With temperatures reaching 110 degrees this weekend, local theaters are inviting the community to relax indoors and watch a movie or two while sipping on an ice-cold beverage.
In celebration of the inaugural National Movie Day, the National Association of Theater Owners is partnering with thousands of theaters across the country to celebrate the film pastime with heavily discounted tickets, deals and special screenings.
The festivities include nearly 30,000 screens across the country, including the local Hanford Cinemark 8 and Lemoore Stadium Cinemas.
“This industry has been directly and so severely impacted by COVID-19 that not only have we had to close our doors for the first time in history, but everyone is stuck at home realizing how much they miss those shared public entertainment experiences,” Cinemark PR Senior Manager Caitlin Piper said. “We thought Labor Day weekend would be a great time to rekindle the excitement we’ve been seeing all summer about movies.”
In addition to $3 movie tickets all day Saturday, Cinemark will be offering $3 medium drinks, $3 candy and $3 pouches of popcorn.
Saturday’s selection at Hanford and Lemoore will include big summer blockbusters such as “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Jurassic World Reign” and “Bullet Train,” “Elvis,” “Thor: Love and Thunder”, as well as more unique fare like “Horn for Jesus Save Your Soul” and “Easter Sunday.”
“Minions: The Rise of Gru,” “DC Super Pet League,” and “Dragon Ball Super: Super Heroes” will be great entertainment for kids. Those looking for a thrill and a chill can opt for the horror films “The Beast” and “The Invitation.”
Perhaps the most fun of the weekend’s offerings is the re-release of a tried-and-true classic and an instant classic. A rerun of 2021’s biggest movie, Spider-Man: Nowhere, an extra 15 minutes of footage will be screened at Lemoore and Hanford. 3-D IMAX Rerun of Steven Spielberg’s Classic Jaws Coming in Visalia, Tulare and Freis on the screen of Fresno.
‘Spider-Man: Nowhere’ nearly broke the internet when tickets went on sale [last year] And off to one of the best opening days ever,” Piper said.
No matter what movie or movie the audience chooses, they’re sure to have a good time on Saturday, Piper said.
“There’s nothing better than watching a movie on the big screen,” Piper said. “One of the things I noticed when I first went back to the theater after COVID was how refreshing it was to be in a room that entertained my soul purpose. The dog didn’t bark, the phone didn’t ring, I didn’t Seeing a pile of clothing that needs to be folded. There’s nothing like that in that great hall.”
