National Cinema Day returns for 2023 with $4 movie tickets at AMC, Regal, other theaters

Missed out on the summer movies? Or want to rewatch your favorite one? You're in luck because it's National Cinema Day this Sunday, Aug. 27, and most theaters across the country are offering tickets for only $4.

"Building on the unprecedented success of last year’s inaugural National Cinema Day, the Cinema Foundation is calling on film fans across the country to gather for a national day to celebrate the magic of the movies on the big screen," said the National Cinema Foundation in a statement.

"The second annual National Cinema Day celebrates the power of movies to bring us all together, and discounted admissions for all movies at participating U.S. theaters in all formats (including Premium Large Format screens) will be no more than $4."

How many movie theaters will be part of National Cinema Day?

Approximately 30,000 screens across 3,000 locations are expected to take part in the one-day event, according to The Cinema Foundation, the non-profit organizing the event. Popular cinema chains, including AMC Theatres and Regal Movies, have also announced their participation in the event and are even offering discounted popcorn.

To buy tickets or see a list of participating theaters, visit NationalCinemaDay.org, Fandango or your local movie theater’s website or app.

What movies will be shown in cinemas?

Summer hits including "Barbie," "Oppenheimer," "Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One" and "Blue Beetle" are on the menu as well as new films opening this weekend like "Gran Turismo," "Golda," "The Hill," "Retribution" and "Bottoms".

Recent family hits like "The Super Mario Bros. Movie" and Disney’s "The Little Mermaid Sing-Along", and classic re-releases like "Jurassic Park (3D)," "American Graffiti," "Lady Bird" and "Oldboy" are also part of the lineup. The $4 ticket will apply to all movies, screens and formats.

The event will also feature independent films and exclusive new content that can only be seen in theaters. A sneak peek of anticipated autumn releases is also expected to play before each screening.

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Does National Cinema Day happen every year?

This is the second consecutive year theaters are celebrating National Cinema Day at the end of the summer and for good reason, given last year's roaring success. More than 8 million moviegoers were part of last year’s inaugural National Cinema Day, organized by The Cinema Foundation, a non-profit affiliate of the National Association of Theater Owners.

The one-day event, held at more than 3,000 participating locations with more than 30,000 screens, collected box office returns of $23.8 million dollars for the day – 8% more than the previous Saturday's sales – even with the discounted ticket price of $3, the theater group said.

This year's event is taking place on Sunday, instead of last year's Saturday, and ticket prices have increased a dollar. The average movie ticket in 2022 cost $10.53, according to the theater group.

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After last year’s National Cinema Day, in a Fandango consumer survey of more than 2,000 U.S. ticket buyers, participants noted the top five reasons they would likely buy tickets for the next National Cinema Day, including affordable pricing, ability to see a specific movie they’ve been wanting to see, time with loved ones, being a big fan of a particular movie franchise, and fun activity for their weekend plans.

“Movies have the power to bring us together to share in the joy, the thrill and the magic of a great story told on the big screen,” said Michael O’Leary, President & CEO of the theater-owners group. “National Cinema Day is a celebration of movie fandom and of the uniting role that movie theaters play in our communities.”

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What is The Cinema Foundation?

The Cinema Foundation is a non-profit, dedicated to promoting essential cinema exhibition industry by developing future diverse workforces and growing moviegoing communities through research, education, and philanthropy.

Since March 2022, the foundation is dedicated to shaping the future of the great collective experience of moviegoing and the cinema industry.