THE FIRST-RUN THEATRICAL ENGAGEMENTS
What follows is a chronological reference listing of The Godfather‘s openings in the United States and Canada during its first month of theatrical release. The information is designed to provide a comprehensive history and give a sense of the film’s rollout in the early stage of its release. This also serves to correct the numerous books and Internet resources that have cited erroneous and/or misleading release-date details for the film.
For the most part the entries are listed chronologically based upon first day of public exhibition. In some cases an entry is listed instead based on the day of premiere so long as such a screening was (1) publicly promoted, (2) held in same venue, (3) took place no more than one day prior to its public opening, and (4) no other motion pictures were screened in between the premiere and pubic opening.
The Godfather had one of the fastest rollouts to date of a major motion picture, and many of the engagements cited in this work established a new house record for box-office gross and/or length of booking.
The presentations of The Godfather were in 35mm spherical (1.85:1 aspect ratio) with monaural audio.
Premiere/Opening Date YYYY-MM-DD … city – cinema (duration in weeks)
- 1972-03-14 … New York, NY – State I (13)
- 1972-03-15 … New York, NY – Cine (20)
- 1972-03-15 … New York, NY – Orpheum (15)
- 1972-03-15 … New York, NY – State II (20)
- 1972-03-15 … New York, NY – Tower East (20)
- 1972-03-17 … Toronto, ON – Imperial (25)
- 1972-03-21 … Boston, MA – Savoy 2 (25)
- 1972-03-21 … Catonsville, MD – Westview I (25)
- 1972-03-21 … Palm Springs, CA – Plaza (19)
- 1972-03-21 … Philadelphia, PA – Fox (17)
- 1972-03-21 … Pittsburgh, PA – Warner (19)
- 1972-03-21 … Richmond, VA – Ridge 1 (18)
- 1972-03-21 … San Francisco, CA – Coronet (32)
- 1972-03-22 … Albany, NY – Hellman (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Albuquerque, NM – Wyoming Mall (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Allentown, PA – Eric (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Altoona, PA – Rivoli (13)
- 1972-03-22 … Anderson, IN – Mounds (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Annapolis, MD – Forest Plaza (11)
- 1972-03-22 … Appleton, WI – Cinema 1 (11)
- 1972-03-22 … Atlanta, GA – Capri (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Atlantic City, NJ – Charles (29)
- 1972-03-22 … Augusta, ME – Turnpike Mall I (3)
- 1972-03-22 … Augusta, ME – Turnpike Mall II (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Bailey’s Crossroads, VA – Cinema 7 (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Bakersfield, CA – Valley Plaza (12)
- 1972-03-22 … Baltimore, MD – Senator (25)
- 1972-03-22 … Barrington, IL – Catlow (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Beaver Falls, PA – Cinema (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Bedford, OH – Stillwell (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Berkeley, CA – United Artists (23)
- 1972-03-22 … Bloomfield Hills, MI – Showcase 1 (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Boardman, OH – Southern Park (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Bowling Green, OH – Stadium I (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Bradenton, FL – Bayshore (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Bridgeport, CT – Merritt (19)
- 1972-03-22 … Brockton, MA – Westgate Mall I (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Brookfield, WI – Brookfield Square (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Buena Park, CA – Buena Park Drive-In (28)
- 1972-03-22 … Butte, MT – Plaza Twin 1 (3 [8])
- 1972-03-22 … Canton, OH – Palace (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Casselberry, FL – Seminole Plaza (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Cedar Rapids, IA – Iowa (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Champaign, IL – Fox (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Charleston, WV – Village (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Cheektowaga, NY – Holiday 1 (21 [30])
- 1972-03-22 … Chelmsford, MA – Route 3 Cinema City 1 (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Chicago, IL – Chicago (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Cincinnati, OH – International 70 (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Cincinnati, OH – Kenwood (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Claymont, DE – Eric Tri-State Mall I (22)
- 1972-03-22 … Cleveland, OH – Yorktown (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Columbus, OH – Eastland (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Columbus, OH – Morse Road (19)
- 1972-03-22 … Corte Madera, CA – Cinema (22)
- 1972-03-22 … Danbury, CT – Cinema (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … Decatur, IL – Avon (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Des Moines, IA – Paramount (18)
- 1972-03-22 … DeWitt, NY – Cinema East (19)
- 1972-03-22 … Dubuque, IA – Kennedy Road 1 (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Durham, NC – Yorktowne (12)
- 1972-03-22 … East Hartford, CT – Burnside (19)
- 1972-03-22 … East Providence, RI – Four Seasons I (18 [21])
- 1972-03-22 … Eau Claire, WI – Cinema 1 (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Elmira, NY – Capitol (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Elyria, OH – Midway Mall (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Endicott, NY – Cinema Endicott (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Erie, PA – Strand (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Evansville, IN – Town Center Twin I (13 [18])
- 1972-03-22 … Evansville, IN – Town Center Twin II (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Fairlawn, OH – Summit Mall (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Fall River, MA – Center Twin I (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Fort Lauderdale, FL – Sunrise I (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Fort Smith, AR – Central Mall I (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … Fort Smith, AR – Central Mall II (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … Green Bay, WI – Vic (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Greenville, SC – Astro I (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Hagerstown, MD – Long Meadow 1 (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Hamilton, OH – Cinema West (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Harper Woods, MI – Eastland (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Harrisburg, PA – Trans-Lux (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Hayward, CA – Southland 1 (23)
- 1972-03-22 … Henrietta, NY – Towne II (35)
- 1972-03-22 … Hermantown, MN – Cinema I (5)
- 1972-03-22 … Hermantown, MN – Cinema II (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Huntsville, AL – Trans-Lux Twin Gold (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Jackson, TN – Malco (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Jacksonville, FL – 5 Points (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Jamestown, NY – Palace (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … Johnstown, PA – Westwood Plaza (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Kansas City, MO – Empire 1 (19)
- 1972-03-22 … Kenosha, WI – Welles Plaza 1 (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Kenosha, WI – Welles Plaza 2 (5)
- 1972-03-22 … Kokomo, IN – Markland Mall II (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Lafayette, IN – Lafayette (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Lakewood, WA – Villa Plaza I (16 [19])
- 1972-03-22 … Lancaster, PA – Eden (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Langley Park, MD – Langley (22)
- 1972-03-22 … Lansing, MI – Spartan East (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Lauderhill, FL – Lauderhill 1 (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Lawrence, KS – Hillcrest 1 (6 [9])
- 1972-03-22 … Lawrence, MA – Showcase 2 (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Lebanon, PA – Colonial (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Leominster, MA – Searstown 3 (13 [17])
- 1972-03-22 … Levittown, PA – Fox (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Lima, OH – Ohio (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Livonia, MI – Terrace (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Los Angeles (Hollywood), CA – Loew’s (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Los Angeles (Westwood Village), CA – Village (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Louisville, KY – Showcase 2 (18 [20])
- 1972-03-22 … Macon, GA – Cinema I (12)
- 1972-03-22 … Madison, WI – Capitol (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Madison, WI – East Towne Mall I (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Manchester, NH – Cine II (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Manhattan, KS – Varsity (7)
- 1972-03-22 … Mansfield, OH – Ohio (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Marlow Heights, VA – Marlow (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Mentor, OH – Great Lakes Mall (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Meriden, CT – Meriden Mall I (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Meriden, CT – Meriden Mall II (5)
- 1972-03-22 … Miami, FL – Northside II (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Miami, FL – Westchester (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Miami Beach, FL – Flamingo (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Milan, IL – Showcase 3 (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Milwaukee, WI – Capitol Court (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Morgantown, WV – Warner (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Mt. Clemens, MI – Macomb (14)
- 1972-03-22 … New Bedford, MA – Compass East (13)
- 1972-03-22 … New Bedford, MA – Compass West (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … New London, CT – Garde (13)
- 1972-03-22 … New Philadelphia, OH – Cinema (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Newark, OH – Cinema I (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Newington, CT – Newington I (19)
- 1972-03-22 … Newport Beach, CA – Newport (27)
- 1972-03-22 … Niagara, NY – Four Seasons I (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Niles, OH – Eastwood Mall (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Norfolk, VA – Showcase II (25 [26])
- 1972-03-22 … Norfolk, VA – Showcase III (16)
- 1972-03-22 … North Miami Beach, FL – 167th Street I (16)
- 1972-03-22 … North Miami Beach, FL – 167th Street II (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Norton Shores, MI – Airport Plaza I (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … Norton Shores, MI – Airport Plaza II (4+)
- 1972-03-22 … Norwalk, CT – Norwalk (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Oklahoma City, OK – Shepherd Twin 2 (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Old Town, ME – University 1 (14 [16])
- 1972-03-22 … Old Town, ME – University 2 (4)
- 1972-03-22 … Omaha, NE – Cinema Center I (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Orange, CT – Showcase 1 (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Overland Park, KS – Glenwood I (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Owensboro, KY – Wesleyan Park Plaza (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Palo Alto, CA – Palo Alto Square 2 (33)
- 1972-03-22 … Phoenix, AZ – Cine Capri (34)
- 1972-03-22 … Pittsfield, MA – Showplace (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Pleasant Hill, CA – Century 21 (28)
- 1972-03-22 … Port Huron, MI – Huron (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Portland, OR – Eastgate 1 (29)
- 1972-03-22 … Portland, OR – Eastgate 2 (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Racine, WI – Westgate I (11)
- 1972-03-22 … Raleigh, NC – Valley 1 (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Rapid City, SD – State (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Reading, PA – Fox East 1 (23)
- 1972-03-22 … Reading, PA – Fox East 2 (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Reno, NV – Granada (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Richmond Heights, OH – Loew’s East (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Rochester, MN – Lawler (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Rocky River, OH – Loew’s West (14)
- 1972-03-22 … Sacramento, CA – Century 22 (39)
- 1972-03-22 … St. Petersburg, FL – Loew’s (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Salem, OR – Capitol (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Salt Lake City, UT – Centre (21)
- 1972-03-22 … San Diego, CA – Cinema 21 (39)
- 1972-03-22 … San Jose, CA – Century 23 (39)
- 1972-03-22 … San Mateo, CA – Hillsdale I (22)
- 1972-03-22 … Santa Barbara, CA – State (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Sandusky, OH – Ohio (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Savannah, GA – Cinema I (12)
- 1972-03-22 … Scranton, PA – Strand (13)
- 1972-03-22 … Seattle, WA – 7th Avenue (34)
- 1972-03-22 … Sikeston, MO – Mid-Towner Center I (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Sikeston, MO – Mid-Towner Center II (6)
- 1972-03-22 … Smyrna, GA – Belmont (21)
- 1972-03-22 … South Burlington, VT – Plaza 1 (9 [16])
- 1972-03-22 … South Burlington, VT – Plaza 2 (11)
- 1972-03-22 … Southfield, MI – Americana I (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Southgate, MI – Southgate (19)
- 1972-03-22 … Spokane, WA – State (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Stamford, CT – Ridgeway (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Stamford, CT – Stamford (12)
- 1972-03-22 … State College, PA – Cathaum (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Staunton, VA – Dixie (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Steubenville, OH – Paramount (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Stockton, CA – Sherwood (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Syracuse, NY – Westhill (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Tallahassee, FL – Florida (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Tampa, FL – Loew’s (17)
- 1972-03-22 … Toledo, OH – Showcase 1 (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Topeka, KS – Dickinson (9)
- 1972-03-22 … Trenton, NJ – Capital Plaza (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Trotwood, OH – Kon-Tiki (21)
- 1972-03-22 … Tucson, AZ – El Dorado (25)
- 1972-03-22 … Tulsa, OK – Boman Twin East (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Tupelo, MS – Malco (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Utica, NY – 258 Cinema City 1 (10)
- 1972-03-22 … Utica, NY – 258 Cinema City 2 (16)
- 1972-03-22 … Utica, NY – 258 Cinema City 3 (22)
- 1972-03-22 … Vineland, NJ – Vineland (15)
- 1972-03-22 … Warwick, RI – Warwick Mall I (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Washington, DC – Republic (13)
- 1972-03-22 … Waterbury, CT – Naugatuck Valley Mall III (20)
- 1972-03-22 … Waterville, ME – Cinema Center I (8)
- 1972-03-22 … Westbrook, ME – Cinema City I (14 [22])
- 1972-03-22 … Westbrook, ME – Cinema City II (12)
- 1972-03-22 … West Hazleton, PA – Hersker (10)
- 1972-03-22 … West Palm Beach, FL – Cinema 70 (16)
- 1972-03-22 … West Springfield, MA – Showcase 2 (11 [27])
- 1972-03-22 … Wheeling, WV – Coronet (13)
- 1972-03-22 … Wilkes-Barre, PA – Paramount (13)
- 1972-03-22 … Worcester, MA – Showcase 1 (18)
- 1972-03-22 … Wyoming, MI – Studio 28 (20 [26])
- 1972-03-22 … York, PA – Trans-Lux (12)
- 1972-03-22 … Zanesville, OH – Cinema I (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Ames, IA – Ames (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Battle Creek, MI – Michigan (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Cedar Falls, IA – College Square I (9)
- 1972-03-23 … Columbus, MS – Varsity (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Fayetteville, AR – Northwest Arkansas Plaza I (6)
- 1972-03-23 … Fayetteville, AR – Northwest Arkansas Plaza II (13)
- 1972-03-23 … Fresno, CA – Manchester Mall (19)
- 1972-03-23 … Gastonia, NC – Village (8)
- 1972-03-23 … High Point, NC – Towne (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Honolulu, HI – Royal (25)
- 1972-03-23 … Iowa City, IA – Astro (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Jonesboro, AR – Malco II (8)
- 1972-03-23 … Lynchburg, VA – Pittman Plaza (4+)
- 1972-03-23 … Memphis, TN – Paramount (20)
- 1972-03-23 … Rockford, IL – State (13)
- 1972-03-23 … Wildwood, NJ – Shore Twin Two (9)