Introduction

In cinematic/filmmaking parlance, a film in its first run has been recently released.

Background

In North America, new films attract the majority of their theatrical viewers in the first few weeks after their release. Further, different movie theatres pay different rates to show films depending on how recently they have been released.

In 1946, the Supreme Court of the United States found major film distributors in violation of antitrust laws when they precluded independent theatres from screening first-run films.

Second Run?

Some older, smaller, or poorly outfitted neighbourhood or discount theatres, or those in less desirable locations, specialise in showing films during their second run.

These theatres get to keep a larger share of the ticket fees and often charge a lower ticket price.