National Cinema Day is Sunday. Here's where you can see a movie for $4 in OKC
Whether you're a diehard cinephile or just looking for cheap entertainment, National Cinema Day is coming to a multiplex near you.
The second annual National Cinema Day is set for Sunday, Aug. 27, with thousands of movie theaters across the country offering tickets for only $4.
That goes for the newest releases, the summer's biggest blockbusters and buzzy independent films, and it includes all showtimes and formats, including premium large formats like IMAX.
Plus, several theater chains are adding extra butter to the National Cinema Day ticket discount with special one-day-only concession deals.
Here's what Oklahoma City area moviegoers need to know about National Cinema Day:
What is National Cinema Day?
National Cinema Day is organized by the Cinema Foundation, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Association of Theatre Owners.
“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 and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners, in a statement. “National Cinema Day is a celebration of movie fandom and of the uniting role that movie theaters play in our communities.”
More than 30,000 movie screens at 3,000 locations nationwide are expected to participate in the one-day event, according to a news release. That includes major theater chains like AMC and Regal.
“Following the rousing success of the first annual National Cinema Day, we welcome everyone to join us for the communal experience of one of America’s favorite pastimes: moviegoing,” said Jackie Brenneman, president of the Cinema Foundation, in a statement.
An estimated 8.1 million moviegoers bought $3 tickets on the inaugural National Cinema Day, which was Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, according to The Associated Press. It was the highest attendance day of the year for theaters.
This year, National Cinema Day is shifting from early September to late August and from a Saturday to a Sunday. The discounted tickets also cost $1 more than they did last year.
Which OKC area theaters are offering National Cinema Day deals?
Most of the major theater chains are selling $4 tickets Sunday for National Cinema Day, and several are offering special deals on popcorn and other concessions, too.
Here are some of the National Cinema Day deals offered at OKC area theaters:
AMC Theatres
Tickets are $4 all day Sunday, and small fountain drink and popcorn combos are $5.
OKC area locations: AMC Penn Square 10, AMC Quail Springs Mall 24, AMC Classic Crossroads 16, AMC Robinson Crossing 6 in Norman, AMC West Pointe 8 in Yukon and Cinema Centre 8 in Shawnee.
Regal
Tickets are $4 to all movies in all formats, with a special $4 small combo concession offer. Midnight showtimes are planned at some locations to allow moviegoers to take advantage of $4 tickets from the first minute of National Cinema Day.
OKC area locations: Regal Warren Moore and Regal Warren Midwest City.
Cinemark Theatres
Along with $4 tickets for every showing, moviegoers can take $1 off any size popcorn, soda or candy on Sunday.
OKC area location: Cinemark Tinseltown.
Harkins Theatres
Tickets are $4 all day long, and people who sign up for the free loyalty program My Harkins Awards also will receive $4 medium popcorn and $4 medium drinks on National Cinema Day.
OKC area location: Harkins Bricktown 16.
Flix Brewhouse
Along with $4 tickets for all showtimes, patrons can get $5 bottomless popcorn Sunday.
OKC area location: Flix Brewhouse Oklahoma City.
ShowBiz Cinemas
Along with $4 tickets, Sunday ticketholders can take advantage of $4 unlimited popcorn and $4 unlimited soda. Plus, ShowBiz Cinemas are offering a $10 food and beverage voucher with the purchase of a soda, popcorn or movie ticket on National Cinema Day. Limited to one voucher per transaction, per guest, the vouchers must be redeemed Sept. 5-30.
OKC area location: ShowBiz Cinemas Edmond.
Icon Cinemas
All tickets are $4, plus moviegoers can take advantage of free refills on drinks and popcorn.
OKC area locations: Icon Cinema OKC Windsor and Icon Cinema Edmond.
What's playing in movie theaters on National Cinema Day?
Film fans can find a wide variety of releases in theaters for National Cinema Day.
New movies opening this weekend include the fact-based racing flick "Gran Turismo," Liam Neeson's latest action vehicle "Retribution," the inspirational baseball drama "The Hill," the Golda Meir biopic "Golda" and the survival story "The Dive."
The summer smashes "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer," the new DC Comics adventure "Blue Beetle," the action-packed sequel "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One" and the sleeper hit "Sound of Freedom" will be playing at many OKC area theaters, too.
For family audiences, titles will include "The Super Mario Bros. Movie," "Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," "Haunted Mansion" and a sing-along version of Disney's live-action "The Little Mermaid."
Horror fans can seek out the supernatural spook show "Talk to Me" and the Gothic vampire trip "The Last Voyage of the Demeter," while action-adventure types can look for the globe-trotting sequel "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" and the creature feature "The Meg 2: The Trench." Grown-ups looking for laughs can go to the dogs with the R-rated "Strays."
Plus, classic film fans can catch the 30th anniverary re-release of "Jurassic Park" and the 50th anniversary re-release of "American Graffiti" on Sunday.
How can film fans get National Cinema Day information and tickets?
To buy tickets or find participating theaters, go to NationalCinemaDay.org, Fandango or your favorite local movie theater's website or app.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: National Cinema Day 2023 is Sunday. How to see a $4 movie in OKC
