Glitch Productions to Release 'The Amazing Digital Circus' Finale in Over 4,000 Theaters for Two Weeks Before YouTube Debut

The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act will open in more than 4,000 theaters worldwide on June 4. Two weeks later the episode will stream on YouTube. Glitch Productions announced the theatrical plan in early April.

Cofounder and CEO Kevin Lerdwichagul said he decided on cinemas after watching fans meet at conventions. “It really got me thinking and realizing, people, especially people that are online a lot, especially my generation and younger, they’re craving human connection,” he stated. Tickets went on sale April 10 through Fathom Entertainment.

The distributor reported $5 million in sales during the first weekend and said its site recorded more daily visits than in a typical month. Lerdwichagul had initially requested about 900 screens; the number rose above 2,000 in the United States and higher once international venues were added. The original four-day run was extended to two weeks.

The series first appeared on YouTube in late 2023, and its most recent episode launched in late March. Parrot Analytics measured demand for that episode at 76 times the average for other online series. Industry insights manager Christofer Hamilton at Parrot Analytics noted that Glitch built its audience directly on YouTube.

“Glitch doesn’t need a Hollywood marketing budget, because they’ve built a direct relationship with millions of fans on YouTube,” he said. Kevin Lerdwichagul said the short theatrical window aims to show that independent animation can reach large audiences and ease future cinema releases for similar projects.

“Now that there is a proven example of this working, not just for us but for the industry, it'll be a lot easier to get projects like this onto screens,” he stated.