Fathom Events, a Denver-based theatrical distributor, has become a prominent player in the entertainment industry. For the past two decades, Fathom has excelled in finding audiences for unique cinematic events, ranging from live broadcasts of opera and stage plays to anniversary rereleases of classic Hollywood films. One of its most successful ventures is its partnership with the Metropolitan Opera, which has generated over $205 million in box office sales through the “The Met: Live in HD” program.
However, Fathom’s success is not limited to opera. The company has also made a significant impact in the faith-based and anime genres, earning $68 million in ticket sales from 117 titles in the 2022 domestic box office. This places Fathom as the 9th top distributor, not far behind Lionsgate. In fact, three of Fathom’s titles earned more than $5 million, a notable achievement for the company.
With its growing profile and success, Fathom is expanding its business model to include theatrical releases of original movies. The upcoming faith-based biopic, “The Blind,” is one such example. Spearheaded by the Robertson family from the reality TV show “Duck Dynasty,” the film tells the real-life story of patriarch Phil Robertson’s battle with addiction and how he overcame it to protect his family. Fathom proved to be the perfect fit for the Robertson family, allowing them to retain control over the film’s destiny and reach their intended audience. Aside from a theatrical run, Fathom can also screen “The Blind” directly in over 1,000 churches nationwide through its partnership with the Faith Content Network.
Fathom’s evolving model was put to the test last year with the exclusive theatrical run of “The Chosen Season 3: Episodes 1 & 2.” Part of a series about the life of Jesus, the episodes opened to $8.8 million and went on to gross $14.6 million over its five-week run, setting a record for the company. Following this success, Fathom is expected to continue its relationship with “The Chosen” filmmakers, who have been granted a SAG-AFTRA waiver to shoot a fourth season.
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In addition to partnerships and unique events, Fathom has played a role in the rerelease of iconic films like “Gone With the Wind” and “The Wizard of Oz,” celebrating their respective 80th anniversaries. Fathom has also ventured into original specialty programming. For instance, the company has collaborated with Imax and Stage Access to create two films featuring renowned American soprano Renée Fleming touring and singing in Paris and Venice. The first film, “Cities That Sing: Paris,” debuted in select Imax and Fathom cinemas on August 26, followed by “Cities That Sing: Venice” later this fall.
Furthermore, Fathom is co-hosting a premiere screening event with specialty distributor Bleecker Street for the upcoming drama “Golda.” Starring Helen Mirren as Golda Meir and Liev Schreiber as Henry Kissinger, the film will be accompanied by a Q&A session with Mirren and director Guy Nattiv in theaters across the country on August 23. Fathom’s collaboration with Bleecker Street allows the film to reach its target audience and gain recognition within the industry.
Despite skepticism from some in the industry, Fathom’s CEO, Ray Nutt, remains committed to filling niche spaces in Hollywood and providing audiences with diverse and high-quality content. Fathom’s success can be attributed to its strong relationship with a dedicated audience that appreciates special and unique cinematic experiences. As the industry continues to recover from the pandemic, Fathom is well-positioned to thrive with its strong partnerships, expanding exhibition network, and commitment to delivering content that attracts audiences.
Fathom Events is a joint venture of the country’s three largest theater chains, AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark Theatres. Additionally, Fathom has added 400 new smaller exhibition partners in the past year, further expanding its reach and accessibility to audiences.
As Fathom continues to evolve and expand its business model, it remains dedicated to providing audiences with special, diverse, and high-quality content. With its unique approach to theatrical distribution and its ability to find niche audiences, Fathom Events is solidifying its position as a prominent force in the entertainment industry.
