THE ACADEMY LAUNCHES THE ACADEMY MARQUEE THEATER LIST TO RECOGNIZE EXCEPTIONAL MOVIE THEATERS WORLDWIDE
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today a new global award that celebrates moviegoing and the great tradition of the theatrical experience. The Academy Marquee Theater List is designed to recognize the most remarkable movie theaters around the world and honor the very best in exhibition. The Academy will recognize theaters that provide exceptional audience experiences, preserve cinematic history and serve as cultural anchors in their communities.
As we celebrate the Academy’s 100th anniversary in 2027, the Academy will select 50 theaters for the first Marquee Theater List in the spring of 2027. It will include 25 theaters from the United States and 25 international theaters. A committee of Academy members across all branches will select the movie theaters, and these will be approved by the Academy’s Board of Governors.
“We are thrilled to launch the Academy Marquee Theater List, which will celebrate moviegoing and honor theaters that bring communities together through the power of cinematic storytelling,” said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor. “From classic movie palaces, to multiplexes, to independent cinemas, the Academy Marquee Theater List will recognize the best movie theaters around the world and unite our global film industry. We are deeply grateful to Governor Jason Reitman for sharing the idea for this program and to the entire Board of Governors for their guidance and support in launching this initiative."
Eligible movie theaters must be brick-and-mortar theaters that operate year-round and can be located anywhere in the world. Theaters may show first-run films or repertory screenings. A maximum of 10 theaters operated by the same theater chain or owner may be submitted in a single submission cycle.
The evaluation criteria for the movie theaters include the following factors:
- Community engagement
- Visual and audio presentation
- Programming
- Diversity, inclusion and accessibility
- Historic significance and preservation
- Theater design, lighting and conditions
- Concessions
Selected movie theaters will be featured on the Academy’s digital platforms, including its website and social media channels, and will receive a physical certification to display in their lobbies.
The application is available now, with a deadline of Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5pm PT. There is a fee per submission, with a tiered application schedule:
Early: US $250 Monday, June 1 - Tuesday, June 30
Regular: US $350 Wednesday, July 1 - Friday, July 31
Late: US $450 Saturday, August 1 - Tuesday, August 25
For more information on the Academy Marquee Theater List, please contact AcademyMarqueeTheater@oscars.org or visit www.oscars.org/academy-marquee-theater-list.
###
ABOUT THE ACADEMY
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's premier film organization and is home to a global membership of more than 11,000 of the most accomplished film industry artists and leaders. The Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films. The Academy does this by recognizing and celebrating the arts and sciences of moviemaking through renowned awards for cinematic achievement, including the Oscars®, the Governors Awards, and the Scientific and Technical Awards. The Academy’s affiliated charitable organization, the Academy Foundation, serves a public benefit through its robust educational, preservation and cultural activities. This includes the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the world's largest global film museum, the Academy Collection, the largest film-related collection in the world, and talent development programs for emerging artists. Year-round, the Academy creates opportunities for all communities to engage with the film world. Across all initiatives, the Academy connects global audiences – its members, the film industry, and film fans – through their shared passion for making and watching films.
FOLLOW THE ACADEMY
www.oscars.org
www.facebook.com/TheAcademy
www.youtube.com/Oscars
www.instagram.com/TheAcademy
www.threads.net/@theacademy
www.tiktok.com/@Oscars
www.x.com/TheAcademy