great to listen to his music," said Miranda. "But sad that he's not going to be around anymore."
AMC Theatres is showing Purple Rain at three Valley locations through Thursday.