YOUNGSTOWN - Operators of most first-run movie theatres in the Valley are hoping two massively-promoted summer blockbusters “Oppenheimer” and “Barbie” will bring people back into their seats this weekend in an industry that has yet to get back to pre-pandemic numbers.

According to the entertainment publication “Variety”, moviegoing is down 33% from 2019. An exception is the big-screen IMAX movie experience, which has increased by 50%.

The story of the man who helped create the atomic bomb, “Oppenheimer” will dominate the handful of IMAX screens around the country, which director Christopher Nolan calls the Gold Standard of motion picture photography.

IMAX theatres show films that expand vertically to fill the entire screen.

However, those living in the Valley who wish to witness Oppenheimer in its true 70 mm IMAX the way director Nolan intended, will have to make quite a hike. 

According to the IMAX website, the closest theatres showing Oppenheimer in 70 mm are the Chrysler Imax Dome Theatre in Detroit and the Regal UA Theatre just north of Philadelphia.

The Regal Crocker Park & IMAX theatre west of Cleveland will be showing Oppenheimer in what’s called “IMAX 2D”, but not the 70 mm format.

If you like the bigger screen experience but don’t want to travel far, Cinemark Tinseltown in Boardman is showing Oppenheimer in XD, which is described as a ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall screen, with custom sound and premium seating.

Every other first-run Valley movie theatre will be showing Oppenheimer and Barbie in standard movie formats:

Elm Road Triple Drive-In, 1895 Elm Rd NE, Warren, OH 44483

Regal Boulevard Centre, 24 Boulevard Centre, Niles,

Golden Star Theaters - Austintown Cinema, 6020 Mahoning Ave, Austintown, OH 44515

Shenango Valley Cinemas, 2996 East State Street Hermitage, PA

Cinemark Tinseltown Boardman and XD, 7401 Market St, Suite 575 Boardman OH 44512

The Salem Twin Cinema, 2350 East State Street, Salem is showing Barbie but not Oppenheimer.