movie theaters Archives

Movie theater meltdown: AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, Cineplex and more shut down because of coronavirus pandemic

March 17, 2020

by Carla Hay

Updated March 20, 2021

As of March 17, 2020, thousands of movie theaters across the United States will be closing until further notice because of the coronavirus pandemic. They join the thousands of other cinemas around the world that have also shut down for the same reasons.

AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, Cinemark and Cineplex are closing until further notice all of their locations in the United States. Cinemark is closing as of March 18, 2020, while the other major cinema companies are closing as of March 17, 2020. In the U.S., several independent movie theaters, such as Alamo Drafthouse and Landmark, also closed of all their locations. In some cities and states, these closures are mandatory. In other areas, the closings are voluntary.

Refunds are being given for tickets purchased in advance for screenings that will no longer take place. AMC, Regal and Alamo Drafthouse all have subscription services. As of this writing, only AMC has officially announced that it will not charge subscription fees during the period of time that its theaters are closed, although Regal and Alamo Drafthouse will no doubt have similar policies. AMC also announced that its subscriptions expirations will not be in effect during the closure of AMC Theaters.

Other movie-theater chains in North America that have closed until further notice include Marcus Theatres, Harkins Theatres, B&B Theatres, National Amusements (also known as Showcase), Caribbean Cinemas, Goodrich Quality Theaters, Southern Theatres, Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas, Neighborhood Cinema Group and Georgia Theatre Company.

Most of the movie theaters in the U.S. that are remaining open have pledged to not book theater rooms at more than 50% capacity. But given the huge dropoff in moviegoing since the coronavirus outbreak was classified as a pandemic, attendance at movie theaters was reaching well below 50% anyway.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the three largest cinema companies—Cineworld, Odeon and Picturehouse—are also closing all of their locations, as of March 17, 2020, in Ireland and as of March 18, 2020, in the United Kingdom. These shutdowns will continue until further notice.

What does this mean for movie audiences? Major studios are shortening the period of time that movies in theatrical release will be released on home video for rental or purchase. Universal Pictures has already announced that it will release DreamWorks Animation’s “Trolls World Tour” on video on demand (VOD) and in theaters on April 10, 2020. “Trolls World Tour” had previously been scheduled for theatrical release only on that date. Other movies that are currently in theatrical release will have their home-video releases moved up.

The industry standard used to be that major studios would wait at least 90 days before a movie in theatrical release would be released on home video or streaming services. (This rule wasn’t followed by most independent studios.) The major studios would be threatened with boycotts by corporate-owned movie theaters if they didn’t comply with this 90-day window. And it’s why corporate-owned theaters such as AMC, Regal, Cineplex and Cinemark would not carry independent films and films from streaming services that didn’t follow this release mandate.

But now, with almost all of these corporate-owned movie theaters closed until further notice, they no longer have the power to dictate when studios can release films on home video after a theatrical release. The power has now shifted to those who can deliver movies to people in ways that don’t involve movie theaters. Going to the movie theaters won’t be considered obsolete, but the coronavirus pandemic has permanently altered the cinema business. It’s going to take a very long time for movie theaters to recover. Going to movie theaters just won’t reach the same levels that it had during its peak.

Click here for an updated list of other corona virus-related cancellations and postponements in the entertainment industry.

June 19, 2020 UPDATE: The three biggest cinema companies in the U.S. have announced their re-opening dates:

Regal Cinemas: July 10, 2020
AMC Theatres: July 15, 2020
Cinemark: July 17, 2020

Regal and AMC have announced that they will require all employees and customers to wear masks in the theater building. Customers who show up without masks can purchase masks at the theater location. Cinemark will require all employees to wear masks but will not require customers to wear masks in states or cities that do not have policies requiring that people wear masks in public.

In addition, most movie theaters have pledged to not book screening rooms above 50% capacity. Customers will be encouraged to purchase their tickets online or at kiosks instead of at a theater box office. In addition, placing advance online orders for food is also being encouraged. The major cinema companies have also announced stricter guidelines for more frequent cleaning and social distancing inside each theater location’s building.

October 5, 2020 UPDATE: Cineworld, the company that owns Regal Cinemas and Picturehouse, has announced that, for the second time in 2020, it is temporarily closing all of its U.S. theater locations. The temporary closures begin on October 8, 2020. In addition, all Cineworld and Picturehouse location in the United Kingdom will also temporarily close, as of October 8, 2020. The reason cited is the lack of blockbuster movies scheduled for release in 2020. It has not been announced yet when these Regal Cinemas, Cineworld and Picturehouse locations will re-open.

March 20, 2021 UPDATE: Regal Cinemas will re-open on April 2, 2021.

Tribeca Enterprises, IMAX and AT&T team up for Tribeca Drive-In

May 6, 2020

The following is a press release from Tribeca Enterprises:

Tribeca Enterprises today announced a partnership with IMAX and AT&T to unveil “Tribeca Drive-In,” an all-new drive-in entertainment series that will take place this summer at drive-in theatres and other exclusive venues nationwide. The limited engagement series will provide families with a safe, comfortable entertainment experience in cities and towns across the country, as the nation takes steps to emerge from coronavirus lockdowns.

“Tribeca Drive-In” will kick off on Thursday, June 25. The series will roll out to markets across the country throughout the summer, and will feature a curated selection of new, classic and independent films, as well as special music and sports events. The full programming line-up and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

IMAX will bring its unique expertise as the world’s most immersive movie experience to serve as lead technology partner for “Tribeca Drive-In.” IMAX will utilize its exclusive Digital Re-Mastering (IMAX DMR®) process to enhance the image and sound of all “Tribeca Drive-In” presentations, provide technological support and equipment to optimize its venues and screens, and collaborate with Tribeca Enterprises to curate the program, drawing from its rich library of IMAX content.

“It’s in our DNA to bring people together through the arts, showing strength and resiliency when the world needs it the most,” said Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder and CEO Jane Rosenthal. “At a time when people are eager to connect and convene again after months-long social distancing, we’re taking the spirit of Tribeca around the country by creating a safe environment where audiences can come together and enjoy the sense of connection found by going to the movies.”

“We’re excited to give people something to look forward to this summer and reinvent a classic moviegoing experience for communities to enjoy together safely,” added Tribeca Enterprises and Tribeca Film Festival Co-Founder Robert De Niro.

“Communities, artists, and storytellers thrive on their connections to each other,” said Lupa Systems Founder and Tribeca Enterprises Co-Owner James Murdoch. “This is what Tribeca Enterprises was made for, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with IMAX, AT&T, and civic leaders across the country to kindle those connections, together.”

“Perhaps now more than ever, Americans are craving opportunities to come together, enjoy storytelling and creativity as a community, and recapture the shared cultural experiences that are part of our national identity,” said IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond. “We’re proud to partner with Tribeca Enterprises and AT&T to develop this innovative program, shed a little light in this challenging time, and remind people of the magic of going to the movies as we look forward to reopening theatres around the world.”

“Distanced but not distant, we’ve never craved connection more than now, and AT&T’s continued support of Tribeca is one more way we’re helping keep people connected to each other, the causes and stories they love,” said AT&T Communications Chief Brand Officer Fiona Carter. “Taking these movies, music, and special events to drive-in screens in communities across America is an ingenious solution that we’re proud to support as we stay #ConnectedTogether.”

“I know many drive-ins really appreciate the opportunity to work with Ms. Rosenthal and the Tribeca Enterprises team to bring content to our screens in this much-needed environment,” said John Vincent, President of United Drive-In Theatre Owners Association.

Tribeca was founded to unify New York City in the aftermath of 9/11, rallying people through the arts to send a signal of resiliency to the world. Now, as America braces itself to emerge from months of social distancing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Tribeca aims to help people across the country feel the same sense of unity and strength by bringing audiences together for entertainment and fun in a way that’s both healthy and safe.

For each Drive-In event, Tribeca will work with local vendors to support small businesses and make the experience truly unique to each community. Programming will embody Tribeca’s ethos of unity and resiliency, and bring the storytellers and artists who breathe life into the Tribeca Film Festival to audiences everywhere.

The “Tribeca Drive-In” series will run throughout the summer in cities across the country. Additional locations and programming details will be announced in the coming weeks. For the latest updates, please visit tribecafilm.com.

About Tribeca Enterprises

Tribeca Enterprises is a multi-platform storytelling company, established in 2003 by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal. Tribeca provides artists with unique platforms to expand the audience for their work and broadens consumer access to experience storytelling, independent film, and media. The company operates a network of entertainment businesses including the Tribeca Film Festival; the Tribeca TV Festival; and its branded entertainment production arm, Tribeca Studios.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX’s network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

AMC Theatres announces worldwide boycott of Universal Pictures due to ‘Trolls World Tour’ home-video release

April 28, 2020

by Carla Hay

On April 28, 2020, AMC Theatres (the world’s largest cinema company) announced that it is implementing a worldwide boycott of Universal Pictures because the movie studio broke the 90-day embargo for when a movie can be released on home video after being in movie theaters. The boycott was announced after Universal Pictures released the DreamWorks Animation film sequel “Trolls World Tour” directly to home video on April 10, 2020, the day that the movie had been scheduled to be released in movie theaters.

Corporate-owned movie theaters have traditionally refused to carry movies that are released on home video or streaming services within a 90-day period of the movies being released in movie theaters. These movies typically play at independently owned movie theaters, which do not have this strict 90-day embargo policy. It’s why Netflix movies do not play in major theater chains such as AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Cineplex.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, AMC shut down all of its cinema locations in the U.S. and Canada, as of March 18, 2020. Almost all other movie theaters (corporate and independent) in the U.S., Canada and several other countries also closed the same week. As of this writing, most of the movie theaters have remained closed with no specific re-opening dates announced yet. The majority of AMC theater locations are in the United States, which has about 660 AMC theaters, making AMC the largest movie-theater chain in the U.S.

AMC Entertainment president/CEO Adam Aron issued a statement about the Universal Pictures boycott that read, in part: “Going forward, AMC will not license any Universal movies in any of our 1,000 theatres globally on these terms. Accordingly, we want to be absolutely clear, so that there is no ambiguity of any kind. AMC believes that with this proposed action to go to the home and theatres simultaneously, Universal is breaking the business model and dealings between our two companies. It assumes that we will meekly accept a reshaped view of how studios and exhibitors should interact, with zero concern on Universal’s part as to how its actions affect us. It also presumes that Universal in fact can have its cake and eat it too, that Universal film product can be released to the home and theatres at the same time, without modification to the current economic arrangements between us.”

The statement continues: “Therefore, effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theatres in the United States, Europe or the Middle East. This policy affects any and all Universal movies per se, goes into effect today and as our theatres reopen, and is not some hollow or ill-considered threat. Incidentally, this policy is not aimed solely at Universal out of pique or to be punitive in any way, it also extends to any movie maker who unilaterally abandons current windowing practices absent good faith negotiations between us, so that they as distributor and we as exhibitor both benefit and neither are hurt from such changes. Currently, with the press comment today, Universal is the only studio contemplating a wholesale change to the status quo. Hence, this immediate communication in response.”

Universal Pictures released “Trolls World Tour” in North America at the premium video-on-demand (PVOD) rental price of $19.99, which allowed renters to watch the movie for up to 48 hours. Universal has not yet announced when “Trolls World Tour” will be available for purchase on digital, DVD or Blu-ray. On April 28, 2020, Universal Pictures announced that “Trolls World Tour” had revenue of $100 million in PVOD rentals in its first three weeks of availability in North America.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, major and independent studios have dramatically changed their theatrical release schedules for their films, with most the theatrical releases getting pushed back several months. Universal Pictures movies whose theatrical release dates have been postponed and rescheduled include “Fast & Furious 9,” now due out on April 2, 2021; “Jurassic World: Dominion” (June 11, 2021); “Minions: The Rise of Gru” (July 2, 2021); and “Sing 2” (December 22, 2021). Universal Pictures’ next release after “Trolls World Tour” is the comedy “The King of Staten Island” (starring Pete Davidson and directed by Judd Apatow), which will be released directly to video on June 12, 2020, a week before the movie’s originally scheduled theatrical release date.

After the success of “Trolls World Tour” being released directly to video, Warner Bros. Pictures announced that it would follow a similar strategy for the animated Scooby Doo film “Scoob!,” which was originally scheduled to be released in theaters on May 15, 2020. The movie’s release date is still the same, but it will now be on digital and VOD. Unlike Universal’s rental-only strategy for “Trolls World Tour,” Warner Bros. is making “Scoob!” available for rent and purchase on the same day.

Meanwhile, AMC Theatres, like many other cinema companies, is reportedly running out of operational cash. The company is headquartered in Leawood, Kansas, but AMC is actually owned by the Chinese corporation Wanda Group. In October 2019, AMC began offering VOD rentals and purchases of digital film releases under the name AMC Theatres On Demand, but AMC’s studio boycott does not extend to that service. Universal Pictures titles (such as “The Invisible Man” and “The Hunt”) are still available on AMC Theatres On Demand.

So far, AMC is the only corporate-owned movie theater to announce that it is boycotting any studios that break the 90-day embargo. Alamo Drafthouse and Landmark are two of the independent cinema companies with several U.S. locations that do not limit their selections to movies that have a 90-day home-video/streaming service embargo, so this boycott war does not apply to them.

However, as long as any movie theaters are closed for an undetermined period of time, their financial clout has significantly weakened. Boycotted studios will just take their movies to other theaters that are willing to carry their films. And even after theaters have re-opened, no one knows yet how long it will take for business at movie theaters to get back to “normal,” or if the peak of cinema attendance is now a thing of the past.

April 29, 2020 UPDATE: Cineworld/Regal Cinemas has now joined the boycott. Click here for more details.

July 28, 2020 UPDATE: AMC Theaters and Universal Pictures have reached a truce in their feud. According to Variety, AMC has agreed to carry Universal’s films in AMC Theatres, as long as AMC can have those movies in AMC’s U.S. theaters for a minimum of 17 days, including three weekends.

After the 17 days, Universal will likely make the movies available through premium video on demand (PVOD), which allows viewers to rent a movie on digital and TV platforms for up to 48 hours, for about twice the cost of a regular, non-3D movie theater ticket. The agreement also says that three months after a movie’s theatrical release, the movie’s rental price can then drop to a regular VOD rental price range, which is about half the cost of a regular non-3D movie theater ticket.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but AMC CEO Aron said that AMC will “share in these new revenue streams” with Universal. It has also not been revealed yet if AMC Theatres will have this policy for its locations outside the United States.

Click here for an updated list of other corona virus-related cancellations and postponements in the entertainment industry.

Regal Cinemas joins AMC Theatres in boycott of Universal Pictures and any movie studio that breaks home-video embargo

April 29, 2020

by Carla Hay

Regal Cinemas (which is owned by Cineworld) has joined AMC Theatres in its boycott of Universal Pictures and any major film studio that releases any movie directly to home video instead of the original plan to release the movie first in cinemas. Regal’s announcement comes one day after its competitor AMC Theatres announced it was implementing this boycott immediately, for an undetermined period of time.

Regal issued this statement on April 29, 2020, that read in part: “Cineworld’s roots go back 90 years in the industry and it was always open to showing any movie as long as the rules were kept and not changed by one-sided moves. Today we make it clear again that we will not be showing movies that fail to respect the windows as it does not make any economic sense for us.”

The boycott was prompted by Universal Pictures releasing DreamWorks Animation sequel “Trolls World Tour” directly to video on April 20, 2020. “Trolls World Tour” had originally been scheduled to be released in movie theaters on that date. But due to the coronavirus pandemic shutting down almost all movie theaters worldwide, as of mid-March 2020, Universal opted to not postpone the “Trolls World Tour” release date and released the movie directly to digital/video-on-demand as a premium-priced rental.

Cineworld (based in Brentford, England) is the second-largest cinema company in world and in the U.S., with approximately 790 locations worldwide, of which more than 570 locations are in the United States. Regal Cinemas, a Cineworld subsidiary, is based in Knoxville, Tennessee. AMC Theaters (based in Leawood, Kansas) is the largest cinema company in the world, with more than 1,000 locations worldwide, of which more than 660 locations are in the United States.

Just like AMC Theatres, Regal has a subscription service that is suspended while its theater locations remain closed. The theater re-opening dates for Cineworld/Regal, AMC and other major cinema companies have not yet been announced, as of this writing.

The following is the full press release/statement from Cineworld/Regal:

Cineworld and Regal’s policy with respect to the window is clear, well known in the industry and is part of our commercial deal with our movie suppliers. We invest heavily in our cinemas across the globe and this allows the movie studios to provide customers all around the world the opportunity to watch movies in the best experience. There is no argument that the big screen is the best way to watch a movie.

Universal unilaterally chose to break our understanding and did so at the height of the Covid-19 crisis when our business is closed, more than 35,000 employees are at home and when we do not yet have a clear date for the reopening of our cinemas.

Universal’s move is completely inappropriate and certainly has nothing to do with good faith business practice, partnership and transparency.

Mooky Greidinger, Cineworld’s CEO approached Brian Roberts, the Chairman of Comcast, back on the 19th of March (after Universal announced that Trolls 2 would be released in breach of the window) and told him among other things that:

“Nice words from your team are worthless if we cannot trust you as a partner. The message that the media has portrayed is: “Hollywood breaks the window” – well, this is not true! All our partners called us in a timely manner and told us that in the current situation they want to shorten the window for movies that were already released as cinemas are closing, most importantly, they all reassured us that there will be no change to their window policy once the cinema business returned. Unfortunately I missed a similar message in Universal’s announcement… not only did Universal provide no commitment for the future window – but Universal was the ONLY studio that tried to take advantage of the current crisis and provide a ‘day-and-date’ release of a movie that was not yet released.”

Cineworld’s roots go back 90 years in the industry and it was always open to showing any movie as long as the rules were kept and not changed by one-sided moves. Today we make it clear again that we will not be showing movies that fail to respect the windows as it does not make any economic sense for us.

We have full confidence in the industry’s current business model. No one should forget that the theatrical side of this industry generated an all-time record income of $42 billion last year and the movie distributors’ share of this was about $20 billion.

About Cineworld:
Cineworld aims to be the best place to watch a movie, offering an unparalleled cinema experience in the UK & Ireland, with 102 cinemas and over 1,030 screens. Cineworld Group was founded in 1995 and is currently the second largest cinema chain in the world following the acquisition of US cinema group Regal Entertainment Group in February 2018. In 2014, the Cineworld Group combined with Cinema City International (CCI) and appointed CCI Founder and CEO Mooky Greidinger, as CEO of the Cineworld Group. In August 2016 Cineworld acquired 5 Empire Cinemas, including the iconic Empire Theatre in Leicester Square. This was followed by the acquisition of Empire Newcastle in 2017. Cineworld currently has 24 IMAX® auditoriums, and 15 Superscreens nationwide, as well as a special VIP experience currently available at 5 of their cinemas. Cineworld are the only operators in the UK to offer ScreenX – a 270-degree format that projects onto the front and side walls of the theatre across 16 auditoriums and 4DX – the immersive multi-sensory cinema experience, with 30 auditoriums across the UK and Ireland, including Cineworld Leicester Square.

About Regal:
Regal, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group, operates one of the largest and most geographically diverse theatre circuits in the United States, consisting of 7,155 screens in 542 theatres in 42 states along with the District of Columbia and Guam as of March 31, 2020. We believe that the size, reach and quality of the company’s theatre circuit provides its patrons with a convenient and enjoyable moviegoing experience. We are committed to being “The Best Place to Watch a Movie!” Additional information is available on Regal’s website: www.REGmovies.com

Alamo Drafthouse Lower Manhattan and Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles are opening in 2019

September 6, 2018

Alamo Drafthouse at The Bloc in Los Angeles (Rendering by Studio One Eleven)

The following is a press release from Alamo Drafthouse:

After years of anticipation, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is proud to announce that construction is underway on Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles, and that the company will break ground next month on their first location in Manhattan. Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles is an 11-screen theater located in downtown urban center The Bloc, and is set to open in the second quarter of 2019. Alamo Drafthouse Lower Manhattan is a 12-screen location in the Financial District at 28 Liberty, and is expected to open in the third quarter of 2019.

“Independent releases make it or break it on opening weekend in New York and Los Angeles,” says Alamo Drafthouse Cinema founder Tim League. “We are extremely excited to be able to meaningfully support a wide array of amazing independent films in these two important cities.”

Like in all the company’s nearly 40 locations, Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles and Lower Manhattan will feature a diverse mix of blockbusters, indies, documentaries, foreign language films, repertory classics, and unique special events. Both theaters will feature 4K Barco laser projection, immersive surround sound, and luxury recliners in all auditoriums. Continuing the company’s commitment to preserving 35mm, both theaters will feature 35mm changeover projection, so that both classic films and new releases can be experienced in glorious celluloid.

Each of the new locations will also include local branches of Video Vortex, a bar concept that debuted earlier this year in Raleigh, North Carolina. First and foremost, Video Vortex is a neighborhood video store that features thousands of DVDs, Blu-rays, and even select VHS (along with rentable VHS players) curated by Alamo Drafthouse staff and the American Genre Film Archive. But unlike a traditional video store, rentals at both Video Vortex locations will be… free.

“So much of film history is not available on streaming platforms,” says Kat Shuchter, Video Vortex manager. “We want to make our curated archive of film classics and obscurities available for the next generation of cinephiles.”

Alamo Drafthouse Downtown at The Bloc in Los Angeles (Rendering by Studio One Eleven)

In addition to movie rentals, Video Vortex is a full-service bar featuring craft cocktails, wine, and 48 local beers on tap. Video Vortex will also sell board games, collectibles, movies, and apparel from Mondo and other brands.

“After the successful release of The Thing: Infection at Outpost 31 last year, Mondo has built a great team to develop a wide array of new strategic tabletop games,” says Mondo Creative Director Jay Shaw. “We are obsessed with gaming and want Video Vortex to be a home for enthusiasts and new players alike.”

The bar will feature board game nights, trivia nights hosted by Birth.Movies.Death., and other live entertainment. Video Vortex will also display a dizzying array of vintage Sixties and Seventies-era French and Italian film posters courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive. The Video Vortex concept debuted earlier this year at the new Alamo Drafthouse location in Raleigh, NC. For more details, visit videovortexbar.com.

The Los Angeles theater is now hiring for a general manager, head chef, marketing manager, and creative manager. The New York theater will soon be hiring for similar positions. As it nears its opening date, each theater will be hiring for approximately 175 additional positions. To apply or to learn more, please visit drafthouse.com/careers.

Founded in 1997, Alamo Drafthouse has been heralded for unique programming events and high exhibition standards, earning accolades including “Best Theater Ever” (Time Magazine) and “The Coolest Theater in the World” (Wired). Alamo Drafthouse provides a unique combination of theater and restaurant, showing first-run movies, independent films, and special events with an extensive menu made from scratch. Guests order all food and drinks from servers who quietly attend to them throughout the movie from inside the theater.

Patrons are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the pre-show entertainment. Instead of a barrage of advertising, Alamo Drafthouse shows a curated collection of rare and humorous clips themed to each feature. Additionally, Alamo Drafthouse protects the theatrical experience with a zero-tolerance policy for people who disrupt the film with talking or texting. Alamo Drafthouse was featured on global news for a viral “Don’t Talk” PSA that used a humorously misguided voicemail from an actual patron who was ejected for texting during the film. The full story on the long tradition of Alamo Drafthouse’s no talking/texting policy can be found here.

For developments on Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles or Manhattan, visit drafthouse.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sign up for our email updates via the Alamo Victory loyalty program at drafthouse.com/victory to be entered to win a year of free movies and to get an exclusive invite to the grand openings next year.

Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/drafthousela

Twitter: twitter.com/drafthousela

Instagram: instagram.com/drafthousela

Website: drafthouse.com/los-angeles

Alamo Drafthouse NYC social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/alamonyc

Twitter: twitter.com/alamonyc

Instagram: instagram.com/alamonyc

Website: drafthouse.com/nyc

Alamo Drafthouse corporate social media:

Facebook: facebook.com/AlamoDrafthouse

Twitter: twitter.com/alamodrafthouse

YouTube: youtube.com/alamodrafthouse

Instagram: instagram.com/drafthouse

Website: drafthouse.com

About Alamo Drafthouse

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was founded in 1997 as a single-screen mom and pop repertory theater in Austin, TX. Twenty-one years later, with 36 locations and counting, Alamo Drafthouse has been called “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired. Alamo Drafthouse has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the moviegoing experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star-studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of genre cinema from independents, international filmmakers, and major Hollywood studios. Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek, and Universal Monsters. Alamo Drafthouse continues to expand its brand in new and exciting ways, including Birth.Movies.Death., an entertainment content platform for movie lovers, and the American Genre Film Archive, a non-profit film archive dedicated to preserving, restoring, and sharing film.

Alamo Drafthouse celebrates National Dog Day by bringing back ‘Isle of Dogs’ with previously unseen footage

August 9, 2018

A still from "Isle of Dogs" (Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures) — A still from “Isle of Dogs” (Image courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Alamo Drafthouse is going to the (isle of) dogs.

On August 26, 2018, 25 Alamo Drafthouse theaters will celebrate National Dog Day with special encore presentations of Fox Searchlight’s 2018 stop-motion insta-classic “Isle of Dogs.” The screenings will be followed by a conversation recorded exclusively for this event between visionary writer/director Wes Anderson and “Isle” co-star Bob Balaban.

Tickets are on sale now for screenings at Alamo Drafthouse locations across the country. Ten percent of all ticket sales for this event will be donated to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®), a national non-profit organization that has advocated for animal welfare since 1866. For purchases made on drafthouse.com or through the Alamo Drafthouse app, guests will be able to make additional donations to ASPCA.

“What a combination: the ASPCA, Alamo Drafthouse, and Mr. Bob Balaban,” says Wes Anderson. “I leapt at the chance to be a part of this little shindig and share our movie during its last days on the big screen.”

Fans will get an exclusive insight into Anderson’s process and discover behind-the-scenes details in a freewheeling cross-continental conversation between the director and Balaban that’s set to be recorded in late August.

“This year ‘Isle of Dogs’ had one of the most successful Alamo Drafthouse runs ever,” says Tim League, Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO. “So we’re honored to work with Wes and Bob to be able to make this event happen, and benefit the work of the fine people at the ASPCA.”

“We’re pleased to partner with Alamo Drafthouse on this National Dog Day project that celebrates the special bond between people and animals,” said Christina Wyman, Senior Director, ASPCA Cause Partnerships. “All animals deserve strong voices to represent them, whether that voice comes from famous actors in a movie or average people committed to animal welfare in the real world.”

“Isle of Dogs” with Wes Anderson Event Details

Menu specials
By popular demand, select Alamo Drafthouse locations will be bringing back popular drink menu items from the original run of “Isle of Dogs” like the beloved Trash Island Shake, featuring rich vanilla ice cream, a sweet ‘n salty ‘n frosty mix of peanuts, chocolate chip cookies, caramel, popcorn, Oreos, and Cocoa Puffs.

Special giveaways
Each Alamo Drafthouse location will give away a rare set of finely-detailed “Isle of Dogs” figures to one lucky audience member. Each set of these highly-coveted collectibles (that aren’t available in stores) features the five main dogs and the main character, Atari.

Locations
Tickets are on sale right now at the following participating Alamo Drafthouse locations at drafthouse.com/show/national-dog-day-isle-of-dogs or via the Alamo Drafthouse app on iOS and Android.

About “Isle of Dogs”
Visionary director Wes Anderson’s “Isle of Dogs” tells the story of Atari Kobayashi, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to vast Trash Island, Atari sets off in search of his bodyguard dog, Spots. With the assistance of his newfound mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture. The film features an all-star cast voicing the dog and human characters including Bryan Cranston, Koyu Rankin, Edward Norton, Bob Balaban, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Kunichi Nomura, Akira Takayama, Greta Gerwig, Frances McDormand, Akira Ito, Scarlett Johansson, Harvey Keitel, F. Murray Abraham, Yoko Ono, Tilda Swinton, Ken Watanabe, Mari Natsuki, Fisher Stevens, Nijiro Murakami, Liev Schreiber, and Courtney B. Vance.

Fans can add “Isle of Dogs” to their digital collection on Movies Anywhere or purchase the Blu-ray and DVD, available in stores now.

Alamo Drafthouse links
Facebook facebook.com/AlamoDrafthouse
Twitter twitter.com/alamodrafthouse
YouTube youtube.com/alamodrafthouse
Instagram instagram.com/drafthouse
Website drafthouse.com

About Alamo Drafthouse
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema was founded in 1997 as a single-screen mom and pop repertory theater in Austin, TX. Twenty-one years later, with 36 locations and counting, Alamo Drafthouse has been called “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired. Alamo Drafthouse has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star-studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of genre cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. Alamo Drafthouse continues to expand its brand in new and exciting ways, including Birth.Movies.Death., an entertainment content platform for movie lovers, and the American Genre Film Archive, a non-profit film archive dedicated to preserving, restoring and sharing film.

Alamo Drafthouse to open at The Bloc in Los Angeles in 2018

June 8, 2017

The following is a press release from Alamo Drafthouse:

The Ratkovich Company, in partnership with National Real Estate Advisors, Blue Vista Capital Management, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema today announced the Austin-based theater chain will open its first Los Angeles theater at The Bloc, a 1.8 million-square-foot mixed-use destination at the hub of the city’s retail, entertainment, financial, and sports center. Alamo Drafthouse Downtown is slated to open in 2018 as The Bloc completes its $180 million renovations bringing a vibrant, open-air, pedestrian-friendly, urban destination to Downtown Los Angeles.

“When we announced seven years ago that we would be embarking upon a plan of nationwide expansion, my primary goal was to open a theater in Los Angeles,” says Alamo Drafthouse Cinema founder and CEO Tim League. “After many years of exhaustive searching and planning, we feel we have found the perfect home at The Bloc. Building a new audience for foreign language films, documentaries and independent movies is core to the Alamo brand, and this flagship theater will be ground zero for that effort.”

“Alamo Drafthouse is the perfect addition to The Bloc and to Downtown LA’s rapidly growing food and entertainment scene. It brings a fresh and unique take on the traditional movie-watching experience and will be a great compliment to the other retailers at The Bloc. The Bloc is a gathering place for all Angelenos, making it the place to be in Downtown LA.” said Wayne Ratkovich founder and president of The Ratkovich Company.

Alamo Drafthouse provides a unique cinematic experience with in-theater dining underpinning a heavily curated program of hand-picked blockbusters, highest-quality independent, foreign and documentary features and special event programming. It’s food and beverage offering is equally deliberate with a full menu offering food made from scratch and a heavy dose of the best local craft beers and cocktails. Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will be located on the second and third floors of the southwest corner of The Bloc, accessible from the Flower Street mid-block crossing and the fourth floor of the parking structure.

Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will have 12 screens and seat approximately 560 people for new release movies, independent, foreign and classic films, as well as an exhaustive slate of the Alamo’s unique signature event programming. Each of the auditoriums will be equipped with state of the art 4K digital projection and amazing sound. In addition to providing superior presentation, the Alamo eliminates the traditional front rows to ensure there’s no bad seat in the house. The theater will also be equipped for 3D and archival 35mm projection.

In keeping with Alamo Drafthouse’s commitment to providing the best in-theater dining experience, the downtown LA destination will feature locally inspired and sourced food and drink. Moviegoers can order food and drinks from their seats while servers silently attend to them throughout the film. In addition to the twelve theaters, an adjoining bar will give fans the opportunity to discuss films over a plethora of local craft beers and cocktails.

Accessibility and integration with the city at large continues to be a priority for The Bloc and Alamo Drafthouse. Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will be conveniently accessed via the Blue, Expo, Purple and Red lines at the 7th Street Metro Center Station. Current Metro expansion connects Alamo Drafthouse Downtown to Santa Monica, Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley. The theater will offer four hours of free validated parking..

By delivering the best films, food and drinks, exceptional presentation, strict ad-free and no talking/no texting policies, Alamo Drafthouse strives to live up to Time Magazine’s claim of being the “Best Theater Ever.”

UPDATE: Alamo Drafthouse Los Angeles is now expected to open in 2019.

Regal Entertainment Group offers ‘Wonder Woman’ Ultimate Ticket

April 27, 2017

Regal Entertainment Group’s “Wonder Woman” Ultimate Ticket (Photo courtesy of Regal Entertainment Group)

The following is a press release from Regal Entertainment Group:

Regal Entertainment Group, a leading motion picture exhibitor owning and operating one of the largest theatre circuits in the United States, today announces the Regal Ultimate Ticket for the Super Hero action adventure “Wonder Woman,” starring Gal Gadot in the lead role. This exclusive offer through Regal allows its owner to see “Wonder Woman” every day while the movie is in theatres. Only 1,000 of these Ultimate Tickets are available, so purchase yours today. “Wonder Woman,” directed by Patty Jenkins and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, will be released in theatres on June 2.

“Wonder Woman is one of the cornerstones of the comic book industry and of DC’s extensive stable of heroes, with a rich history that spans over 75 years,” said Chris Sylvia, Vice President of Media for Regal Entertainment Group. “As a solo ‘Wonder Woman’ film hits the big screen for the first time, we wanted to give her fans the opportunity to see the movie every day with our latest Ultimate Ticket.”

Guests can purchase the Regal exclusive collectible ticket, featuring Wonder Woman’s world famous double ‘W’ logo laser cut and etched into textured anodized steel, for $100 while supplies last. Each card is personalized with the cardholder’s name inscribed permanently on the back. The Regal Ultimate Ticket will only be available for sale online at www.regmovies.com/WonderWomanUltimateTicket.

Regal fans are encouraged to like Regal Cinemas’ Facebook page and download the Regal Movies app. Moviegoers can program their favorite theatre and purchase tickets all from their mobile device. The Regal app also gives patrons the ability to join the Regal Crown Club card straight to their phone for easy access while on-the-go. Through the industry-leading Regal Crown Club, approximately 12 million active members each year accumulate credits at the box office and concession stand to earn rewards including free popcorn, soft drinks and movies. Free membership is also available at the box office or online at http://www.regmovies.com/Crown-Club.

2017 CinemaCon: What to expect at this year’s event

March 19, 2017

by Carla Hay

CinemaCon, the annual convention for the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), will be held March 27-30, 2017 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. About 5,000 people attend the event, which gives movie studios the chance to showcase what they expect to be their biggest hits of the year.

Movie studios scheduled to give their presentations at the event are Sony Pictures Entertainment on March 27; STX Films, Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures on March 28; Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Warner Bros. Pictures on March 29; Universal Pictures, Amazon Studios and Lionsgate on March 30. Although most of the presentations only include clips and trailers, a few movies will be screened in advance in their entirety. Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” and Lionsgate’s “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.”

CinemaCon culminates with the CinemaCon Big Screen Achievement Awards ceremony, which will take place March 30.

Here are the announced winners of the awards:

Cinema Icon Award
Goldie Hawn

In a career spanning more than 50 years, Goldie Hawn has won an Oscar (for 1969’s “Cactus Flower”) and starred in such hits as 1980’s “Private Benjamin,” 1987’s “Overboard” and 1996’s “The First Wives Club”. In 2017, she returns to the big screen after a 15-year hiatus by co-starring with Amy Schumer in the comedy “Snatched.”

CinemaCon Vanguard Award
Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek, who received an Oscar nomination for starring as artist Frida Khalo in the 2002 biopic “Frida,” has appeared in a number of hit movies, including 2010’s “Grown Ups,” 2013’s “Grown Ups 2” and 2011’s “Puss in Boots.” She has four movies lined up for release in 2017: “Beatriz at Dinner,” “Drunk Parents,” “How to Be a Latin Lover” and “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.”

Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film
Naomi Watts

Nominated twice for an Oscar (for 2003’s “21 Grams” and 2013’s “The Impossible”), Naomi Watts has starred in practically every movie genre, including the blockbusters “King Kong” (2005) and “The Ring” (2002). In the past 10 years, she has received acclaim for her roles in the Oscar-winning movie “Birdman” (2014), “Mother and Child” (2009) and “Eastern Promises” (2007).

CinemaCon Male Star of the Year
Charlie Hunnam

Charlie Hunnam, one of the stars of the FX TV series “Sons of Anarchy,” has headlined the 2013 action flick “Pacific Rim.” In 2017, he stars in “The Lost City of Z” and “King Arthur.”

CinemaCon Female Star of the Year
Jessica Chastain

Jessica Chastain has received Oscar nominations for her roles in 2011’s “The Help” and 2012’s “Zero Dark Thirty.” Her other big hits include 2014’s “Interstellar” and 2015’s “The Martian.” In 2017, her movies are “The Zookeeper’s Wife,” “Woman Walks Ahead” and “Molly’s Game.”

CinemaCon Director of the Year
Jordan Peele

Jordan Peele rose to fame as part of the Emmy-winning comedy duo Key & Peele (with Keegan-Michael Key), who co-starred in an eponymous TV series and the 2016 film “Keanu.” Peele wrote, directed and was one of the producers of the 2017 horror thriller “Get Out,” his directorial debut. With the smash success of “Get Out,” Peele became the first African-American director to have his directorial debut gross more than $100 million at the U.S. box office.

CinemaCon Action Star of the Year
John Cena

Although John Cena has had well-received supporting roles in the 2015 hit comedies “Trainwreck,” “Sisters” and “Daddy’s Home,” his WWE background paved the way for him to star in mostly action flicks. In 2017, he stars in “The Wall,” a war drama co-starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson.

CinemaCon Male Star of Tomorrow Award
Ansel Elgort

Ansel Elgort is best known for starring in 2014’s “The Fault in Our Stars” and the “Divergent” series. In 2017, his movies include “Baby Driver,” “Jonathan,” “Billionaire Boys Club” and “November Criminals.”

CinemaCon Female Star of Tomorrow Award
Sofia Boutella

Sofia Boutella has had high-profile roles in 2015’s “Kingsman: The Secret Service” and 2016’s “Star Trek Beyond.” Her movies set for release in 2017 include “The Mummy” (starring Tom Cruise) and “Atomic Blonde” (starring Charlize Theron).

CinemaCon Breakthrough Performer of the Year
Brenton Thwaites

After starring in movies that failed to find a large audience (2014’s “The Giver,” 2014’s “Son of a Gun,” 2013’s “Oculus,”), Brenton Twaites is poised to have a major blockbuster breakthrough with 2017’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales,” starring Johnny Depp. Thwaites’ other movies releasing in 2017 are “Office Uprising” and “An Interview With God.”

March 24, 2017 UPDATE:

CinemaCon Rising Star of the Year
Isabela Moner

Isabella Moner (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

Isabela Moner is an actress and singer whose on-screen roles include starring in the Nickelodeon series “100 Things to Do Before High School” (from 2014 to 2016) and the 2016 feature film “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life.” In 2017, she is co-starring with Mark Walhberg in her biggest movie so far: the action sequel “Transformers: The Last Knight.” She also has a voice role in the 2017 animated film “The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature.”