Academy seeks world's 50 best cinemas for inaugural list

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has opened applications for its first-ever list of the world's 50 best cinemas, aiming to celebrate theaters as community anchors amid the streaming era. The list will feature 25 U.S. and 25 international venues, with results expected in spring 2027 Source: eldiado.

Criteria and process

Selection will consider community engagement, image and sound quality, programming, diversity and accessibility, historical significance, design, and food and beverage offerings Source: infobae. The committee, chaired by Sean Baker and Samantha Quan of Anora fame, will review applications, which require a video and a description of the theater's history and operations Source: diariolibree. The initiative was proposed by director Jason Reitman, and applications close on August 25 Source: eldiado.

Context and impact

While U.S. and Canadian box office attendance remains below pre-pandemic levels—769.2 million tickets sold in 2025 versus 1.2 billion in 2019—the 2026 release calendar is shaping up to be the strongest since before COVID Source: infobae. Academy executive Meredith Shea expressed confidence that the initiative's impact will extend beyond symbolic recognition, though details on that impact were not fully reported Source: diariolibree.