Front Page, Headline, Industry News

Moonlight expands to more than 1,500 theatres post-Oscars

Buoyed by Moonlight’s shocking best-picture triumph at the Academy Awards on Sunday, film distributor A24 is bringing the Oscar-winning indie drama to more movie theatres than ever.

A24 announced plans to screen Moonlight in at least 1,500 U.S. theatres this coming weekend — the most cinemas since its public debut last fall. Previously, Moonlight’s largest release was playing in 1,104 theatres.

The movie remains in select Canadian theatres, including in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Moncton.

Additional screenings have been added for this week, a representative for Canadian chain Cineplex told CBC News on Wednesday.

Directed by Barry Jenkins, the coming-of-age tale follows Chiron, a poor and fatherless black boy struggling with his identity and sexuality while navigating one of Miami’s rough neighbourhoods. Three young actors portray Chiron as he transforms from a wide-eyed child into a toughened and conflicted man.

Along with best picture, Moonlight also earned Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney the Oscar for best adapted screenplay and best supporting actor for Mahershala Ali, who delivers a nuanced turn as a kind-hearted drug dealer.

Though it’s now also available via Blu-ray, DVD and VOD, industry watchers have their eyes on whether the critically acclaimed film — a favourite from last fall’s film festival circuit — might pull in more at the box office after the Academy Awards.

The so-called “Oscar bump” has previously helped boost the ticket sales of past best picture winners such as Spotlight, Birdman, 12 Years a Slave and The Artist.

Shot for $1.5 million (all figures US), Moonlight has so far made $22.3 million at the box office, according to film database site Box Office Mojo.

It’s the second-lowest best-picture Oscar winner domestically following 2009’s The Hurt Locker, which cost $15 million and brought in $17 million at the North American box office.