Category: Reel Blog

The Cinema Foundation Announces National Popcorn Day Offering Free Popcorn And Major Discounts On Movie Concessions At Movie Theatres Nationwide On January 19

Fandango Celebrates National Popcorn Day as Presenting Sponsor

The Cinema Foundation will kick off its new “@ The Movies” campaign with National Popcorn Day on Sunday, January 19th. National Popcorn Day is a nationwide celebration of America’s favorite movie snack, that will feature discounted prices, unlimited popcorn refills, free popcorn with the purchase of a ticket or drink and other unique promotions at participating U.S. theatres. Fandango, the nation’s leading online ticketing service, has joined the campaign for another year as its presenting sponsor. Coca-Cola has joined as a contributing partner.

“The Cinema Foundation is proud to announce our year-long celebration of cinema, commencing with National Popcorn Day on Sunday, January 19,” says Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The Cinema Foundation. “This Sunday is the perfect day to catch up on all the awards contenders, along with a slate of other entertaining titles, to celebrate the excitement of going to the movies with America’s favorite moviegoing snack.”

“We are thrilled to join The Cinema Foundation for another year to celebrate National Popcorn Day in theatres nationwide on January 19th,” said Jerramy Hainline, EVP of Fandango. “The theatrical experience is unmatched, and we love elevating audiences’ moviegoing experience by helping them enjoy their favorite movie snacks at a discounted price while watching incredible stories unfold on the big screen.”

More than 30,000 screens across the country will participate in the one-day event featuring discounts on popcorn, and other concessions only in theatres. To find participating theatres and their individual offers, visit AtTheMovies.co, your local movie theatre’s website or app or visit Fandango.

As part of its year-long “@ the Movies” campaign, the Cinema Foundation’s quarterly events to promote moviegoing include:

●      Q1 2025: National Popcorn Day (January 19)

●      Q2 2025: Sneak Peek Saturday–an exclusive look at upcoming films with behind-the-scenes cinematic content and sneak peeks following CinemaCon 2025. (April 19)

●      Q3 2025: Date Night @ The Movies (August 15)

●      Q4 2025: Family Day @ The Movies (November 9)

According to a Fandango study of more than 6,000 Moviegoers, 96% of general ticket buyers said they purchased concessions during their trip to the movies with Popcorn being one of the most popular items and 61% of participants saying they like to order a variety of concessions.

For more details on participating theatres and their individual offers, visit AtTheMovies.co, your local theatre site or app or Fandango.

ABOUT THE CINEMA FOUNDATION

The Cinema Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit dedicated to strengthening the cinema industry and engaging moviegoing audiences around the country. The Foundation promotes and enhances the exhibition industry through programming, events and activities, while spearheading the development of vital industry data, research and consumer insights, education and community involvement to advance the moviegoing experience.

Since March 2022, the Cinema Foundation’s mission has been dedicated to supporting and impacting the health of the cinema sector both in the short term and for years to come, while continuously expanding its contributions to the magic of moviegoing. The Cinema Foundation builds on NATO/National Association of Theatre Owners’ mission and relationships and expands NATO’s impact in ways that help individual employees, companies and the industry as a whole. For more info, visit www.thecinemafoundation.org.

ABOUT NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 46,000 screens total across 82 countries. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners. Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

ABOUT FANDANGO

Fandango digital network provides unrivaled, instant access to all things movies and TV, enhancing fan enjoyment across the entire entertainment journey. The portfolio serves more than 50 million unique visitors per month and includes leading online movie ticketer, Fandango, which tickets for 31,000 U.S. movie screens; world-renowned entertainment review site, Rotten Tomatoes; and Fandango at Home (previously Vudu), the on-demand streaming service offering the industry’s best selection of 4K UHD titles and more than 250,000 new release and catalogue movies and next day TV shows.

NATO Congratulates Wicked on Golden Globes Win for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement

Official statement from NATO President & CEO Michael O’Leary:

“On behalf of theatre owners everywhere, we congratulate Universal Pictures for being honored with the Golden Globe Award for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement for Wicked. As its director Jon M. Chu so elegantly said, seeing a movie on the big screen indeed is a collective experience that can change hearts and minds. Going to the theatre remains the premier global entertainment experience for fans of all ages, and the Golden Globes recognizes this through this award. There really is no experience like going to the movies!“

Bob Dylan & The Movies

Going to the cinema as a teenager had an enormous impact on Bob Dylan

From CBS Sunday Morning: The iconic Bob Dylan has long been a silver screen presence – as an actor, a subject of documentaries, and as portrayed by Hollywood heavyweights, from Christian Bale to Timothée Chalamet (star of the new biopic “A Complete Unknown”). But as historian Douglas Brinkley points out, Dylan’s love of movies has been a recurring theme in his art, and his persona, all his life.

NATO Releases “Strength of Theatrical Exhibition” Report Spotlighting A Bright 2025 At The Movies & Beyond

Data-Driven Report Looks Beyond the Box Office to the Health of the Movie Theatre Industry

LOS ANGELES, CA –  The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is shining a spotlight on cinema vitality with a new report focusing on five different metrics, outside of box office numbers that are available to gauge the overall strength of the global exhibition industry. The metrics include consumer enthusiasm, investment in the marketplace, loyalty growth, more movies in theaters, and a wider genre mix with something for everyone. The findings are promising for exhibitors, studios and film fans alike.

The NATO report provides a collection of industry data on the increase in premium screens, the increase in domestic releases, loyalty program subscribers, industry innovations and opportunities going forward.

Highlights of the new report include:

  1. 85% of moviegoers plan to go to the movies as often or more often than they did in the past year.
  2. 76% of Americans 12-74 saw at least one movie in the theater this year.
  3. Among 10-24 years, going to see a movie on opening weekend was the #1 preferred activity, regardless of time and money.
  4. Loyalty programs saw a 12% jump in new subscriptions from 2023 to 2024.

NATO Chief Michael O’Leary points out, “Perhaps like no other industry, each week, the success or failure of filmed entertainment is judged through the weekly box office. This legacy tradition, however, does not paint a full picture of the strength of the industry nor of exhibition. To gauge the true viability of theatrical exhibition, you must look beyond the weekly numbers. In this report, with the help of multiple research partners, we lay out five metrics for determining the strength of the exhibition industry that factor in tandem with the box office. Theatres are financial and cultural anchors of communities of all sizes, and as 2024 draws to a close, it is important to look deeper and consider other fundamentals that illustrate the strength and bright future of theatrical exhibition.”

Cinemark President & CEO Sean Gamble Honored by NATO as CinemaCon 2025 Marquee Award Recipient at Celebratory Breakfast

NATO Chief Michael O’Leary hosted in Los Angeles a special breakfast event on Thursday, Dec. 12, in celebration of CinemaCon 2025 Marquee Award honoree, Cinemark President and CEO Sean Gamble, where the two met with a room of journalists to talk about the strength of the industry, their vision for the future and the importance of maintaining a healthy pro-business, pro-consumer perspective that supports movie-going everywhere.

The event took place just prior to Variety’s 21st Annual Heart of Show Business Luncheon, where Cinemark’s Wanda Gierhart Fearing was honored, and where Cinemark and NATO staff joined industry colleagues to help celebrate the occasion.

CinemaCon Launches Ambassadorship in Brazil to Welcome New Exhibitor Partners in 2025

In advance of next year’s CinemaCon, the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), the trade show has partnered with Grupo Consciência, a prominent Brazilian technology company, on a new ambassadorship program aimed at enhancing its reach within the Brazilian market for CinemaCon 2025. This initiative underscores CinemaCon and NATO’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections with the international exhibition community, encouraging participation and driving growth among small to mid-sized theater owners in Brazil and beyond, many of whom have yet to attend the conference.

The partnership with Grupo Consciência will make it easier for this important segment of the exhibition community to engage with and benefit from the leading global trends and innovations showcased at CinemaCon, with discounted rates for participants of the program. The program reflects NATO’s shared ambition to advance not only the Brazilian film exhibition sector, but elsewhere internationally. CinemaCon offers unmatched opportunities to collaborate, innovate and drive cinema forward, with support from partners all over the world. CinemaCon runs from March 31-April 3 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

CinemaCon Welcomes Back the Major Studios and Their Film Slates to World’s Largest Theatrical Convention in 2025

Amazon MGM Studios Joins CinemaCon Main Stage Studio Presentations for the First Time; Sony Pictures Returns to the Colosseum  

(LOS ANGELES – December 12, 2024) CinemaCon®, the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), today announced that all of the major Hollywood studios will be on hand to showcase their upcoming theatrical slates when cinema owners gather next year at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas from March 31– April 3. Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures/Focus Features, The Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Pictures will all preview their upcoming theatrical releases, while for the first time, Amazon MGM Studios will join the CinemaCon main stage studio presentations at The Colosseum of Caesars Palace, with additional programming to be announced.

“We are thrilled and honored to welcome back all of our studio partners, with the addition of Amazon MGM Studios to this coming year’s CinemaCon line-up as a clear sign of support of the theatrical moviegoing business,” said NATO President and CEO Michael O’Leary. “This powerhouse line-up of the world’s greatest film-making studios speaks directly to the cultural and economic power of the cinema. Our friends in the studios know that movie fans want to see the magic they make on the big screen, and they also know that movies that start their journey in the theatre are more successful than those that do not. We applaud their commitment to theatrical exhibition and look forward to an amazing week seeing all the great stories they are bringing to movie fans in the year ahead.”

“We are grateful for the continued support from the studios, filmmakers and stars, vendors and of course our NATO members, the theatre owners,” says CinemaCon Managing Director Mitch Neuhauser. “We’ve got some exciting surprises and changes in store for next year’s CinemaCon and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Las Vegas.”

Registration is now live at www.cinemacon.com; CinemaCon 2025 Press Applications are now open and currently available at CinemaCon Media Accreditation.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of six thousand motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. CinemaCon works with the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its trade show partners. The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of movies – is the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon.

About NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners. Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at www.cinemacon.com.

The Cinema Foundation Announces “@ The Movies” Campaign

Year-Round Events and Quarterly Activations to Promote Moviegoing in 2025

LOS ANGELES – December 10, 2024 – On the heels of a record-breaking Thanksgiving at the box office, The Cinema Foundation, the non-profit organization from the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO), today announced an exciting series of year-round events to promote the moviegoing experience through 2025. Titled “@ The Movies,” the campaign is designed to resonate with a wide range of moviegoers and will commence with National Popcorn Day on January 19, 2025. Movie theatres across the country will offer unique promotions for each event.

As part of the campaign, which is presented by Fandango, The Cinema Foundation will work with theatres across the country to come up with a dynamic and engaging program of activities and events tied to the year-round series. Building on the success of previous events like National Cinema Day, these expanded events will include quarterly targeted campaigns, including a “Sneak Peek Saturday,” timed to CinemaCon, the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by NATO.

“The Cinema Foundation is committed to this year-long campaign by offering exhibitors opportunities to engage with their communities in fun and exciting ways,” says Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The Cinema Foundation. “This is the result of months of hard work and collaboration among our industry partners, and we cannot wait to invite moviegoers across the country to participate in what will be continued enjoyment at the movies.”

The Cinema Foundation’s four events, starting in 2025, are as follows:

  • Q1 2025: National Popcorn Day (January 19)
  • Q2 2025: Sneak Peek Saturday–an exclusive look at upcoming summer and holiday films with behind-the-scenes cinematic content and sneak peeks following CinemaCon 2025, shown in theaters nationwide for the first time. (April 19)
  • Q3 2025: Date Night @ The Movies (August 15)
  • Q4 2025: Family Day @ The Movies (November 9)

“Cinemas are an indispensable part of our culture. These celebrations emphasize the power of moviegoing to bring us all together to share and create long-lasting memories with our friends, families, and community,” says Mike Bowers, Chair of The Cinema Foundation.

ABOUT THE CINEMA FOUNDATION

The Cinema Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit dedicated to strengthening the cinema industry and engaging moviegoing audiences around the country. The Foundation promotes and enhances the exhibition industry through programming, events and activities, while spearheading the development of vital industry data, research and consumer insights, education and community involvement to advance the moviegoing experience.

Since March 2022, the Cinema Foundation’s mission has been dedicated to supporting and impacting the health of the cinema sector both in the short term and for years to come, while continuously expanding its contributions to the magic of moviegoing. The Cinema Foundation builds on NATO/National Association of Theatre Owners’ mission and relationships and expands NATO’s impact in ways that help individual employees, companies and the industry as a whole. For more info, visit www.thecinemafoundation.org.

ABOUT NATO

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners. Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at www.cinemacon.com

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Cinemark’s Sean Gamble To Receive 2025 NATO Marquee Award at CinemaCon

Annual Convention to Take Place March 31- April 3 in Las Vegas 

WASHINGTON D.C. (December 4, 2024) – The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) announced today it will honor Sean Gamble, President and CEO of Cinemark, with the 2025 NATO Marquee Award during next year’s CinemaCon, the world’s premier showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by NATO. Gamble is being recognized by NATO for his unwavering dedication, commitment, and service to the motion picture theatre industry. He will receive the industry’s highest tribute as part of CinemaCon’s “State of the Industry” program on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. CinemaCon will be held March 31-April 3, 2025, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

NATO President and CEO Michael O’Leary commented on the news saying: “Sean is the perfect choice for the NATO Marquee Award. He is a pro-business, pro-consumer leader and is highly respected across the entire industry for his incredible business acumen, with a deep understanding of studio and exhibitor relations. Sean is always looking to the future, and in working with his amazing team at Cinemark, is driving the next generation of theatrical innovation. This award recognizes that leadership and his commitment to making movie theatres the premier entertainment experience for generations to come.”

Gamble said: “I am deeply honored to receive the 2025 NATO Marquee Award. This recognition is a testament to the incredible dedication and hard work of our entire Cinemark team, both past and present. Together, we have embraced innovation, enhanced the moviegoing experience, and positioned our company for growth and success while navigating unprecedented challenges over the past few years. I am grateful to NATO for this prestigious award and remain confident that through our collaborative industry efforts cinemas will remain a preferred destination for premium out-of-home entertainment, bringing people together and enriching communities.”

Having served as President and CEO of Cinemark since January 2022, Gamble has provided steady leadership throughout multiple major company and industry developments, including the closure and reopening of Cinemark’s entire theatre circuit during the COVID pandemic, the evolution of the theatrical window, and a reduced volume of film releases caused by the pandemic and strike-induced production stoppages. Additionally, he has been a key driver of and contributor to the advancement of Cinemark’s global business operations, including the conversion to reclined seating, the expansion of premium technologies and food & beverage offerings, the ongoing enhancement of marketing and programming capabilities to increase moviegoing and loyalty, the introduction of the first U.S. exhibitor-owned monthly subscription program, and optimizing operating practices and workforce management processes, to name a few.

As an active member of NATO, Gamble is a well-known advocate of the theatrical experience by fostering and supporting strong relationships with historical and emerging studio partners to maximize box office for traditional and alternative content releases.

Prior to being named CEO, Gamble held multiple leadership roles of increasing responsibility within Cinemark, including CFO from 2014 to 2021, CFO and COO from 2018 to 2021, and President in 2021. Prior to joining Cinemark, he worked for the Comcast Corporation as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Universal Pictures within NBCUniversal from February 2009 to April 2014. He joined Comcast after 15 years at the General Electric Company where he held multiple senior leadership positions, including CFO of GE Oil & Gas’ equipment business based in Florence, Italy, from May 2007 to January 2009. Gamble is a Six Sigma Black Belt and avid champion of Cinemark’s continuous improvement programs, encouraging all team members to pursue strategic streamlining and business process improvements across the organization. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Bucknell University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and lives in Dallas, Texas with his wife and three daughters.

About CinemaCon

CinemaCon attracts upwards of 6,000 motion picture professionals from all facets of the industry – from exhibition and distribution to the equipment and concession areas – all on hand to celebrate the moviegoing experience and the cinema industry. CinemaCon works with the International Cinema Technology Association (ICTA) and National Association of Concessionaires (NAC) as its trade show partners. The Coca-Cola Company – one of the industry’s most highly regarded and respected partners in the world of movies – is the official presenting sponsor of CinemaCon.

About NATO 

The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 32,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 30,000 screens in 88 countries worldwide. NATO’s membership includes the largest cinema chains in the world as well as hundreds of independent theatre owners. Additional information about CinemaCon can be found at www.cinemacon.com.  

About Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) provides extraordinary out-of-home entertainment experiences as one of the largest and most influential theatrical exhibition companies in the world. Based in Plano, Texas, Cinemark makes every day cinematic for moviegoers across nearly 500 theatres and more than 5,500 screens, operating in 42 states in the U.S. (306 theatres; 4,282 screens) and 13 South and Central American countries (193 theatres; 1,398 screens). Cinemark offers guests superior sight and sound technology, including Barco laser projection and Cinemark XD, the world’s No. 1 exhibitor-branded premium large format; industry-leading penetration of upscale amenities such as expanded food and beverage offerings, Luxury Lounger recliners and D-BOX motion seats; top-notch guest service; and award-winning loyalty programs such as Cinemark Movie Club. All of this creates an immersive environment for a shared, entertaining escape, underscoring that there is no place more cinematic than Cinemark. For more information, visit https://ir.cinemark.com.

NATO in the News: Exhibitors Weigh In On Industry’s Surge

As 2024 begins to wind down, the exhibition industry is surging in a major way. Movie theatres around the world are packed with enthusiastic movie-goers, and the industry is showing yet again how culturally significant it is.

Below, we’ve included some of the press coverage focused on how exhibitors are being creative and innovative in order to give consumers a great experience.

The Thanksgiving stretch is delivering an unprecedented estimated $422M at the domestic box office.

AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron says that this weekend is “a national phenomenon” when it comes to moviegoing.

That Wednesday through Sunday tally for all movies breaks the previous Thanksgiving record for all titles from 2018 when Ralph Breaks the Internet drove the marketplace to a $315.6M total.

Distribution sources always felt we were in for an enormous moviegoing rebound in the post Covid-post strikes era fueled by the massive want-to-see of Disney’s Moana 2, and the second weekends of Universal’s Wicked and Paramount’s Gladiator 2. For those keeping track, the 10-day box office since Friday, Nov. 22 when Wicked and Gladiator 2 opened is bound to gross a huge $681.5M.

Bob Bagby, the chief executive officer the B&B Theatres chain and chairman of the National Association of Theatre Owners, said in an interview that a young family friend pledged to see Wicked in cinemas at least twice more.

“Our lobbies were full of guests in pink and green and of course a few dressed like gladiators, and this is just the beginning of a fantastic holiday season,” Bagby said.

FULL ARTICLE

Are ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ the next ‘Barbenheimer’? How movie theaters are making ‘Glicked’ a can’t-miss event.

Calling this movie pairing “the perfect storm to bring everyone out,” Mike Bowers, president and CEO of Harkins Theatres, told Yahoo Entertainment that the chain has been “eventizing movies” since its founding in 1933 — and plans to continue with “Glicked.” “Whether it’s specialty cocktails or, of course, the famous popcorn vessels and lobby interactions and such for the guests,” he explained, “it’s beyond going to the movies and going home. They get an opportunity for an Instagram moment and something that’s shareable.”

FULL ARTICLE

‘Wicked’ Seeing $117M Opening, ‘Gladiator II’ Still Conquering $60M — Saturday AM Box Office Update

Exhibitors are upping the out-of-home experience. B&B Theatres has Roman guards tearing tickets and serving Strength & Honor cocktails in celebration of Gladiator II. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is selling “Defying Gravi-Tea”, Witch’s Brew and throwing Emerald City soirees. Marcus Theatres has character appearances by Elphaba and Glinda, and pink and green ICEE’s.

FULL ARTICLE

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator’ set the stage for gravity-defying box office weekend

Exhibitors are joining in on the fun too. Look Cinemas — a dine-in theater chain with locations in Downey, Glendale, Monrovia and Redlands — has curated a special “Wickedator” menu with themed food and beverage items ranging from Arena Nachos (“Gladiator”) to Emerald City Sours (“Wicked”). James Meredith, head of marketing and revenue at Look Cinemas, said the company has been preparing for this weekend for months, reserving premium screening rooms for both films, hosting advance screenings as early as Wednesday and expanding its showtimes and hours of operation to meet consumer demand reminiscent of the “Barbenheimer” craze.

“Our guests want to come in and escape for a while and have a big event or celebration around some of these popular movies,” Meredith said. “These types of movies … remind customers of how special the moviegoing experience is.”

FULL ARTICLE