Alamo Drafthouse acquired by Sony. Changes coming?

AUSTIN, Texas ( KXAN ) — The movie theater chain beloved by cinephiles and well-known for its low-tolerance talking policies will soon have a new owner. On Wednesday, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced it would acquire Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

But what does that mean for the Alamo Drafthouse experience moving forward?

KXAN News in Austin asked moviegoers if they were worried this move could mean big changes for the popular movie theaters.

“At this point I don’t have any concern,” said Steve Dubin, who’s been watching movies at the Drafthouse for 20 years. “I always liked Sony’s products so hopefully this will be a good one, too.”

According to Sony, Alamo Drafthouse will continue to operate all 35 of its cinemas across 25 metro areas under the Alamo Drafthouse brand. In a statement, Ravi Ahuja, President and COO of SPE, said Sony looks forward to “building upon the innovations that have made Alamo Drafthouse successful.”

Among Alamo Drafthouse’s signature features is its programming, which includes special screenings of new and older films throughout the year.

Many Alamo Drafthouse chains currently host weekly “Terror Tuesday” and “Weird Wednesday” events, wherein guests watch often hard-to-come-by or cult classic movies. The chain’s main theater in Austin, Texas is something of a hub for the local film community. The location is a major host of viewings and panels during film festivals like SXSW and the Alamo Drafthouse-owned Fantastic Fest.

“We are beyond thrilled to join forces with Sony Pictures Entertainment to expand our company vision to be the best damn cinema that has ever, or will ever, exist now in ways we could only ever dream of,” Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League said in a statement. “They have a deep respect and understanding of cinema’s ability to both drive growth and create lasting cultural impact which aligns perfectly with everything Alamo Drafthouse stands for.”

Jack Kyser , a local actor and director, said he is working on a film titled “Rusty Lightnin” . He hopes to one day see his movie play in the theater he grew up going to. After hearing the news about the acquisition, he said he is staying positive.

“It’s always a little scary when a beloved local business gets sold to a big company,” said Kyser. “I’ll be optimistic and I really hope that the powers-that-be will take note of what people love about the Drafthouse and not morph it into something that strays from the original concept.”

According to a press release from Sony, Alamo Drafthouse-owned Fantastic Fest is included in the acquisition and will also continue to be operated by Alamo Drafthouse. In his statement, Ahuja also assured Drafthouse fans that even though the chain will be owned by Sony, the company will “welcome content from all studios and distributors.”

The company’s headquarters will also remain in Austin.

Alamo Drafthouse was founded in 1997 as a single screen, family-owned repertory theater in Austin and has grown to 35 locations in North America. It distinguished itself in the exhibition landscape with drinks, dine-in food service and a cool vibe that became a favorite of cinephiles.

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