PriyankaNEW YORK — Jennifer Kent’s groundbreaking horror film “The Babadook” first premiered in theaters a decade ago with a modest release in just two cinemas. Fast forward to today, and the film is making a grand return to theaters this month, expanding to an impressive 500 screens.
Kent, speaking from her home in Australia, reflects on this milestone with a mix of wonder and pride. “It’s surreal, but in the best way possible. I can’t believe it’s already been 10 years. It’s amazing to be part of this journey again,” she says. “Considering its initial release on such a small scale, I’m incredibly proud that ‘The Babadook’ has maintained its relevance and continues to resonate with audiences.”
“The Babadook,” a haunting exploration of parenthood that marked the dawn of a new wave of bold, cinematic horror, is among several films celebrating anniversaries with theatrical re-releases this year. A glance at any movie theater marquee will reveal not just new releases but also a selection of beloved older films.
In an era where nearly every film is accessible at home with just a few clicks, it’s the classics that are drawing audiences back to the big screen. Repertory cinema, once the domain of arthouse theaters, has now found a place in mainstream multiplexes.
This resurgence is not just nostalgic; it’s financially significant. For example, the 2009 stop-motion film “Coraline,” directed by Henry Selick, recently grossed over $25 million in two weeks—a remarkable feat for a 15-year-old movie. Similarly, Disney’s re-release of “Star Wars: Episode One – The Phantom Menace” earned $19.4 million globally earlier this year.
This fall, theaters will feature anniversary screenings of films like “Shaun of the Dead,” “Paris, Texas,” “Whiplash,” “Hoop Dreams,” and “Interstellar,” among others. While the return of restored classics is not new (“Seven Samurai” and “The Conversation” have also graced screens this summer), what’s notable is the wide re-release of relatively recent films and the enthusiastic audience turnout.
“The Babadook,” which gained cult status through critical acclaim—including praise from legendary director William Friedkin—has the potential to surpass its original $1 million box office take in North America from a decade ago.
Nicole Weis, vice president of distribution for IFC, explains, “The film has cultivated a new fan base. Many fans never had the chance to see it in theaters. Bringing it back allows them to experience it as it was meant to be seen—on the big screen.”
Theatrical attendance hasn’t fully bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, partly because theaters have fewer new films to show. The number of nationwide releases has declined for various reasons, including last year’s extended work stoppages that disrupted the movie calendar.
To address these gaps, major theater chains like AMC, Regal, and Cinemark created Fathom Events in 2005. Fathom distributes live broadcasts of events like the Metropolitan Opera and special screenings such as the annual Studio Ghibli Fest. Their recent release of “Coraline,” including 3D screenings, set a new record for Fathom.
Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Events, notes, “Interest in classic movies has surged. This year alone, we’ve seen a 75% increase in this category compared to last year.”
Initially, Fathom focused on quieter days like Mondays and Tuesdays but has since expanded. Earlier this year, they had significant success with weekend showings of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Upcoming classics include anniversary screenings of “Rear Window,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Mean Girls,” and “The Fifth Element.”
“We often joke about what defines a classic movie,” says Nutt. “It used to be something from 50 years ago, but now we’re talking about ‘Coraline’ at 15 years old.”
While some streaming services tend to bury older films on their platforms, these movies can still capture significant attention. For instance, both “Titanic” and “The Equalizer” appeared on Netflix’s most-watched lists this summer. The choice between watching a film on your couch while multitasking and experiencing it in a theater with an engaged audience is becoming more about the quality of the viewing experience than the novelty of the content.
Mark Anastasio, program director of Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Massachusetts, observed that older films gained new appeal when his six-screen nonprofit cinema reopened post-pandemic. With few new releases available at the time, older films filled the gap.
“The interest in repertory cinema never waned,” Anastasio says. “We’ve expanded our offerings to show an older movie every night of the week, including weekends, and the demand is strong.”
This shift allows Anastasio to explore deeper into filmmakers’ catalogues, with audiences responding enthusiastically. Recently, Coolidge had a full house for Spike Lee’s “Inside Man” in 35mm and saw success with William Friedkin’s 1977 thriller “Sorcerer.” Upcoming plans include three weeks of 70mm screenings featuring films like “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Inception,” as well as a “Schlock and Awe” series showcasing William Castle films complete with original gimmicks like buzzing seats during “The Tingler.”
Such programming isn’t entirely new for urban arthouses but is becoming more widespread. More frequently, older films are being shown on screens typically reserved for new releases—a necessity given the current landscape.
“There’s about 20-30% fewer major film releases now than there were five years ago,” says Jeremy Boviard, general manager of Moviehouse in Millerton, New York. “There are definitely more gaps in programming.”
As theaters adapt to these changes, they are finding innovative ways to draw audiences back to the big screen. Whether through classic films or creative programming, the moviegoing experience is evolving—proving that sometimes, old is gold.
