Nothing is more loved in Hollywood than an excellent sequel.
The National Association of Theatre Owners is reviving National Cinema Day in the wake of its enormous success last year, when $3 movie tickets attracted more than 8 million moviegoers to theatres.
On Sunday, August 27, more than 3,000 theatres will participate in this year’s National Cinema Day by inviting customers to see films. A 33% increase from last year, tickets will now cost $4, including for premium formats like IMAX and Dolby.
While Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick” was available to watch on a large screen for National Cinema Day last year, moviegoers will this year have the opportunity to see “Barbenheimer” on a budget.
The decision to hold a second National Cinema Day was taken just two days after the first one concluded, and it was evident that the national event was a success, according to Bryan Braunlich, executive director of the nonprofit Cinema Foundation, who speaks to CNBC Make It.
“We talked to our partners and I think there was an appetite to figure out what we can do again,” he says.
The goal of this year’s Cinema Day, according to Braunlich, is for people to simply enjoy their time at the movies, unlike last year’s event, which was partly planned to entice viewers back to theatres after a two-year absence due to pandemic shutdown.
“We have 30,000 screens and 3,000 locations across the United States. So I think most people’s hometown theater is going to be participating in National Cinema Day,” he says.
Braunlich continues by expressing his expectation that moviegoers will benefit from the lower prices on premium formats. For instance, tickets to see “Oppenheimer” in the 70-millimeter IMAX in New York City often cost $26.99. The National Cinema Day price is $4, which represents an 85% discount.
Braunlich recommends purchasing tickets in advance for moviegoers who wish to see a film in 4DX or another unique format.
“Last year, most of the tickets were bought day of,” he says. “And then people showed up and theaters were sold out, especially for those premium and large formats.”
Here is all the details you require on National Cinema Day.
What day is National Film Day?
On Sunday, August 27, there will be an all-day movie event.
Where do You go to purchase my $4 ticket?
The box office of your nearby theatre will have tickets. Participating national chains include AMC and Regal. for a complete list of movie theatres participating in National Cinema Day.
After taxes and any additional ticketing fees from third parties are deducted from the total, your ticket may end up costing a little bit more than $4.
What films are scheduled to be shown on National Cinema Day?
In addition to films like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “Barbie,” and “Oppenheimer,” which are now in theatres, this year’s festival will see the restricted re-release of a handful of classics. On the big screen, among others, audiences will be able to see “Jurassic Park,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Lady Bird.”
Visit the National Cinema Day website and type your city into the search box to see what films are playing in the local theatre.
Will National Cinema Day be back next year?
Braunlich adds that if the event this year is successful, National Cinema Day might become an annual event.
“If this continues every year, which we hope it will, the long term goal is to eventize it,” he says. “Make it less about the price and more like little Comic Cons in every city where you never know what celebrity is going to hop into your theater.”
