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January 12, 2024

The Cinema Foundation Announces National Popcorn Day, with Major Discounts on Movie Concessions, Arriving at a Theatre Near You on January 19th

National Popcorn Day Celebrates the Joy of the Favorite Movie Snack with Discounted Pricing at Participating Theatres

LOS ANGELES – January 12, 2024 – The Cinema Foundation, in partnership with Fandango, announced the arrival of National Popcorn Day, coming to a theatre near you on Friday, January 19th. This beloved date celebrates the joy of snacking America’s favorite concession at theatres with discounted concession prices, unlimited popcorn refills, free popcorn with the purchase of a drink and other special promotions at participating U.S. theatres. To find participating theatres and their individual offers, visit your local movie theatre’s website or app or visit Fandango.

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. New movies playing in theatres include Mean Girls (Angourie Rice, Reneé Rapp), The Beekeeper (Jason Statham), Ava DuVernay’s Origin (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor), Blumhouse’s Night Swim (Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon), The Book of Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield), I.S.S. (Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina), the theatrical re-releases of Christopher Nolan’s Golden Globe Award-Winning Oppenheimer, Pixar’s Soul, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, plus recent holiday releases like Wonka, The Color Purple, Migration, Hollywood’s top awards season contenders, and so much more.

“Popcorn at the movies was first introduced 95 years ago, and it’s been an inseparable part of the moviegoing experience ever since,” says Bryan Braunlich, Executive Director of The Cinema Foundation. “National Popcorn Day will bring together millions of film fans of all ages to watch new movies on the big screen while enjoying their favorite theatre snacks at discounted prices.”

“We are excited to continue to partner with The Cinema Foundation to celebrate National Popcorn Day in theatres nationwide,” said Jerramy Hainline, EVP of Fandango. “The moviegoing experience is where people connect, emotions flow freely, and on January 19^thfans can experience the magic of the big screen with their favorite movie snacks in hand at a discounted price.”

According to the National Association of Concessionaires:

• Popcorn is American moviegoers’ favorite snack food.

• Popcorn represents more than 60% of snack food sales at the nation’s theatres. • 4.5 billion quarts of popcorn are consumed at U.S. movie theatres and other live venues every year.

According to a Fandango survey of more than 6,000 moviegoers:

• 94% purchased concessions during their trips to theatres.

• 88% said they order popcorn regularly.

Popcorn historian Andrew F. Smith, author of “Popped Culture,” estimates that popcorn was introduced at movie theatres in 1929 around the advent of talking pictures.

For more details, visit 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 promoting and enhancing the cinema exhibition industry through activities such as training and education, career development, diversity, and inclusion, moviegoing promotion, and data and research efforts.

Since March 2022, the Cinema Foundation’s mission has been dedicated to shaping the future of the great collective experience of moviegoing and the cinema industry. It works to support and impact 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 the National Association of Theatre Owners’ mission and relationships and expands Cinema United’s impact in ways that help individual employees, companies and the industry as a whole. For more info, visit www.thecinemafoundation.org.

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 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.

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CONTACT

Phil Contrino
Director of Media & Research, Cinema United
610-844-2459
prc@natodc.com

Harry Medved
Media Relations, Cinema United/The Cinema Foundation
310-200-1201
harry@thecinemafoundation.org

December 13, 2023

Cinema United Applauds 2023 National Film Registry Selections

25 Films Chosen for Recognition and Preservation by the Library of Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – December 13, 2023 – The National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United) today applauded the induction of 25 films into the National Film Registry, overseen by the Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. Created by Congress, the National Film Registry highlights America’s movie heritage, and the need to preserve film for future generations.

Each year, films are selected based on their cultural, historic and/or aesthetic and artistic importance, and must be at least ten years old. This year’s selection of 25 films brings the number of titles in the registry to 875 and are among the 2 million moving images in the Library’s collections. Cinema United is represented on the Library’s National Film Preservation Board by Joseph Masher, Cinema United Board Member and CEO of New York’s BTM Cinemas, and Michael O’Leary, Cinema United President & CEO.

“Preserving films is like safeguarding the memories of our cultural evolution,” said Masher. “This registry ensures that the art of storytelling through cinema endures for generations to come.”

“For more than a century, movies have shaped the American experience, with cinemas playing a vital role in our communities and cultural landscape,” said O’Leary. “On behalf of theatre owners the world over, we applaud the Library’s important work in recognizing and preserving these special works so that moviegoers can continue to discover classic films on the big screen.”

This year’s newly announced National Film Registry list showcases a diverse collection of films dating back more than 100 years ago.

Films Selected for the 2023 National Film Registry

(chronological order)

• A Movie Trip Through Filmland (1921)

• Dinner at Eight (1933)

• Bohulano Family Film Collection (1950s-1970s)

• Helen Keller: In Her Story (1954)

• Lady and the Tramp (1955)

• Edge of the City (1957)

• We’re Alive (1974)

• Cruisin’ J-Town (1975)

• ¡Alambrista! (1977)

• Passing Through (1977)

• Fame (1980)

• Desperately Seeking Susan (1985)

• The Lighted Field (1987)

• Matewan (1987)

• Home Alone (1990)

• Queen of Diamonds (1991)

• Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)

• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

• The Wedding Banquet (1993)

• Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994)

• Apollo 13 (1995)

• Bamboozled (2000)

• Love & Basketball (2000)

• 12 Years a Slave (2013)

• 20 Feet from Stardom (2013)

Public Nominations for the National Film Registry

In addition to recommendations made by the Library’s National Film Preservation Board, the public submitted 6,875 titles for consideration this year. Several titles selected this year drew significant support, including “Home Alone” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” The public can submit nominations throughout the year on the Library of Congress’ website. Nominations for next year’s list will be accepted until Aug. 15, 2024. To nominate for the 2024 Registry, visit www.loc.gov/film.

You can read more about the films selected in the official announcement and the Library of Congress on social media platforms at @librarycongress.

ABOUT Cinema United

The National Association of Theatre Owners is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 34,000 movie screens in all 50 states, and more than 28,000 additional screens in 88 countries worldwide. For more info, visit www.natoonline.org.

CONTACT

Phil Contrino
Director of Media & Research, Cinema United
610-844-2459

Harry Medved
Media Relations Advisor, Cinema United
310-200-1201

November 29, 2023

Classic Cinemas’ Chris Johnson to Receive 2024 Cinema United Marquee Award at CinemaCon 2024

The National Association of Theatre Owners (Cinema United) will honor Chris Johnson, the chief executive officer of Classic Cinemas, with the 2024 Cinema United Marquee Award during next year’s CinemaCon. The announcement came today from Mitch Neuhauser, the managing director of CinemaCon.

CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, will be held April 8th-11th, 2024 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Johnson is being recognized by Cinema United for his unequaled dedication, commitment, and service to the motion picture theater industry. He will receive the industry’s highest tribute as part of CinemaCon’s State of the Industry program on Tuesday, April 9th.

Johnson currently serves as the chief executive officer of the family-run Classic Cinemas, where he began his career at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove, IL. While earning his BA from the University of Illinois and his MBA from the University of Chicago, Johnson took on various roles in the company, from usher to assistant manager, manager, concessions manager, and operations manager, before ultimately being named vice president in 1992 and CEO in 2014.

Founded in 1978 by the Johnson family, Classic Cinemas is the largest Illinois-based theater chain with 137 screens in 16 locations. Many of Classic Cinemas’ locations are historic downtown theaters, having undergone renovations that honor the buildings’ character while seamlessly integrating the latest technology.

In addition to serving as the President of Cinema United Illinois, Johnson also currently serves on Cinema United’s executive board, technology committee, regional restructuring task force, bylaws committee and is the former chair of the strategic planning committee. Most recently, in honor of the history of Classic Cinemas, Johnson was inducted into The Erik Lomis ShowEast Hall of Fame Class of 2023 along with his mother Shirley and his late father Willis, who passed away this past August.

“Chris Johnson embodies everything that is great about the exhibition industry,” said Cinema United’s chief executive officer Michael O’Leary. “Proudly carrying on the tradition of his family, Chris is a leader in our industry. Always focused on what the movie going public wants, Chris is smart, innovative, and passionate about movies on the big screen. His voice is respected by his colleagues in exhibition and the motion picture industry overall. I always value his perspective and can think of no one more deserving of this honor. Congratulations to Chris and his family.”

When told he would be receiving this honor, Johnson remarked, “I love this industry, and I’m humbled to be selected for this prestigious award.” Johnson has dedicated the past 40+ years to exhibition, from his first movie as a teenage usher (Star Trek: The Motion Picture) to CEO. His hands-on approach includes a willingness to listen, ask questions, and respectfully share his opinion for the betterment of the industry. “My goal is to elevate moviegoing and the cinema business for everyone.”