US man sets Guinness World Record after watching 777 movies in theaters in one year
This movie buff is finally the star of the show.
Pennsylvania man Zach Swope saw 777 movies inside theaters over the past year in an attempt to raise awareness for autism and suicide prevention awareness, setting a Guinness World Record.
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Zach Swope, 32, a self-proclaimed “Lover of Films” began his movie journey on July 5, 2022, when he went to watch Steve Carrell’s hit film “Minions: The Rise of Gru,” according to a Guinness World Records press release.
The film fanatic, who has Asperger’s syndrome, was motivated to watch as many shows as he could because was doing it for the two causes.
“I am a suicide survivor and have lost people I care about to suicide,” Swope said. “This was an amazing journey that I dedicated a year of my life to, and it was all for a good cause.”
Swope watched approximately three movies during the week as he worked his full-time job early in the day. Weekends were all-day endeavors.
He prioritised short-length movies which allowed him to watch more in a day as he used a Regal Unlimited membership, which gives him access to every film for just $22 per month.
Swope targeted 16 to 17 movies per week, depending on whether he took a day off to “mentally recharge.”
Throughout his record attempt, Swope adhered to a set of strict rules: each film had to be watched in its entirety and he had to be independent of any other activity, meaning he couldn’t fall asleep or check his phone while the movie was playing.
Swope wasn’t allowed to eat or drink during the viewing and was monitored at all times by theater employees to ensure he didn’t break any of the rules.
Swope’s most-watched film over the calendar year was “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” which he viewed 47 times.
Watching nearly 800 movies in a year means there would be multiple viewings of the same film, and out of all the ones he watched, Swope saw “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” the most at 47 times.
The two runner-ups were “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” and “Thor: Love and Thunder” at 35 and 33 times respectively.
On June 2, Swope surpassed the previous world record of 715, set by Frenchman Vincent Krohn in 2018, when he watched “Spider-man: Across the Spiderverse”
An initial goal of 800 movies was set but Swope realized that number wasn’t achievable he decided to “end on lucky number sevens.”
Swope watched “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” as the last movie of his yearlong binge on July 5
The 777 movie record didn’t burn him out as a few weeks later he watched the highly anticipated World War II thriller “Oppenheimer” he told Regal Cinemas.
His least favorite movie was “The Devil Conspiracy,” a Sci-Fi, Horror film which he only saw once.
“That’s a movie I’d rather forget,” he told the “Morning X” radio show about the Nathan Frankowski-directed movie according to the release.
Swope was no stranger to movie theaters before he began his yearlong binge as he used to average 100-150 films in theaters a year and watching 777 of them would cost a ton but he says he used the Regal Unlimited, a subscription pass that allows the owner to watch as many movies for only $22 a month.
He is unsure of his next venture, but there’s always a chance he will attempt to watch more than 777 movies in a year.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll go back and try to break my own record?” he added.
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