Experiencing movies in theaters is one of the most pristine feelings ever, something that can never be recreated by alternatives, irrespective of technological advancements. However, with the advent and popularity of Ott and streaming service-based entertainment in the last decade, a significant portion of the population turned their back on theaters. This marked a drastic decline in the number of moviegoers, and its impact was noticeable with the shutting down of several movie theaters. In 2011, the subscription-based movie-viewing service, Moviepass, was launched, which had the potential to revolutionize the theater business in a massive way, and to some extent, it managed to do so for a certain period of time. But a series of instances of mismanagement led to the service’s downfall, which is duly chronicled in HBO’s documentary Moviepass, Moviecrash, directed by Muta’Ali.
In a taut, detailed, and methodical way, the documentary delineates the events that...
In a taut, detailed, and methodical way, the documentary delineates the events that...
- 6/1/2024
- by Siddhartha Das
- Film Fugitives
MoviePass, the all-you-can watch movie ticket subscription service that proved to be smash hit with cinema-goers until its extraordinary demise in 2019, could be coming back. MoviePass cofounder Stacy Spikes took control of the company this week as part of the bankruptcy proceeding of the service’s now-former parent company. “I can confirm that we acquired MoviePass out of bankruptcy on Wednesday,” Spikes told Insider, which first reported the news. “We are thrilled to have it back and are exploring the possibility of relaunching soon. Our pursuit to reclaim the brand was encouraged by the continued interest from the moviegoing community. We believe, if done properly, theatrical subscription can play an instrumental role in lifting moviegoing attendance to new heights.”
He’s set up a website, iwantmoviepass.com, featuring a mailing-list signup for updates on when the new service launches. Gone is the trademark red branding, swapped out for a black-and-white text logo.
He’s set up a website, iwantmoviepass.com, featuring a mailing-list signup for updates on when the new service launches. Gone is the trademark red branding, swapped out for a black-and-white text logo.
- 11/11/2021
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Mark Wahlberg’s Unrealistic Ideas, the company behind HBO’s Emmy-nominated McMillions, is taking another deep dive into the absurdities of greed with the story behind the rise and fall of MoviePass. Unrealistic Ideas has teamed with Assemble Media and Insider (formerly Business Insider) to develop a premium limited docuseries chronicling the demise of the famed movie-ticket subscription service.
The docuseries is based on Insider reporter Jason Guerrasio’s award-winning coverage of the rise and fall of the company. Guerrasio’s reports chronicled MoviePass’ explosive growth in 2017 after offering unlimited theatrical movies for just $9.95 a month, through its downfall.
“Employing a sexy price to turbo-charge subscriber growth, the investors who took over the company sought the rapid success experienced by high-flying startups like WeWork and Uber. But through over-the-top parties, inexplicable mismanagement, and questionable behind-the-scenes deals, the new leadership of MoviePass slowly alienated its customers and shuttered its service...
The docuseries is based on Insider reporter Jason Guerrasio’s award-winning coverage of the rise and fall of the company. Guerrasio’s reports chronicled MoviePass’ explosive growth in 2017 after offering unlimited theatrical movies for just $9.95 a month, through its downfall.
“Employing a sexy price to turbo-charge subscriber growth, the investors who took over the company sought the rapid success experienced by high-flying startups like WeWork and Uber. But through over-the-top parties, inexplicable mismanagement, and questionable behind-the-scenes deals, the new leadership of MoviePass slowly alienated its customers and shuttered its service...
- 2/18/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s over. Helios and Matheson Analytics (Hmny), the parent company of MoviePass, announced today that they’re pulling the plug on the famed monthly movie ticket subscription service which offered unlimited tickets for $9.95 a month.
Hmny today said that it formed a strategic review committee comprised of independent directors, to identify, review and explore all strategic and financial alternatives for the company. Options include a sale of the company in its entirety, a sale of company assets like MoviePass, Moviefone and MoviePass Films. Today, MoviePass notified its subscribers that it would be “interrupting the MoviePass service” effective September 14 because its efforts to recapitalize MoviePass have not been successful.
In July, the company had suspended the service to work on what it said were technical improvements as well as an effort to recapitalize the operation, which at its peak had burned through tens of millions of dollars a month.
“The...
Hmny today said that it formed a strategic review committee comprised of independent directors, to identify, review and explore all strategic and financial alternatives for the company. Options include a sale of the company in its entirety, a sale of company assets like MoviePass, Moviefone and MoviePass Films. Today, MoviePass notified its subscribers that it would be “interrupting the MoviePass service” effective September 14 because its efforts to recapitalize MoviePass have not been successful.
In July, the company had suspended the service to work on what it said were technical improvements as well as an effort to recapitalize the operation, which at its peak had burned through tens of millions of dollars a month.
“The...
- 9/13/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Seven years ago, MoviePass co-founders Stacy Spikes and Hamet Watt had a staggering realization that would shake the entire film industry to its core: People actually like going to the movies. They like to get the hell out of their house to enjoy a night away from their kids, and if that means having to watch Jason Statham punch a prehistoric shark in the face then so be it.
For much of cinema’s first century, that might have seemed like a self-evident fact, but in 2011 — when Netflix began acquiring original content, and Silicon Valley had convinced even the major studios to think of multiplexes as a necessary evil that wasn’t long for this world — it seemed like a radical idea.
As it turns out, audiences weren’t staying home because they didn’t want to go to the movies, they were staying home because they didn’t want...
For much of cinema’s first century, that might have seemed like a self-evident fact, but in 2011 — when Netflix began acquiring original content, and Silicon Valley had convinced even the major studios to think of multiplexes as a necessary evil that wasn’t long for this world — it seemed like a radical idea.
As it turns out, audiences weren’t staying home because they didn’t want to go to the movies, they were staying home because they didn’t want...
- 8/17/2018
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Is MoviePass, the subscription service that once trumpeted itself as the Netflix of movie-going, about to fade to black?
With cash running low and its stock tanking, it certainly seems like the end of the line for a company that has disrupted the exhibition industry. Last week, MoviePass borrowed $5 million at borderline usurious rates because it desperately needed capital. But its situation has failed to improve. There have been widespread breakdowns in service that have left customers angry and concerned that MoviePass is about to go under.
Nick Laubach, a 22-year-old sales operations specialist from Tampa, Fla., said there were no showings appearing Monday night on the MoviePass app and that the company had not added listings for new releases such as “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”
“I am worried that they are going to go out of business,” he said. “This is particularly worrisome for me because I purchased an annual...
With cash running low and its stock tanking, it certainly seems like the end of the line for a company that has disrupted the exhibition industry. Last week, MoviePass borrowed $5 million at borderline usurious rates because it desperately needed capital. But its situation has failed to improve. There have been widespread breakdowns in service that have left customers angry and concerned that MoviePass is about to go under.
Nick Laubach, a 22-year-old sales operations specialist from Tampa, Fla., said there were no showings appearing Monday night on the MoviePass app and that the company had not added listings for new releases such as “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.”
“I am worried that they are going to go out of business,” he said. “This is particularly worrisome for me because I purchased an annual...
- 7/31/2018
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
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