'The Wizard of Oz' Sets Event Cinema Record as Fathom Events' Highest-Grossing Classic Film, With More Than $2 Million at Domestic Box Office

DENVER, Feb. 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- After an extended five-day presentation in movie theaters nationwide, 1939's "The Wizard of Oz" proved its enduring appeal by grossing more than $2 million at the domestic box office, becoming the highest-grossing classic film for Fathom Events and the event cinema industry.

Due to popular demand, the original three-day run on January 27, 29 and 30 was expanded to include two additional showtimes on February 3 (Super Bowl Sunday) and February 5, winning over audiences both young and old.

The Warner Bros. feature was the first film in Fathom Events' yearlong 2019 TCM Big Screen Classics series, presented in partnership with Turner Classic Movies. With a total gross of more than $2 million during its 80th-anniversary release, "The Wizard of Oz" surpassed the box-office figures for previous Fathom Events record-holders, including the 40^th anniversary of "Jaws" in 2015 ($1.62 million); a 2014 presentation of "Gone With the Wind" ($1.55 million); and 2017's 30^th anniversary presentation of "The Princess Bride" ($1.48 million), all of which were presented in partnership with TCM.

"We received reports from moviegoers all over the country who saw 'The Wizard of Oz' on the big screen, many for the first time," said Tom Lucas, Fathom Events VP of Studio Relations. "Seeing a flawless digital presentation of a beloved film offers a new level of appreciation for the magic of the movies and allows the opportunity to share that special experience with a new generation of fans."

"'The Wizard of Oz' is a movie unlike perhaps any other, one whose appeal does not seem to diminish with the passage of time," said Genevieve McGillicuddy, Vice President of Enterprises and Strategic Partnerships, TCM. "It's an honor for TCM to present this beloved film as part of the TCM Big Screen Classics series."

"The Wizard of Oz" is just the start of an extraordinary year of classic films that are playing in movie theaters nationwide thanks to the partnership between Fathom Events and TCM. The remainder of the 2019 TCM Big Screen Classics series includes: "My Fair Lady" (February); "To Kill a Mockingbird" (March); "Ben-Hur" (April); "True Grit" and "Steel Magnolias" (May); "Field of Dreams" (June); "Glory" (July); "Hello, Dolly!" (August); "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Shawshank Redemption" (September); "Alien" (October); "The Godfather Part II" (November); and "When Harry Met Sally …" (December).

The TCM Big Screen Classics series presents each film for two or three days only in hundreds of movie theaters nationwide. Adding to the experience, each film is accompanied by brand-new commentary from TCM Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz, presented before and after the film, offering fascinating insight into the production and legacy of these influential motion pictures.

For artwork/photos related to the TCM Big Screen Classics series, visit the Fathom Events press site.

About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the leading event cinema distributor with theater locations in all top 100 DMAs® (Designated Market Areas) and ranks as one of the largest overall theater content distributors. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC); Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK); and Regal Cinemas, a subsidiary of the Cineworld Group (LSE: CINE.L), Fathom Events offers a variety of unique entertainment events in movie theaters such as live performances of the Metropolitan Opera, top Broadway stage productions, major sporting events, epic concerts, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series, inspirational events and popular anime franchises. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes for unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events' live Digital Broadcast Network ("DBN") is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 975 locations and 1,578 screens in 181 DMAs. The company also provides corporations a compelling national footprint for hosting employee meetings, customer rewards events and new product launches. For more information, visit www.FathomEvents.com. 

SOURCE Fathom Events

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