CinemaCon 2026, the annual convention of the theater industry held April 13-16 at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, brought the major Hollywood studios in front of thousands of exhibitors to present footage, release dates, and marketing plans for the 2026 movie season. The event is run by Cinema United, the trade association formerly known as NATO, the National Association of Theatre Owners, and its 2026 edition drew more than 6,000 attendees from over 60 countries, per the organization. The next edition is already scheduled for April 12-15, 2027.
What actually happens at CinemaCon?
Studios take the stage of the Dolby Colosseum at Caesars Palace and pitch their upcoming slates to the people who own and operate movie theaters. Sony opened the studio presentations on Monday, April 13, per published schedules, with Warner Bros. and Universal among the companies holding slots through April 15. Each presentation typically mixes never-before-seen footage with appearances by stars and directors, plus the release-calendar announcements that theaters need for planning. The 2026 convention also expanded presentation opportunities to three additional distribution companies beyond the usual major-studio lineup, per the organizers' program.
Why should a viewer care about a trade show?
Because it is the first full look at the summer. Titles that play well in the Colosseum often arrive months later with the footage and partnerships first tested there, and release-date changes announced on stage directly reshape the schedule you see at your local multiplex. Coverage of the 2026 convention, aggregated by the trade press that attends the event, is where the first reactions to summer 2026 footage appeared — ahead of public trailers.
What is the state of the industry behind it?
CinemaCon doubles as the industry's annual status report, and the last several editions have been dominated by recovery math: rebuilding attendance after 2020, fewer but bigger titles, and format competition between premium large screens. The association rebranded from NATO to Cinema United in 2025, reflecting its widening international membership. For viewers, the practical output of the week is simple: the release dates and title lists confirmed in Las Vegas are the ones now anchoring the 2026 calendar.
For more context, read How the Venice Film Festival Works, Explained.
For more context, read emmys 2026.
For more context, read oscars 2026.