The Syfy hit "Sharknado" will be released to a theater near you this August, but will you go see a film that was already shown on television?
Regal Cinemas will host midnight shows of Sharknado on Aug. 2 at about 200 theaters across the country, including New York City's Regal Union Square Stadium 14 and L.A.'s Regal L.A. Live Stadium 14, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
You probably first heard of Sharknado when social media site Twitter caught wind of the odd film. Sharknado first aired on Syfy two weeks ago, and a sequel where Sharknado invades New York City is set to air on Syfy in 2014.
Regal hopes the theater release of "Sharknado" will create the desire for more theatrical showings, such as the Rocky Horror Picture Show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
"You know how audiences have had fun with Rocky Horror Picture Show over the years. If the internet reactions to this film are any indication, then our moviegoers are primed and ready to enjoy Sharknado larger than life in cinemas," Chris Sylvia, director of digital marketing for Regal Entertainment Group, said in a statement. "Regal is proud to be giving our guests this chance to fuel the social media whirlwind by inviting friends to come to the show and tweeting reactions."
Ken Thewes, Regal's chief marketing officer, added to Sylvia's comment.
"There's just something epic about watching these huge beasts on the big screen with your friends and family," Thewes told The Hollywood Reporter. "The crowd reactions will make for a memorable experience in our theatres."
Tickets for the theater release of "Sharknado" will cost $12.50 each.
"Sharknado" creators also want to keep up with the viral success of the film by hurrying up the TV film's U.K. release to Aug. 7, instead of the originally planned September airing.
"Because it has become such a phenomenon, we have carried forward some of the start dates," Steve Patscheck executive vp, global programming, Universal Networks International told The Hollywood Reporter. "This one caught on in the Twittersphere, so we wanted to make sure it's [getting an international rollout] closer to the U.S. premiere."
