Hold on tight, spider monkey: The first movie in the Twilight Saga is officially back in theaters for a limited time. As announced on the official social media accounts for Twilight, Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment in August, aTwilight Saga film will be released each day, from now until Nov. 2.
Lionsgate and Fathom Entertainment have partnered to re-release all five films in the Twilight franchise — Twilight (2008), The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009), The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010), The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1 (2011) and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 2 (2012) — across movie theaters nationwide from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2.
The original Twilight returned to theaters on Wednesday, Oct. 29; followed by New Moon on Thursday, Oct. 30; Eclipse on Friday, Oct. 31; Breaking Dawn — Part 1 on Saturday, Nov. 1; and Breaking Dawn — Part 2 on Sunday, Nov. 2.
Based on author Stephenie Meyer’s bestselling books of the same name, the Twilight Saga chronicles the love story between teenager Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson). Her friendship with shapeshifting werewolf Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) is also tested as her romance with Edward intensifies.
Advanced tickets were available for purchase at major theater chains like AMC, Regal and Cinemark. Tickets are also available through Fandango and Fathom Events.
The theatrical re-releases are one of many planned celebrations in honor of the 20th anniversary of Meyer’s original book that started it all. Twilight, the first installment in Meyer’s series, was published on Sept. 27, 2005.
Each movie will also feature 10 minutes of roundtable panel discussions with Meyer, producer Wyck Godfrey, former co-president of production at Lionsgate, Gillian Bohrer, former co-president of Lionsgate’s Motion Picture Group, Eric Feig and producer Karen Rosenfelt, per the Hollywood Reporter.
“Twilight fans are some of the most passionate anywhere, making this iconic movie franchise the epitome of a modern-day classic, which Fathom Entertainment is thrilled to help bring back to the big screen in this special cinematic engagement,” Ray Nutt, chief executive officer of Fathom Entertainment, told the outlet. “With our partners at Lionsgate, we celebrate 20 years since Stephenie Meyer’s first Twilight book was published and encourage fans to relish The Twilight Saga.”
(Lionsgate)
Among the additional planned 20th anniversary festivities is the release of three special editions of Twilight from publisher Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. A hardcover deluxe collector’s edition, a paperback 20th anniversary version and a deluxe hardcover collection of the saga in its entirety were made available for purchase on Sept. 30.
The “Forever Twilight in Forks” festival, home to where the books took place, was also held in Forks, Wash., from Sept. 11 to Sept. 14, where Meyer attended as a special guest. The festival consisted of panels, a book signing, film screenings and themed parties. Attendees were also able to view screen-worn costumes from the films and visit several of the movie’s filming locations, including the Swan house, Cullen house and First Beach. Peter Facinelli and Kellan Lutz, who starred in the film franchise, also made guest appearances.
Twilight in Concert, an immersive U.S. tour occurring from Sept. 12 to Nov. 30 across 60 cities, will screen the original film while a 12-piece ensemble of orchestral musicians performs the score in its entirety. Twihards will also be able to purchase re-released soundtracks from the Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse films, courtesy of Warner Music Group, on Oct. 31.
(Lionsgate)
Director Catherine Hardwicke, while celebrating the 15th anniversary of the original film in 2023, told the Hollywood Reporter why she believes the movie continues to resonate with audiences
“Everybody wants to have that first love. That’s just undeniable. That’s just a head rush that makes you feel ecstatic. A love that’s like a drug. … And that’s what I was really trying to create in that movie,” Hardwicke said.
When all five Twilight films became available to stream on Netflix, Stewart also weighed in on the franchise’s pop culture renaissance.
“I had no idea. This is great,” Stewart told Entertainment Tonight in 2022. “Dude, it’s weird because it feels incredibly far away and also still not that far away from me and my time in this film. I don’t know. … On one hand, you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m old, my God, I did this five minutes ago. And now it’s like a 10-year anniversary.’ I’m like, wow, I have to go to my high school anniversary already. It’s rad.”