Once a staple of pre-internet moviegoing, Moviefone is attempting a quiet return in 2025, aiming to connect with both nostalgic users and a younger digital-first audience. Known in the 1990s for its now-iconic 777-FILM phone number, the service helped moviegoers find local showtimes before online listings became the norm. Now, under new leadership and 35 years after its original launch, Moviefone is reentering the entertainment space with a redesigned mobile app and a new syndicated television series.
The app, currently in private beta and scheduled for broader release this summer, aims to modernize the original concept. It promises users mobile access to movie listings, ticket purchasing, and a curated stream of entertainment content including interviews, reviews, and behind-the-scenes segments. The update reflects the company’s acknowledgment that discovery habits have shifted heavily to mobile, especially among its core demographic of 18- to 44-year-olds.
Alongside the app, Moviefone is launching a weekly TV show, “Moviefone TV,” in an effort to expand its presence beyond digital. The series is expected to carry original entertainment segments similar to those found in the app, and while exact broadcast details remain unconfirmed, there’s speculation it may appear on the same networks as “Made in Hollywood,” another production by Cleveland O’Neal, the current head of Moviefone and a veteran television producer. Recognizing the decline of traditional linear television, the company also plans to distribute the show via streaming and free ad-supported TV platforms to increase reach, particularly among younger viewers. Social media personalities are also slated to appear, signaling a pivot toward influencer-driven engagement.
Moviefone’s history has been a mix of early success and later obscurity. After gaining popularity in the ’90s, the company was acquired by AOL in 1999, and eventually landed under the ownership of Helios and Matheson Analytics, the troubled parent company of MoviePass. Following that company’s collapse in 2020, O’Neal acquired Moviefone with the intent of reviving it for a new media landscape.
Whether the brand can find a foothold again remains to be seen. With more moviegoers returning to theaters and a growing appetite for niche streaming content, Moviefone may benefit from a mix of brand familiarity and digital accessibility. Still, it’s re-entering a fragmented and crowded market dominated by larger platforms and personalized algorithms. Its success will likely depend less on name recognition and more on how well it can deliver a relevant, streamlined experience to today’s media consumers.
