Thank you, James Flacco!

In a change of heart, Sony Pictures will allow any movie theater to show “The Interview” on Christmas Day. So far, nearly 100 indie theaters will immediately jump on board for the showings. Sony will also play on VOD, but major distributors are balking at this time.

Here’s the release:

“We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. “At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.”

“I want to thank our talent on The Interview and our employees, who have worked tirelessly through the many challenges we have all faced over the last month. While we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech.”

The largest movie theater chain that will show the movie will be Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse. Major movie theater chains like Regal, AMC, Cinemark, Landmark, Cineplex and Carmike are expecting to pass up on the opportunity.

The stars and filmmakers of the movie were in delight, who were trying their best to stay quiet during the past few days.

Actor Seth Rogen tweeted, “The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn’t give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!”

“VICTORY!!!!!!! The PEOPLE and THE PRESIDENT have spoken!!! SONY to release THE INTERVIEW in theaters on XMAS DAY!” wrote James Franco on his Instagram.

Here is the following updated list of theaters who may be participating near you (list may grow and will not be playing in North Korea):

Alabama:
Edge 12 – Birmingham

Arizona:
Harkins Theatres – Phoenix

Arkansas:
Riverdale 10 – Little Rock

California:
Agoura Hills Stadium 8 – Agoura Hills
Cinefamily – Los Angeles
Cinémas Palme D’Or – Coachella Valley
Commerce 14 – City of Commerce
Crest Westwood – Los Angeles
East Hills Mall – Bakersfield
Foothill Cinema Stadium 10 – Azusa
Fontana 8 – Fontana
Granada Hills 9 – Granada Hills
Janss Marketplace 9 – Thousand Oaks
Jurupa 14 – Jurupa
Los Feliz 3 – Los Angeles
Laemmle’s North Hollywood 7 – Los Angeles (as of Dec. 31)
Mission Grove Theaters – Riverside
Perris 10 – Perris
Santa Paula 7 – Santa Paula
Sterling 6 – San Bernardino
Van Nuys Plant 16 – Van Nuys
University Village 10 – Riverside
Westminster 10 – Westminster

Colorado:
Alamo – Littleton
Lyric Cinema Cafe – Ft. Collins

Delaware:
Penn Cinemas Riverfront – Wilmington
Rehoboth Beach’s Movies at Midway – Lewes
Westown Movies – Middletown

Florida:
Sun-Ray Cinema – Jacksonville

Georgia:
The Plaza Atlanta – Atlanta

Illinois:
Art Theater Co-Op – Champaign
Hollywood Blvd Cinema – Woodridge

Indiana:
Jasper 8 Theatres – Jasper

Louisiana:
Chalmette Movies – Chalmette
The Robinson Film Center – Shreveport

Maryland:
Eastpoint Movies 10 – Baltimore

Massachusetts
AppleCinemas – Cambridge

Michigan:
Alamo – Kalamazoo
The Michigan Theater – Ann Arbor

Missouri:
Alamo Main Street – Kansas City
MX Movies – St. Louis

New York:
Alamo – Yonkers
Cinemopalis – Ithaca
Cinema Arts Centre – Huntington
Dipson Flix 10 Stadium – Lancaster (Dec 26)
Dipson Lakewood Cinema – Lakewood  (Dec 26)
Island Cinemas – Mastic

Ohio:
Tower City Cinema – Cleveland
Gateway Film Center – Columbus

Oregon:
The Fox Theater – Dallas

Pennsylvania:
Southside Works Cinema – Pittsburgh

Puerto Rico:
Caribbean Cinemas – Puerto Rico

Rhode Island:
Cable Car Cinema – Providence

South Carolina
Terrace Theatre – Charleston

Tennessee
Belcourt Theatre – Nashville
Franklin Theatre – Franklin

Texas:
Alamo Lakeline – Austin
Alamo Slaughter – Austin
Alamo South Lamar – Austin
Alamo Ritz – Austin
Alamo – Richardson
Alamo Vintage Park – Houston
Alamo Mason Park – Katy
Alamo – Lubbock
Alamo Marketplace – New Braunfels
Alamo Park North – San Antonio
Alamo Westlakes – San Antonio
City Base Cinema – San Antonio 

Vermont:
Merril’s Roxy – Burlington

Virginia:
Alamo Loudoun – Ashburn

On whether the movie is good or bad, it’ll be a matter of opinion. In the spirit of free speech and Christmas, any art should be shown.

Source: Deadline, TheWrap