Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Set For Re-Release in AMC Theaters One-Night-Only With Dolby Atmos

Prepare to be transported back to 1984! Prince Legacy, Warner Bros. Discovery, AMC Theaters, and Dolby are teaming up to bring Prince’s iconic musical feature film, Purple Rain, back to the big screen for a special one-night in theaters.

Here’s what you need to know. On March 5th, fans will be able to experience Prince’s legendary movie in stunning Dolby Vision HDR and immersive Dolby Atmos audio at select Dolby Cinema at AMC Theatres in the U.S. and Dolby Cinema at ODEON locations in the U.K.

This is huge. When you think about it, there are so many people who adore this film which has risen to cult status, but were not old enough to experience Purple Rain in theaters. Now they can!

Get this, the re-release is in line with the the 40th anniversary and celebration of Purple Rain, which marked Prince’s acting debut and the release of the iconic album of the same name.

When it comes to the film’s premise, directed by Albert Magnolia, Purple Rain tells the story of The Kid (Prince), a young musician competing against a rival performer. Beyond his starring role, Prince’s influence was imprinted on every aspect of the film. He composed and produced the entire score and original songs, including the chart-topping hit “When Doves Cry.” The soundtrack remained at the top of the Billboard album chart for an incredible 24 consecutive weeks.

At the time, Purple Rain garnered critical acclaim, winning both the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score and the Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or Television Special. No big deal!!

The film’s undeniable cultural impact solidified Prince’s status as a musical and cinematic icon. The film even saw a re-release in AMC Theatres following Prince’s passing in 2016, demonstrating its enduring appeal. But ICYMI, you have a chance to catch it again on the silver screen.

Here’s what’s different about this re-release. On March 5th, expect a truly unique experience. Purple Rain has undergone a meticulous digital restoration from an 8K scan of the 35mm Original Camera Negative (OCN). The visual presentation has been specifically color graded for Dolby Vision, while the audio has been painstakingly restored from the original Dolby Stereo tracks and, utilizing the 20th anniversary’s 5.1 multi-channel mix master, remastered into a breathtaking Dolby Atmos presentation.

We spoke to Mr. L. Londell McMillan, a personal friend and former manager of Prince, who now co-manages Prince’s estate and Prince Legacy LLC. FYI, Mr. McMillan is also Chairman of The NorthStar Group which owns The Source … Here’s what he said about the excitement surrounding the re-release of Purple Rain:

“Prince was the greatest musician and entertainer of all-time. The Purple Rain film was a tour de force on the big screen, especially from a music artist, leaving a lasting impact that has transcended the culture over the last four decades. With the 40th anniversary and celebration of Purple Rain this year, it is wonderful to see Prince’s classic film once again in theaters, remastered in AMC Theaters domestically and Odeon, over the pond in the UK. We hope the release energizes Prince’s global fanbase and to reintroduce his cinematic masterpiece to an entirely new generation. Along with other major projects (especially new music), this is a major time for Prince’s legacy and the culture at large. See you in the theaters…”

In another quote, Jed Harmsen, Head of Cinema and Group Entertainment at Dolby, had this to say:

“’Purple Rain’ reimagined in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for Dolby Cinema is a celebration of Prince’s genius and enduring legacy.” Harmsen added “Devoted and new fans alike prepare to be exhilarated by an unforgettable and unparalleled performance from one of music’s greatest of all time.”

U.S. moviegoers can purchase tickets to see Purple Rain at Dolby Cinema at AMC locations and on many film ticketing platforms like Fandango … We just did!

Oh, and here’s the original trailer just for fun …