Two of the biggest movies of all time are back in theaters for the last holiday weekend of the summer, and two more sci-fi classics are joining them.
Spider-Man: No Way Home (the third highest-grossing movie of all time, with $804.8 million in North America) returns to multiplexes with a special extended version. It adds 11 minutes to the original blockbuster, including a brand new bonus clip at the end of the credits. The sequence confirms that Peter Parker, along with being erased from everyone’s memories, was wiped from all public records as well (video, images, and otherwise). The Marvel re-release will be in theaters for one week, through Thursday September 8.
Joining it for a week-long run is Jaws, the original modern blockbuster from 1975 that changed how movies were marketed, distributed, and saturated into the popular culture. Steven Spielberg‘s horror classic receives its first ever release on IMAX screens and (separately) in 3D. Adjusted for inflation, Jaws‘ 1975 gross of $260.7M would be $1.2 billion in today’s dollars, topping Spider-Man: No Way Home by a solid $400M.
Another tactic that multiplexes are using to lure patrons this weekend: $3 tickets on National Cinema Day.
On Saturday, September 3, participating theater chains across the country — AMC, Cinemark, Regal and more — are pricing all tickets at just $3 (including premium formats like IMAX, Dolby Atmos, etc.) Many local and independent art house theaters are joining the effort as well. Some locations are also be offering $3 popcorns and sodas.
In addition, two more classics are receiving limited runs: Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and the original 1950s sci-fi thriller The Blob.
Star Trek II is being shown as a part of Turner Classic Movies monthly in-theater series, with Wrath of Khan celebrating its 40th Anniversary. Showings are on Sunday Sept. 4, Monday Sept. 5, and Thursday Sept. 8.
Going back nearly 65 years into the Hollywood archives, The Blob oozes its way back onto the big screen for showings on Sunday Sept. 4 and Monday Sept. 5. Starring Steve McQueen, The Blob (like many sci-fi movies of the era) is an allegory about the threat of Communism, right down to the beet-red color of the titular monster.
Check local listings for all of these special event screenings.