Latest news with #movieTheater
Japan Times
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Times
Marunouchi Toei closes as Japan's cinema landscape evolves
The closing of the Marunouchi Toei in the heart of Tokyo's Ginza neighborhood on July 27 marks the end of an era — and not only because it is Toei Company's last directly managed movie theater. Opened 65 years ago on Sept. 20, 1960, in the then-brand-new Toei headquarters building, the two-screen venue was once a jewel in the corporate crown of Toei, a major film producer, distributor and exhibitor. The studio was launched in 1951 and flourished in Japanese cinema's postwar golden age, when movies were at the top of the country's entertainment pyramid and fans flocked by the millions to see Toei's signature samurai action films. But after multiplexes entered the Japanese theatrical market in the early 1990s, so-called roadside theaters like Marunouchi Toei — movie palaces located in central urban areas near train lines (the 'road' of 'roadside') and directly managed by big film companies — went into decline as facilities and equipment aged and audiences opted for multiplexes, which offer state-of-the-art projection and more varied programming. The Marunouchi Toei is the last of its kind in Japan.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Would you pay $80 for popcorn? Movie theaters are betting yes
Popcorn markups have long been a gripe for movie theatre goers, but the latest hit to their wallets will be the container it is served in. Over the last few years a new phenomenon has taken over cinemas across America: specially designed popcorn buckets to accompany blockbuster releases. The bucket due to be released alongside Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is set to cost $80, the Wall Street Journal reported. It will feature a replica of the head of the film's villain Galactus, complete with glowing LED eyes and removable purple horns. It may also need its own seat at the movie theatre, as the enormous bowl is able to hold up to 361 ounces of popcorn, more than twice that of a typical large popcorn serving. Other recent custom popcorn buckets include a Daily Planet newspaper box for 'Superman,' a martial art board bucket top for 'Karate Kid: Legends' and a vault with a special key for the latest 'Mission: Impossible.' These popcorn buckets have tended to cost in the region of $25 to $50. Both film producers and cinema chains are eager to produce a bucket they hope will help generate revenue and excitement about an upcoming film. 'It's very accretive and complementary to what we're doing at the box office and concession sales,' John Curry, senior vice president of commercial at Regal, told the Journal. In 2023, Swifties went wild for the Eras Tour film bucket with the popstar blazoned on the side. The craze took off even more after the release of the popcorn holder for 'Dune: Part Two' last year. The custom container from AMC was designed to resemble one of the giant sandworms from the film. However, fans soon suggested the mouth was sexually suggestive and turned the buckets into a viral sensation. 'Saturday Night Live' even created a skit about a teenager losing their virginity to the bucket. However, the publicity led to more demand and 'now everybody wants to do a popcorn bucket and everyone wants to make it into something that will be iconic,' Rod Mason, vice president of business development at Zinc, told the Journal. Zinc licenses the rights to make its collectible buckets from studios and then movie theatres order them to sell to consumers. Chains such as AMC and Cinemark tend to order between 20,000 and 100,000 of each bucket design. Sometimes the buckets are an instant hit and sell out before being resold by consumers on eBay for hundreds of dollars. Other designs that flop, often along with the films themselves, end up being sold by the movie theatres at a discount online.
Daily Mail
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The absurd reason a single bucket of popcorn will hit $80 on your next trip to the movies
Popcorn markups have long been a gripe for movie theatre goers, but the latest hit to their wallets will be the container it is served in. Over the last few years a new phenomenon has taken over cinemas across America: specially designed popcorn buckets to accompany blockbuster releases. The bucket due to be released alongside Marvel's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' is set to cost $80, the Wall Street Journal reported. It will feature a replica of the head of the film's villain Galactus, complete with glowing LED eyes and removable purple horns. It may also need its own seat at the movie theatre, as the enormous bowl is able to hold up to 361 ounces of popcorn, more than twice that of a typical large popcorn serving. Other recent custom popcorn buckets include a Daily Planet newspaper box for 'Superman,' a martial art board bucket top for 'Karate Kid: Legends' and a vault with a special key for the latest 'Mission: Impossible.' These popcorn buckets have tended to cost in the region of $25 to $50. Both film producers and cinema chains are eager to produce a bucket they hope will help generate revenue and excitement about an upcoming film. 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' popcorn bucket is set to cost $80 'It's very accretive and complementary to what we're doing at the box office and concession sales,' John Curry, senior vice president of commercial at Regal, told the Journal. In 2023, Swifties went wild for the Eras Tour film bucket with the popstar blazoned on the side. The craze took off even more after the release of the popcorn holder for 'Dune: Part Two' last year. The custom container from AMC was designed to resemble one of the giant sandworms from the film. However, fans soon suggested the mouth was sexually suggestive and turned the buckets into a viral sensation. 'Saturday Night Live' even created a skit about a teenager losing their virginity to the bucket. The bucket was designed by Zinc Group, who said sexual innuendo 'was definitely not the intent.' However, the publicity led to more demand and 'now everybody wants to do a popcorn bucket and everyone wants to make it into something that will be iconic,' Rod Mason, vice president of business development at Zinc, told the Journal. A custom popcorn container for upcoming release 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' In 2023 Swifties went wild for the Eras Tour film bucket with the popstar blazoned on the side The martial art board bucket top for 'Karate Kid: Legends' Zinc licenses the rights to make its collectible buckets from studios and then movie theatres order them to sell to consumers. Chains such as AMC and Cinemark tend to order between 20,000 and 100,000 of each bucket design. Sometimes the buckets are an instant hit and sell out before being resold by consumers on eBay for hundreds of dollars. Other designs that flop, often along with the films themselves, end up being sold by the movie theatres at a discount online.
Geek Tyrant
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Coca-Cola's STAR WARS Short Film Is a Joyful Tribute to The Fans — GeekTyrant
Coca-Cola and Disney just dropped a new short film/commercial that feels like a thank you letter to Star Wars fans. Set in a movie theater during a full-on Star Wars marathon. It features Cantina aliens hang out in the lobby of the theater, cosplayers reenact the legendary Vader vs. Obi-Wan duel, and there's even a Force-fueled tug-of-war over a Coke bottle between Rey and Kylo, straight out of The Last Jedi . As you'll see, it unapologetically it celebrates fandom. This is about the passionate fans of the franchise. It's silly, charming, and heartfelt all at once, exactly what you'd want from something aiming to capture what it feels like to love Star Wars this much. The short taps into the reason Star Wars still matters, the fans who keep showing up. And with over 30 character-themed cans out this summer, it's a pretty fun excuse to stock up. Watch the short below, and may your thirst be with you, always.
Bloomberg
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
Does Private Equity Make Pedro Pascal Undesirable?
This is Bloomberg Opinion Today, the primary villain of Bloomberg Opinion's opinions. Sign up here. Last night, I went to the movie theater and saw Materialists. Some people have called it ' poor man propaganda,' but I kinda loved it. And honestly, I sympathize with the filmmakers. They had the impossible task of making Pedro Pascal, of all people, undesirable. Their solution? Let's just say it involved a secret Napoleon complex and — gasp!!! — a job in private equity.
