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Anticipated return of free holiday movies, lights at newly renovated Pollack Tempe Cinemas

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a night of free holiday movies returns to the East Valley discount theater tonight.

After a two-year hiatus and more than a million dollars in cinema renovations, Michael Pollack, Valley real estate entrepreneur, is welcoming back the community with a night of free holiday movies, carolers and more holiday lights than ever before at his Pollack Tempe Cinemas.

Starting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 17, Pollack will flip the switch to more than 500,000 holiday lights and is offering four free holiday movies for one showing only at Pollack Tempe Cinemas, located at the corner of McClintock and Elliot roads in Tempe.   

Pollack Tempe Cinemas will offer the following movies free of charge on tonight: Elf, A Christmas Vacation, Polar Express and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. The movies will begin at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited and guests are encouraged to arrive early, as the movies will be offered on a first come-first serve basis. 

This year’s celebration is extra special as this is the return of Pollack’s free holiday movie night after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The theater remained closed for more than a year and a half while it underwent an extensive million-dollar renovation.

Those renovations included upgrades to its snack bar, all six theaters and lobby area. The renovations included upgrading every theater to larger comfortable reclining black leather-like seating, black and red theater drapery, carpeting inside theaters and lobby, aisle lightening, contemporary touch-free bathroom remodel, self-service ticket kiosk, online ticketing with reserved seating and new surprises to enlighten and entertain every movie-goer experience.    

The exterior of the building was also remodeled to include a large clock between the enormous new marquees that will remind movie buffs of the city hall background in Back to the Future, as well as updated landscape throughout the property, new pavement in the parking lot, and a 35-foot flag pole proudly displaying the United States flag. 

“I am so excited to celebrate our favorite time of the year with the community once again at Pollack Tempe Cinemas,” said Pollack.  “Pollack Tempe Cinemas is truly a special place, and this year we are especially excited to open our doors and show everyone all the upgrades and renovations that will make your holiday movie going experience the best one yet.”

For a list of show times or to get more information about Pollack’s holiday activities, visit pollacktempecinemas.com.