Wide release

A wide release is a film that plays simultaneously at cinemas in most markets across a country, in contrast to a roadshow or limited release. Industry practice since 1994 has defined a wide release in the United States and Canada as more than 600 theaters, though Variety proposed 700 or more playdates in 1996 and some distribution executives argue a true nationwide rollout requires around 800. Opening wide became the default strategy for major studio films starting in the 1970s and expanded further with the growth of multiplex cinemas and, later, the transition to digital projection, which lowered distribution costs. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/