National Cinema Day, an effort that started last year to get people back in movie theaters, is returning Sunday with a chance to see $4 movies in Illinois, including popular summer releases “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer” and others.
That represents a savings of more than half on a movie ticket, with prices averaging about $10.35, according to the National Cinema Foundation, which is sponsoring National Cinema Day. About 30,000 screens in 3,000 locations are participating, including these theater chains in Illinois:
- AMC Theatres
- Regal Movies
- ArcLight Cinemas
- Cinemark Theatres
Some cinema chains, including AMC Theatres and Regal Movies, are offering free popcorn or other specials.
Besides summer hits, which also include “Mission Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One” and “Blue Beetle,” discounted tickets are available for new films opening this weekend, including “Gran Turismo,” “Golda,” “The Hill,” “Retribution” and “Bottoms.”
The $4 tickets also are good for family hits, including “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.”
This is the second year for National Cinema Day, which is organized by the National Cinema Foundation, a non-profit affiliate of the National Association of Theater Owners. Last year, more than 8 million people took part in the end-of-the-summer event.
Last year’s celebration brought more than 8 million people into theaters across the country and grossed over $24 million, making it one of the best attended days at the movies in 2022, according to the Cinema Foundation.
