Milwaukee-area theaters offering $3 movies on National Cinema Day, Sept. 3

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Celebrate National Cinema Day on Saturday, Sept. 3, by going to the movies for just $3!

Movie theaters around the nation are offering moviegoers the chance to see any movie, any time of day for the $3 as a way to say 'Thank you' to moviegoers for a successful summer for the industry.

"We had an incredible summer at the box office," said Bryan Braunlich, executive director of The Cinema Foundation. "Labor Day weekend typically is a slow time, so it's a great way to celebrate moviegoing this weekend."

This will be the first ever National Cinema Day being hosted in the United States. After a rough 2.5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Braunlich says the day will serve as a way to celebrate a successful summer that saw box office numbers close to pre-pandemic levels.

"The box office for July of this past year nearly equaled the July of 2019 which was a record breaking year for movie box office ticket sales," Braunlich explained. "We have over 30,000 screens and over 3,000 locations. All the major chains are participating, down to the independent art houses are participating."

Greg Marcus is the President and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. All Marcus theaters will be participating in National Cinema Day.

"The idea is to get everybody's attention and back on moviegoing," Marcus said. "It's not just about a deal, it's not just about getting a cheap ticket. Not a bad thing, but it's not just a cheap ticket. It's going to show and remind everybody the power of going to the movies."

On top of the $3 deal, Marcus Theatres is offering $3 regular-sized fountain beverages, and $2.50 hot dogs. It's all to help add to the experience Marcus says you just can't get in your living room.

"I describe it as a two-hour vacation," Marcus said. "At the end of the day, it's about a great story. There's no better way to have that story told than in a movie theater."

Braunlich says the hope is this will become an annual event.

"This is our first year and we hope it goes as well as we think it will go and that everyone is on-board for another round," Braunlich said. "Make this an annual tradition."

CLICK HERE for more information on National Cinema Day.