Jamie Lee Curtis to host Lionsgate Live! movie night experience

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

I don't know about you, but I sure miss going to the cinema. As COVID-19 continues to keep theater doors locked until such a time when they can reopen to the public, film studios are having to think outside the box when it comes to satisfying the needs of cinephiles. Enter Lionsgate, who announced today that the studio will honor the communal experience of watching movies in movie theaters and support the people who make those places great with a special program that reminds everyone how much we love going to the movies. Presenting Lionsgate Live! A Night at the Movies, a program of four Fridays of free movies streaming live on YouTube.

As per Lionsgate's official press release:

Beginning this Friday and continuing every Friday spanning four consecutive weeks, the studio will team with Fandango and YouTube to livestream four of Lionsgate's most popular library titles – THE HUNGER GAMES, the Patrick Swayze classic DIRTY DANCING, the Academy Award-winning LA LA LAND, and the shoot-em-up franchise starter JOHN WICK – on Lionsgate's YouTube page and Fandango Movieclips YouTube page.

Set to host Lionsgate Live! A Night at the Movies is screen legend Jamie Lee Curtis. Curtis will share her own movie memories as she is joined by special guest celebrities and YouTube personalities. Each week’s night at the movies will feature special programming and interactive opportunities for fans, like real-time fan chats via YouTube Live, live tweeting @Lionsgate and partners, and shared fan engagement opportunities in-show, including movie trivia, movie-themed challenges, and more.

Most importantly, audiences everywhere will have the chance to join Lionsgate in showing support for the country’s temporarily jobless movie theater employees and how much we all appreciate and miss them. Lionsgate’s initial donation as well as the audience and partner donations throughout this event will benefit the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping workers throughout the motion picture industry, and will link to the Foundation’s charitable page so that viewers who are able can help as well. The Will Rogers Foundation is currently providing financial assistance to theater employees furloughed by the COVID-19 crisis.

The free movies that will livestream on Fridays at 6:00pm PT/9:00pm ET are:
 
April 17 – THE HUNGER GAMES
April 24 – DIRTY DANCING
May 1 – LA LA LAND
May 8 – JOHN WICK (age registration required)

“There’s nothing that will replace the magic of seeing a movie together with your fellow moviegoers in a theater on a big screen, but this is a chance for America to come together to recreate the experience,” said Joe Drake, chairman, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “This is a great chance to show the country’s theatrical employees how much we miss going to their theaters and how much we support them. Jamie Lee Curtis – a woman who literally grew up with the movies and movie theaters – is one of the world’s biggest movie fans, so it’s a real thrill that she’ll be our host for this event. Let's have some fun watching some classic movies together at home while celebrating moviegoing!”

“Throughout the 125-year history of the cinema, this is the first time that movie theaters have been shut down across the country. Whether it was the Depression, wars, disasters, or local calamities, movie theaters have always been a gathering place where audiences can come together to laugh and be moved, reacting as one, to put their troubles behind them or forget about their hard week at work, and just get lost in the amazing stories on the big screen. Until we can gather again in our nation’s theaters, we’re grateful to Lionsgate for honoring the theatrical moviegoing experience and we are thrilled to join together with them over these next four Fridays, not only to see four classic movies for free, but also to allow fans and celebrities to share their own moviegoing memories. We love that so many people will be talking about what makes going to the movies so unique and memorable,” added John Fithian, president and CEO, National Association of Theater Owners.

To present the live movie event, Lionsgate is joining with some of its most dedicated partners like Fandango and important exhibition partners such as the National Association of Theatre Owners, AMC Theatres, Regal, and Cinemark Theatres, among other regional circuits. Hold up, though. What's a movie without popcorn and sncaky treats, you say? Well, Popcornopolis, purveyors of gourmet popcorn and “known for the cone,” will support with a consumer movie night offer, with 10% of sales donated to the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation. And SnackNation, the country’s leading provider of better-for-you snacks, drinks, and coffee for the home and office, will curate a movie-themed snack box with a special price and free shipping.

While the Lionsgate Live! movie night experience isn't the same as actually going to the theater, it sure is nice to see film and food organizations joining forces to help support theaters and their employees during this trying time. COVID-19 is kicking some serious ass all across the globe, but who's to say that we can't establish initiatives that lessen its effects on the film industry? Granted you're likely to own a few (if not all) of the films that are scheduled to be a part of this event, but I bet that watching them alongside a countless amount of strangers will make for a unique movie watching experience and then some! Be sure to tune in!