MARSHALLS CREEK -- It was the Christmas day movie release that almost didn't happen.
Sony Pictures' controversial flick, "The Interview," opened nationwide at 300 independent theaters, including some in Monroe County.
For these moviegoers, this was the one Christmas gift they almost didn’t get.
At Pocono Movieplex in Marshalls Creek, many were here for the movie that unintentionally sparked international controversy.
“I was upset when they said they weren't going to show it, so I was really excited when we got the chance to actually see it,” said Emily Saltz.
"The Interview" is an over-the-top comedy starring actors Seth Rogen and James Franco, who get caught up in a CIA plot to kill North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.
The movie drew anger from the North Korean government and Sony Pictures cancelled the release of "The Interview" after hackers threatened violence at theaters.
But the company reversed that decision after critics, including President Obama, said Sony was allowing another country to silence our freedom of expression.
“It’s one of the Constitutional rights. Why are we getting threatened to watch a movie making fun of another country? It's the Constitution. Any other country can do it us, too,” said Brandon Anderson.
“Like Obama said, we have to see it now. It's giving in to terrorism if we don’t release it and don’t see it,” said Sarah Balaguer.
“I was really excited when I found out. I didn’t think they were going to,” said Katie Balaguer. “So when I found out they were going to, it made me really stoked. It made me want to see it even more after the whole events and everything.”
Even the theater found a clever way of working in national pride with an incentive of free popcorn.
“If you want a free medium popcorn, all you do is you come down with a copy of the U.S. Constitution, and there you go. You got the keys to the kingdom,” said manager David Urban.
Some said this controversy should be opening up a bigger, more important discussion.
“I feel, like, if Americans spent as much time and energy informing themselves about the conditions of the average North Korean, I feel like the world might be better off, we’d be more informed and there would be more efforts to support pro-democracy,” said Thandi Center.
You can catch a showing of "The Interview" at these theaters in our area:
Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg
Mahoning Valley Cinemas 8 in Lehighton
Pocono Movieplex in Marshalls Creek
Majestic Cinemas 7 in Matamoras