“Surely, you can’t be serious!” In 2020, 14 of movie history’s greatest romances, funniest comedies, scariest monsters, boldest visions, ultimate adventures, and most unforgettable dramas will be back in movie theaters across the country as Fathom Events and Turner Classic Movies present the fourth annual, yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series.
Among the highlights are the first national theatrical release of 1933’s King Kong in more than 60 years; the tear-jerking Love Story for Valentine’s Day; the 60th anniversary of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho; and a rare big-screen appearance of Fiddler on the Roof. Plus, 2020 is the 40th anniversary of Airplane! We are serious. And don’t call us Shirley.
The 2020 lineup for the TCM Big Screen Classics series is:
- An American in Paris (1951)
- Love Story (1970)
- The Color Purple (1985)
- King Kong (1933)
- A League of Their Own (1992)
- Airplane! (1980)
- Annie (1982)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- Ghost (1990)
- Babe (1995)
- Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
- Psycho (1960)
- One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
- Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Now in its fourth year, the TCM Big Screen Classics series continues to grow in popularity. In 2019, many events in the series experienced sold-out audiences and ranked near or at the top of box-office results – showcasing the enduring appeal and popularity of gathering in a darkened movie theater to see the sights and hear the sounds of the best Hollywood has ever created. Each film is presented with pristine digital projection and movie-theater-quality sound, further enhanced by fascinating pre- and post-feature insights presented by popular TCM hosts.
“2019 was a banner year for Fathom and the TCM Big Screen Classics series, with record levels of attendees and a bigger box office than ever before,” said Fathom Events Vice President of Studio Relations Tom Lucas. “That success challenged us to search out some of the greatest films ever released, including iconic titles from over six decades, featuring world-renowned filmmakers, legendary stars, Best Picture winners, and epic productions – all meant to be seen on the big screen.”
“This is a slate of films to make every movie lover genuinely excited, and our partnership with Fathom Events means we can bring these films to a bigger audience than ever. This series celebrates the magic of the movies all throughout the country, proving that there is nothing that matches the joy of seeing these films in a movie theater,” added Genevieve McGillicuddy, vice president of enterprise and strategic partnerships, TCM.
Tickets for all films in the 2020 TCM Big Screen Classicsseries are available beginning Friday, December 6, at www.FathomEvents.com or at participating theater box offices. For a complete list of theater locations for each event, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
The movies coming soon to a theater near you in the TCM Big Screen Classics are:
An American in Paris (1951)from Warner Bros.
Sunday, January 19, and Wednesday, January 22
Nominated for eight Academy Awards, and winner of Best Picture, this musical-romance is frequently heralded as one of the great works in the genre. In post-war Paris, complications arise when a love triangle develops between three friends.
CAST: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary, Nina Foch
SCREENPLAY BY: Alan Jay Lerner
DIRECTED BY: Vincente Minnelli
Love Story (1970) – 50th Anniversary from Paramount Pictures
Sunday, February 9, and Wednesday, February 12
One of the most romantic movies ever made remains one of the most enduringly popular. This heartfelt tale of the love of a lifetime received seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Actress.
CAST: Ryan O’Neal, Ali MacGraw, John Marley, Ray Milland
SCREENPLAY: Erich Segal, based on his novel
DIRECTED BY: Arthur Hiller
The Color Purple (1985) – 35th Anniversary from Warner Bros.
Sunday, February 23
Resilient Celie endures decades of abuse, bigotry and violence, as she finds love – and family – amid her harsh and unforgiving surroundings. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and presented to honor National Black History Month.
CAST: Whoopi Goldberg, Margaret Avery, Oprah Winfrey, Danny Glover, Akosua Busia
SCREENPLAY BY: Menno Meyjes, based on the novel by Alice Walker
DIRECTED BY: Steven Spielberg
King Kong (1933)from Warner Bros.
Sunday, March 15
“No, it wasn’t the airplanes. It was Beauty killed the Beast.” When King Kong is captured and taken off his tropical island for the bright lights of Manhattan, an unexpected bond is formed between the great beast and a damsel in distress.
CAST: Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, Bruce Cabot, Frank Reicher, King Kong
SCREENPLAY BY: James Creelman and Ruth Rose
DIRECTED BY: Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack
A League of Their Own (1992)from Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sunday, April 26; Monday, April 27; and Wednesday, April 29
There is absolutely, positively no crying in baseball … but cheering is definitely allowed while watching this star-studded account of a real-life, World War II-era women’s professional baseball league.
CAST: Tom Hanks, Geena Davis, Madonna, Lori Petty
SCREENPLAY BY: Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel
DIRECTED BY: Penny Marshall
Airplane! (1980) – 40th Anniversaryfrom Paramount Pictures
Sunday, May 17, and Wednesday, May 20
A masterpiece of off-the-wall comedy, Airplane! boasts an all-star cast and an uproarious plot that spoofs airplane disaster movies, religious zealots, television commercials and romantic love … nothing and no one is safe on this flight.
CAST: Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Leslie Nielsen, Peter Graves, Lloyd Bridges
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Annie (1982)from Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sunday, June 14, and Wednesday, June 17
As a young orphan living in New York City during the Great Depression, Annie knows it’s a “hard-knock life.” Follow the plucky redhead’s journey in the lavishly produced 1982 musical-comedy that’s based on the iconic Broadway musical.
CAST: Albert Finney, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Ann Reinking, Tim Curry and introducing Aileen Quinn as Annie
SCREENPLAY BY: Carol Sobieski
DIRECTED BY: John Huston
The Blues Brothers (1980) – 40th Anniversary from Universal Pictures
Sunday, June 28, and Wednesday, July 1
“Joliet” Jake and Elwood Blues set out on “a mission from God” to save an orphanage from foreclosing. Getting their band back together for a benefit show turns into a hilariously chaotic ordeal set in the home of the blues: Chicago.
CAST: Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, James Brown, Carrie Fisher, Aretha Franklin
SCREENPLAY BY: Dan Aykroyd and John Landis
DIRECTED BY: John Landis
Ghost (1990) – 30th Anniversary from Paramount Pictures
Sunday, July 19, and Wednesday, July 22
A ghost teams up with a psychic to uncover the truth behind his murder and protect the love of his life in this romantic mystery-thriller, which was nominated for five Oscars® including Best Picture, and won Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress.
CAST: Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn
SCREENPLAY: Bruce Joel Rubin
DIRECTED BY: Jerry Zucker
Babe (1995) – 25th Anniversary from Universal Pictures
Sunday, August 9, and Wednesday, August 12
“That’ll do, pig. That’ll do.” A pig raised by sheepdogs learns to herd sheep with the aid of a friendly farmer. Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture, this story has lessons for humans (and pigs) of all ages.
CAST: Christine Cavanaugh, Hugo Weaving, James Cromwell
SCREENPLAY BY: George Miller and Chris Noonan, based on the novel by Dick King-Smith
DIRECTED BY: Chris Noonan
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)from Sony Pictures Entertainment
Sunday, September 13; Monday, September 14; and Thursday, September 17
Mysterious, mystical and magical, this towering cinematic epic follows “everyman” Roy Neary, who sees UFOs and becomes embroiled in an adventure he can hardly imagine – one in which he’ll make the “third kind” of alien encounter: contact.
CAST: Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, François Truffaut
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY: Steven Spielberg
Psycho (1960) – 60th Anniversary from Universal Pictures
Sunday, October 11, and Monday, October 12
Audiences can check in to the Bates Motel and discover the awful truth of Norman Bates … and Mother. Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller was unspeakably shocking when first released and remains a groundbreaking moment in movie history.
CAST: Janet Leigh, Anthony Perkins, Vera Miles, John Gavin
WRITTEN BY: Joseph Stefano, based on the novel by Robert Bloch
DIRECTED BY: Alfred Hitchcock
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975) – 45th Anniversaryfrom The Saul Zaentz Company
Sunday, November 8, and Monday, November 9
Seeking to avoid the hardships and danger of prison, rebellious criminal Randle McMurphy fakes mental illness in order to be moved to a psychiatric hospital in search of an easier stint. Unbeknownst to him, tyrannical Nurse Ratched awaits. Winner of all 5 major Academy Awards.
CAST: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, William Redfield, Will Sampson
WRITTEN BY: Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman, based on the novel by Ken Kesey
DIRECTED BY: Milos Forman
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)from MGM & Park Circus
Sunday, December 13, and Monday, December 14
This joyous, beautiful Oscar®-winning musical adaptation of the Broadway legend embraces a love of tradition and family – while acknowledging the bittersweet truth of the world as seen through the eyes of Jewish milkman Tevye.
CAST: Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon
WRITTEN BY: Joseph Stein, based on a series of stories by Sholem Aleichem
DIRECTED BY: Norman Jewison
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