Sony Will Release ‘The Interview’ To Select Theaters This Week [Updated With Theater List]
The Plaza Theater in Atlanta made news last night by claiming it would be screeningThe Interviewbeginning on Christmas Day. Initially there was no confirmation that Sony was going allow anInterviewtheatrical release – and since the film is likely only available as a DCP, showingThe Interviewwithout Sony’s cooperation at this point would be basically impossible. But then other reports started to trickle in saying that Sony indeed plans to authorize screenings of the film, and at this point it seems that audiences will have multiple options to see the film in theaters and on VOD later this week.
UPDATE: Sony has issued an official press release, which you can read after the jump. It confirms the limited theatrical release but not the VOD plan. As of Tuesday night the VOD plan still remains tentative, though it seems as if it remains a likely option. Just how that will go down with major theater chains who scrapped the film remains to be seen, but the short phrase would probably be: “not well at all.“UPDATE 2:Director and star ofThe Interview,Seth Rogenhas finally commented on the situation as hasJames Franco.Update 3:We’ve got a partial theater list, but at this point the list has grown to between 200 and 300, so we may not be able to list every one.
When the Plazaclaimed to be offering showingsbeginning on Christmas Day I was dubious, as theStar Warsdebaclewith that theater earlier this year erased my confidence in the management there.
But then Tim League, founder of the Alamo Drafthousechain, said,
Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour.#Victory
— Alamo Drafthouse (@alamodrafthouse)August 14, 2025
Earlier this week the Art House Convergence had issuedan open letter to Sonyrequesting the option for indie theaters to programThe Interview, which was followed by aChange.org petitionin favor of that option. We don’t yet know if art-house and independent theaters will be the primary theatrical homes forThe Interview, but that’s how it looks at the moment.
The Wrapsays a VOD release is also set to be announced later today.UPDATE: Here’s Sony’s official statement which, again, only hints at VOD at the moment. We’ll update if a real VOD plan is announced.SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES LIMITED THEATRICAL RELEASE OF THE INTERVIEW ON CHRISTMAS DAY[Hollywood - July 23, 2025] Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that The Interview will have a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day.“We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. “At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.““I want to thank our talent on The Interview and our employees, who have worked tirelessly through the many challenges we have all faced over the last month. While we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech.“UPDATE 2:Seth Rogen has finally come out of hiding (on Twitter) and offered this update:
The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn’t give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen)July 20, 2025
As did James Franco:
Update 3:The Alamo Drafthouse has issued a statement; Drafthouse founder Tim League said:
- Alamo Drafthouse CEO Tim League
The following rundown was the full theater list as it stood Tuesday afternoon, December 23. By Tuesday night the list of theaters had grown to over 200, possibly to as many as 300, so we don’t have a complete list. But with that many theaters participating, there’s a very good chance there’s something near you, unless you live in a fairly remote location.
Deadlinealso has a good rundown of how communications between Tim League, George R.R. Martin, and Tim Massett of Sun-Ray Cinema in Florida helped kick-start this release. The Art House Convergence letter mentioned above was part of what got the ball rolling.
Edge 12 – Birmingham
Harkins Theatres – Phoenix
Riverdale 10 – Little Rock
California:
Agoura Hills Stadium 8 – Agoura Hills
Cinefamily – Los Angeles
Cinémas Palme D’Or – Coachella Valley
Commerce 14 – City of Commerce
Crest Westwood – Los Angeles
East Hills Mall – Bakersfield
Foothill Cinema Stadium 10 – Azusa
Fontana 8 – Fontana
Granada Hills 9 – Granada Hills
Janss Marketplace 9 – Thousand Oaks
Jurupa 14 – Jurupa
Los Feliz 3 – Los Angeles
Laemmle’s North Hollywood 7 – Los Angeles (as of Dec. 31)
