At this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas, the theater industry didn’t just show up—they rolled out the red carpet for reinvention. With execs, filmmakers, exhibitors, and tech partners all gathered under one roof at Caesars Palace, the message was loud and clear: the moviegoing experience is getting a makeover, and Cocktails and Movies couldn’t be more thrilled.
Let’s break down what got our attention—because it’s not just about reclining seats and louder speakers anymore. It’s about bringing people together, turning movie nights back into events, and turning theaters into the best night out in town.
🎬 “Make Going to the Movies Feel Special Again”
First up: Paramount’s Chris Aronson hit the nail on the head when he asked theater owners to create reasons to come out. He called for:
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Shorter pre-show trailers – 8-10 trailers is way too many (3 is just right)
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Daily deals (not just “discount Tuesdays”)
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Extended matinee pricing
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And most importantly—grassroots marketing that actually talks to the community.
Yes, Chris. That’s what we’ve been saying! Make going to the movies feel like a night out with friends, not just another screen to scroll through.
🎥 Samsung Wants to Blow Our Eyeballs Out (In a Good Way)
Samsung came to play with its latest Onyx Cinema LED display, featuring:
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True black levels
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Infinite contrast
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Super-sharp 4K visuals up to 120Hz
Translation? This isn’t just “better resolution”—it’s crystal-clear, hyper-real, and immersive-as-hell cinema. If the popcorn is warm and the cocktails are cold, this screen could change everything.
They’re even introducing digital signage that blends with theater interiors, meaning fewer posters slapped on walls and more stylized, immersive previews and promotions.
 Give Us More Time in Theaters (and We’ll Show Up)
Another highlight: Cinema United (formerly NATO) is pushing for a 45-day minimum theatrical window before films hit streaming.
And we’re saying it louder for the studios in the back: YES.
This is key, especially for mid-budget comedies, thrillers, and original films—movies that thrive when experienced with strangers laughing, gasping, or holding their breath right next to you. Releasing everything to streaming after two weekends? That’s not sustainable. Let theaters breathe, and we will, too.
🏓 Wait… Pickleball?
Okay, now here’s where things get… well, creative. Some exhibitors are experimenting with adding:
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Bowling alleys
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Arcades
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Pickleball courts
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Ropes courses
While we’re not saying every theater needs a zipline, the idea is solid: make the theater a hub, not just a screening room. Community + cocktails + cinema = our kind of venue.
🍸 What This Means for Cocktails and Movies
Look—at Cocktails and Movies, we’ve always believed in the power of the theater experience. That shared laughter during Borat. The stunned silence after Infinity War. That sense of electricity in the air before the first trailer even rolls.
We’re not giving up on theaters. And from the looks of CinemaCon 2025, neither is the industry.
So whether it’s a martini before The Fall Guy, or a mocktail before Alien: Romulus, we’re here to help make every movie outing feel like an event again.
🥂 Join Us in Saying: Cheers to the Theater Comeback.
We’ll see you in the seats—with a cocktail in hand.
