From left: Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Sally Field, Julia Roberts, Daryl Hannah and Dolly Parton of ‘Steel Magnolias’
Everett
Who’s up for a return to Emerald City, Tara, Rock Ridge, Chinquapin Parish and North Shore High School next year?
Fathom Events on Thursday unveiled its lineup of monthly Big Screen Classics for 2024, and among the films on the slate, if you haven’t guessed by now, are The Wizard of Oz (1939), Gone With the Wind (1939), Blazing Saddles (1974), Steel Magnolias (1989) and Mean Girls (2004).
For the second straight year, each screening comes with an exclusive, insightful introduction by Leonard Maltin, who knows a thing or two about the movies.
“Some of the greatest films ever made are celebrating important milestones in 2024, and Fathom Events, along with our studio partners, is proud to honor them as part of our Big Screen Classics series,” Tom Lucas, vp studio relations for Fathom Events, said in a statement. “Each of these films continues to attract and inspire new generations of fans, many of whom have never seen these beloved films on the big screen.”
The 2024 series kicks off Jan. 28, 29 and 31 with 85th anniversary screenings of The Wizard of Oz. The parade continues with My Fair Lady (1964) in February, the David Bowie-starring Labyrinth (1986) in March, Gone With the Wind in April, Steel Magnolias in May, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut (1999) in June, The NeverEnding Story (1984) in July, Rear Window (1954) in August, Blazing Saddles in September, Mean Girls in October, The Fifth Element (1997) in November and White Christmas (1954) in December.
Fathom, owned by AMC Entertainment, Cinemark Holdings and Cineworld Group subsidiary Regal Cinemas, says its 2023 collection — which included The Birds, Casablanca, Enter the Dragon, Hairspray and The Big Lebowski — raked in an estimated $20 million at the box office, a Big Screen Classics record.
“We’ve seen an interesting phenomenon of old movies being new again,” Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt said. “Whether it’s friends sharing the classics together or parents introducing their own favorites to their kids, the theatrical experience has proved to be the best way to see these films and to relive them with friends and family.”
Tickets are on sale here or at participating theaters.