Update: Sony has expanded The Interview‘s Christmas Day release to Christmas Eve on VOD. The film is currently available on Google Play, Xbox Video, YouTube, and http://seetheinterview.com. You can rent it for $5.99 or purchase it for $14.99. Or you can see it in any one of these theaters. Finally, it seems that our long national Seth Rogen-and-James Franco-related nightmare has come to a close.
Here is the full text of Sony’s press release:
Sony Pictures To Distribute “The Interview†Online Beginning Christmas Eve Through
Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and Dedicated Website
Film To Be Widely Available On Demand Throughout The United States
[Culver City, CA – December 24, 2014] Sony Pictures Entertainment announced that The Interview will be available online across the United States starting today, Christmas Eve.
As of 10:00 a.m. PST, the film will be available to rent in HD on Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and the dedicated website www.seetheinterview.com at a price of $5.99. The film can also be purchased in HD for $14.99.
“It has always been Sony’s intention to have a national platform on which to release this film,†said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. “With that in mind, we reached out to Google, Microsoft and other partners last Wednesday, December 17th, when it became clear our initial release plans were not possible. We are pleased we can now join with our partners to offer the film nation-wide today.
“We never stopped pursuing as wide a release as possible for The Interview. It was essential for our studio to release this movie, especially given the assault upon our business and our employees by those who wanted to stop free speech. We chose the path of digital distribution first so as to reach as many people as possible on opening day, and we continue to seek other partners and platforms to further expand the release.â€
“I want to thank Google and Microsoft for helping make this a reality. This release represents our commitment to our filmmakers and free speech. While we couldn’t have predicted the road this movie traveled to get to this moment, I’m proud our fight was not for nothing and that cyber criminals were not able to silence us.
“No doubt the issues we have confronted these last few weeks will not end with this release, but we are gratified to have stood together and confident in our future. I want to thank everyone at Sony Pictures for their dedication and perseverance through what has been an extraordinary and difficult time.â€
Fans can watch The Interview on several platforms including:
Google Play: the movie is available to buy or rent at play.google.com, and can be watched in the Play Movies & TV app on Android and iOS phones or tablets, or streamed in the living room via Chromecast, Roku or the Nexus Player.
YouTube: the movie is available at youtube.com/movies and can be watched on the web, in the YouTube app, or on select living room devices like Chromecast, Apple TV, PlayStation and Xbox.
Microsoft’s Xbox Video: the movie is available to buy or rent on the Xbox Video app on Xbox One, Xbox 360, Windows 8, Windows Phone 8 and XboxVideo.com.
SeetheInterview.com: In addition, The Interview is available at the dedicated websitewww.seetheinterview.com, which is sponsored by Sony Pictures and powered by Kernel and with payments through Stripe, a secure payment platform.In addition to Google Play, YouTube, Microsoft and www.seetheinterview.com, The Interview is also being released in more than 300 United States theaters on December 25th.
Update: According to Deadline, these are the theaters that will be showing The Interview on Christmas Day. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available!
Alamo Drafthouse, multiple locations TBD
Merrill’s Roxy, Burlington, VT
Plaza Atlanta, Atlanta
Riverdale 10, Little Rock, AR
Southside Works Cinema, Pittsburgh
Tower City Cinemas, Cleveland
Update: Seth Rogen and James Franco celebrate the film’s release on Twitter and Instagram:
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) December 23, 2014
Update: Alamo Drafthouse has released a statement: “We cannot imagine the pressures that have been affecting Sony, at all levels of the organization they have been under attack. Amidst this unwarranted chaos, they have regrouped and listened to the public, the government and the exhibition community and responded with resolve and determination. At 10:45 AM Sony bookers approved screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and other arthouse and independent theaters across the country. This is the best Christmas gift anyone could give us. We, both distributors and exhibitors, have collectively stood firm to our principles and for the right to freedom of expression. Two days til Christmas, and I am proud to be an American.” – Alamo Drafthouse CEO Tim League Well, after all the commotion and debate of the past few weeks, it looks like Sony will be releasing The Interview after all. Earlier this morning, Alamo Drafthouse CEO Tim League revealed that the studio approved screenings of the controversial James Franco-Seth Rogen comedy for Christmas Day:
Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory — Tim League (@timalamo) December 23, 2014
This comes after several days of intense public and political scrutiny over Sony’s decision to pull the film from theaters. Sony’s handling of The Interview has sparked a nationwide debate over freedom of speech, culminating in President Obama’s remarks that he thought the way Sony handled the hacking was “a mistake.” Amidst this growing criticism, it comes as no surprise that Sony decided to release the film, albeit in a smaller capacity. Deadline is reporting that The Interview will see a limited release in less than 100 indie theaters.
More as the story develops…
Fortuna, ca
Score one for independent cinema! Unfortunately, we live in an era where independent cinemas need our money, so this is awesome, especially for the Plaza! #GOATL
It’s not the Roxy in Burlington that will be playing it, but rather another theater owned by Merrill–The Palace 9 in South Burlington. http://www.sevendaysvt.com/LiveCulture/archives/2014/12/23/palace-9-will-show-the-interview
Lyric Cinema Cafe in Fort Collins, CO will also be playing it for several days. http://lyriccinemacafe.com
Georgetown Cinema in Indianapolis, IN.
The Edge theatre in Birmingham, AL as well.
State theater Ann Arbor, Michigan
Be nice in California somewhere!!!
Alamo Drafthouse’s website is down, I’m sure from so many people checking for show times.
Coram Movieland on Long Island in New York is showing is next week. I called and asked.
Also Screenland Armour North Kansas City, MO