Ryan Reynolds Announces National Tour Celebrating John Candy with Special Screenings of John Candy: I Like Me and Live Conversations

Presented by Clearly Canadian 

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryan Reynolds —award-winning actor, producer, and entrepreneur—will host a nationwide tour this fall celebrating the life and legacy of John Candy with special event screenings of the new documentary John Candy: I Like Me, directed by Emmy Award–nominated filmmaker Colin Hanks. Following each screening, Reynolds will be joined on stage by surprise guests including members of Candy's family and close friends for a live, moderated conversation reflecting on the beloved comedian's artistry, generosity, and cultural impact.

Co-produced by Mills Entertainment and Maximum Effort, in association with Amazon MGM Studios, and presented by Clearly Canadian, the roadshow event series brings this joyful and inspiring tribute to major theaters across North America. The tour is engaging in various opportunities to collaborate with local partners — including film societies, festivals, and sports clubs — creating a community-forward celebration that feels both cinematic and intimate. The tour precedes the documentary's release on Prime Video on October 10, 2025, in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Told through the voices of family, friends, and collaborators, John Candy: I Like Me features never-before-seen archival footage, personal imagery, and intimate interviews that illuminate Candy's extraordinary career, generosity of spirit, and the indelible joy he brought to audiences around the world.

"Movies bring people together and millions of people came together to watch John Candy", said Ryan Reynolds. "I am so excited to share our film on a big screen and to share the stage with some of the people who knew him best as they share their memories of the man. We're also honored this tour will help support St. Jude's." 

Honoring Candy's spirit of generosity, net proceeds of each screening will go directly to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^® to support its mission: Finding cures. Saving children.^®

"This experience is intended to feel like a gathering of friends—watching the film together and sharing personal stories that remind us why John Candy still matters," said Michael Mills, CEO of Mills Entertainment. Added Simone Gianfrancesco, President, "through this unique collaboration with Maximum Effort and Amazon MGM Studios, we're excited to offer fans an opportunity to experience the film in person with Ryan and the people who loved John most".

"John Candy represents the very best of Canadian culture — warmth, humor, authenticity, and a generosity of spirit that touched people everywhere. At Clearly Canadian, we see those same values reflected in our own story. We're proud to present this special tribute with Ryan Reynolds, Colin Hanks, and the Candy family, celebrating a Canadian icon who continues to inspire joy and connection across generations."— Jennifer Blackburn, Chief Marketing Officer, Clearly Canadian

Live conversations will be moderated by Dan Pasternak and Kevin McCarthy. Pasternak also serves as a consulting producer for the tour.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, September 10 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Details and ticket links can be found at www.johncandy.com. Special guests vary by market; schedule subject to change.

TOUR DATES

• September 23, 2025 – Ridgefield, CT – Prospector Theater
• September 24, 2025 – Philadelphia, PA – Miller Theater - in partnership with the Philadelphia Film Society
• September 25, 2025 – New Brunswick, NJ – State Theatre
• October 2, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA – The Montalbán - in partnership with Film Independent
• October 5, 2025 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre - in partnership with Chicago Underground Film Festival and The Second City
• October 6, 2025 – Toronto, ON (CAN) – Queen Elizabeth Theatre - in partnership with The Toronto Argonauts
• October 8, 2025 – Brooklyn, NY – Kings Theatre - in partnership with the Tribeca Festival and The Second City
• October 14, 2025 – Boston, MA – Shubert Theatre - in partnership with the Independent Film Festival of Boston

Download trailer, and key art: HERE

About Ryan Reynolds
Canadian actor, producer, screenwriter and entrepreneur. Reynolds is the star of the Deadpool franchise which has grossed over 2 billion dollars worldwide. He is a successful entrepreneur and award-winning marketer, creating breakthrough campaigns for multiple brands. He has been recognized as one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company, The Hollywood Reporter, Wall Street Journal and AdWeek among others. He is an owner of Aviation Gin, Mint Mobile, Wrexham Football Club, Chief Creative Officer of MNTN, and a co-founder of Maximum Effort, a production company and marketing firm. He also launched The Group Effort Initiative and The Creative Ladder, nonprofits that help make creative careers more accessible to all – especially those from underrepresented communities.

About Maximum Effort
Maximum Effort makes movies, tv series, content and cocktails for the personal amusement of Hollywood Star Ryan Reynolds. We occasionally share them with the general public. Producers of the Deadpool films, Free Guy, The Adam Project and Welcome to Wrexham.

About St. Jude Children's Research Hospital^®
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.^® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. When St. Jude opened in 1962, childhood cancer was largely considered incurable. Since then, St. Jude has helped push the overall survival rate from 20% to more than 80% in the United States, and it won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude shares the breakthroughs it makes to help doctors and researchers at local hospitals and cancer centers around the world improve the quality of treatment and care for even more children. Because of generous donors, families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love and kindness. Support the St. Jude mission by donating at stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, and subscribing to its YouTube channel.

About Clearly Canadian
Clearly Canadian (The Clearly Food & Beverage Company LLC) was founded in 1987 and is one of North America's signature premium food and beverage brands. We believe that you should feel good about what you drink. We also believe that life shouldn't be gulped, it should be sipped and savoured. Clearly Canadian's distinct pure taste is crafted from award-winning Canadian spring water, made from simple natural ingredients inspired by Canadian nature, with natural hydrating minerals, and bottled in recyclable materials only. We invite you to Live Clearly. For additional information, visit www.clearlycanadian.com or follow @ClearlyCanadian on Facebook or Instagram.

About Mills Entertainment
Mills Entertainment is a leading producer of touring live entertainment, partnering with world-class talent and IP to create unique, fan-forward experiences across North America and beyond. www.millsentertainment.com

SOURCE Mills Entertainment