Over the past 50 years, Landmark Theatres has established itself as an innovator in motion picture exhibition, the largest national cinema chain to focus on independent and foreign films.
At its height in 2018, Landmark operated 52 theatres across the U.S., with locations in most major metropolitan areas. Their programming strategy to prioritize indie titles over Hollywood’s blockbusters created a unique profile from the mega-chains.
However, Landmark’s traditional approach may have become outdated, with the inexorable rise of streaming and moves by national chains to dedicate more screens to playing specialty films, concerts, and other special events.
Landmark’s current owner is Cohen Media Group, whose parent company Cohen Brothers Realty is going through a complex debt default and foreclosure process that could jeopardize Landmark’s theatres.
When IndieWire asked a handful of independent film distributors what impact the closure of Landmark would have on film distribution, most responded that it would make a difference but not as much as if it happened five years ago when Landmark was more prominent.
Over the past five years, Landmark has closed half of its locations. Specialty distributors such as A24 and Neon no longer rely on introducing their new titles at Landmark theatres to establish buzz around their new releases.
In many cases, these limited introductions have moved over to large chains, including the trendy Alamo Drafthouse circuit that was recently purchased by Sony Pictures Entertainment. However, as with any theatre closure, the demise of one exhibitor represents an opportunity for others, to bring new life to a vacated location.
