National Cinema Day: Where To See 'Barbie,' 'Oppenheimer,' More For $4

ACROSS AMERICA — 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, 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.

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.

Participating theaters took in $23.8 million on National Cinema Day 2022, which was held on a Saturday. Ticket sales were 8 percent higher on that Saturday than the one prior.

Participating theaters and movies are found on the National Cinema Day website.