The theater houses. The theatrical exhibitor is the link from filmmaker to its audience. They provide the screens to exhibit the film. Although the movie is the main attraction, the exhibitor derives the majority of its income through ancillary sources, the largest of which being the concession stand. Although the exhibitor never directly markets a film, the individual houses, based on the movies' performances, determine how long it will run.
A general term referring to an organisation responsible for showing films or video. Is used, together with 'producer' and 'distributor', as a way of describing the major functions and structure of the film industry.