A huge discount this Labor Day weekend.
More than 3,000 theaters across the U.S. are offering $3 tickets for National Cinema Day, which is happening for the first time this Saturday, September 3.
Tickets will be discounted from big chains such as AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and more in an unprecedented move that could just be a much-needed win for the industry.
“After this summer’s record-breaking return to cinemas, we wanted to do something to celebrate moviegoing,” said Cinema Foundation president Jackie Brenneman. “We’re doing it by offering a ‘thank you’ to the moviegoers that made this summer happen, and by offering an extra enticement for those who haven’t made it back yet.”
Labor Day weekend is historically rather slow for the movie industry, with most Americans making the most of the last weeks of summer. This year has proved particularly tough as theaters have experienced a distinct lack of major movies, with last weekend's box office proving the weakest since May 2021.
However, $3 tickets might be enough to bring in the crowds, and you can find your nearest participating theaters on the official National Cinema Day website. Labor Day weekend doesn’t see much in the way of new releases, but Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is back (and this time in 3D) as well as Spider-Man: No Way Home.
The Cinema Foundation is a non-profit that’s dedicated to promoting the cinema exhibition industry by developing diverse workforces and growing moviegoing communities. It was founded earlier this year by the National Association of Theater Owners with key members from across the industry.
“The future of the cinema industry is being determined right now,” said president Jackie Brenneman. “The Cinema Foundation is designed to bring together key industry stakeholders from business, technology, and the creative community to be the leading voice in what that future will be.”
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Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.