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| Moviefone | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
| Founded | 1989; 36 years ago (1989) |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | United States |
| Services | Online media, movie theatre information, movie tickets |
| Parent |
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| Website | moviefone |
Moviefone is anAmerican-based movie listing and information service. Moviegoers can obtain local showtimes, cinema information, film reviews, and advance tickets, as well as TV content and a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find theaters, channels, and streaming services offering movies and television shows.[1] The service is owned by Born in Cleveland LLC, Cleveland O'Neal III's holding company. O'Neal is creator and producer ofMade in Hollywood syndicated daytime entertainment show.
In 1987, in Manhattan Beach, CA, Doug Hoitenga conceived the idea and business model for moviefone, and shortly thereafter compiled a founding team. In 1989, Doug Hoitenga, along withRuss Leatherman, Rob Gukeisen,Andrew Jarecki, Pat Cardamone, and Adam Slutsky launched the interactive telephone service, with initial service inLos Angeles andNew York City.[2] Leatherman provided the voice of "Mr. Moviefone" for the automated phone service.[3] After gaining popularity, the service later expanded across the United States and eventually adopted an online presence as Moviefone.com.
In 1999,AOL purchased Moviefone for $388 million.[4][5] The acquisition was completed on May 21, 1999.[6][7]
In 2001, Moviefone entered into a partnership withMovieTickets.com that crosslinked their ticketing offerings; by 2004, Moviefone's online arm was acquired outright by MovieTickets.com.[8] However, in 2012, Moviefone announced a partnership with MovieTickets.com's rivalFandango.[9][10]
On February 23, 2014, it was reported that Moviefone would be shutting down its call-in service and its "777-FILM" phone number, but would maintain its mobile app services.[11]
On May 5, 2014, Moviefone was relaunched with a new look, an expansion into TV content, and a comprehensive search tool that allows users to find theaters, channels, and streaming services offering movies and television shows.[12]
On April 5, 2018,Helios and Matheson Analytics, the majority owner of the movie ticketing serviceMoviePass, announced the acquisition of Moviefone fromOath Inc. for $1 million in cash and $8 million in stock.[13][14]
In early 2020, Helios and Matheson went bankrupt in deep controversy over multiple changes to the MoviePass service, and at that point had one employee, Matt Atchity, handling Moviefone. The company was worth just $4,379,504, or about 1% of the 388 million when it was purchased by AOL.[15]Made in Hollywood Producer Cleveland O’Neal III purchased Moviefone out of bankruptcy in March 2020 via his holding company, Born in Cleveland LLC.[16]
In theSeinfeld episode, "The Pool Guy" (season 7, episode 8), the characterCosmo Kramer receivesmisdialed calls meant for a parodied Moviefone after getting a newphone number.[17]
In an episode of the TV series ofDilbert, thePointy-haired Boss confuses Moviefone with an automated hotline for checking his stocks, being frustrated that trying to check hisIBM stock leads to buying tickets to a horror movie.
In theFamily Guy episode "I Dream of Jesus",Marlee Matlin attempts to call Moviefone in order to hear showtimes forThe Last Mimzy, but ends up purchasing tickets to300 because of her impaired speech.
In the 2001 filmJosie and the Pussycats, Mr. Moviefone is the voice of subliminal advertising messages planted into pop music by an ominous record agency.
In the 2023 filmBeau Is Afraid, Moviefone can be seen in a shot of Beau's recently called contacts.[18]
Owned byApollo Global Management (90%) andVerizon Communications (10%) | |||||||||||||||||
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