Allison Rose caught up with Ray Nutt, CEO of Fathom Entertainment, at this year’s CinemaCon in Las Vegas to discuss the company’s rebrand and strategic shift. Formerly known as Fathom Events, the company officially transitioned to Fathom Entertainment earlier this year, reflecting a broader focus beyond one-night screenings. With 333 event nights last year alone, the company saw a need to evolve into a specialty distributor, now offering full-length feature films alongside its signature event screenings.
Nutt explained the decision stemmed from growing partnerships with filmmakers and producers seeking more substantial theatrical runs. The rebrand has already proven fruitful, leading to more diverse offerings and year-round engagements, with 10–12 planned each year. “We still do events,” said Nutt, “but we’ve expanded what entertainment means for our audiences.”
Fathom’s ongoing collaboration with Utopia on RAD Day continues to thrive, with the addition of a documentary this year adding depth to the fan-favorite event. “They’re great people to work with,” said Nutt. “The audience got something extra, and we’ll likely do more together.”
One of Fathom’s biggest success stories remains The Chosen. Originally a web-based drama, it has become a $100M+ theatrical franchise. With the rollout of season four, Fathom introduced a “festival-style” format. This approach allows audiences to catch missed parts over several weeks, preventing the steep drop-off experienced in previous seasons. Nutt noted ticket sales are already up 80% from last year, proving the model’s effectiveness.
Another standout was Coraline, which delivered Fathom’s highest-grossing theatrical run with $34 million, 70% of which came from 3D showings. The success underscores the growing demand for elevated, unique theatrical experiences. “If you bring great content and do something extra with it, people will come out,” Nutt emphasized.
Touching on the topic of theatrical windows, Nutt acknowledged the ongoing industry debate. While longer windows are preferred by exhibitors, he believes good content is the ultimate draw, no matter when it reaches home release. “People want to experience films together. Laughing, crying, worshiping shoulder to shoulder—that’s what matters.”
With double-digit year-over-year growth and a reputation for delivering premium content across formats, Fathom Entertainment has solidified its place as a major force in the theatrical landscape. Now ranked as the 10th largest film distributor in North America, the company’s innovative strategies and event-based experiences are reshaping how audiences engage with cinema.
Whether it’s anime, faith-based films, cult classics, or immersive documentaries, Fathom’s curated slate continues to fill a unique niche in the market. By blending traditional theatrical runs with premium fan experiences, Fathom Entertainment is redefining the value—and the future—of event cinema.
