The decision follows a strange warning on Tuesday from anonymous hackers that people should avoid going to theaters where "The Interview" is playing.
The comedic film was scheduled to come out on Christmas Day. Sony (SNE) does not plan to pull the film altogether, but the studio had indicated it wouldn't object if theaters decide not to show the film.
And on Wednesday the major chains did just that. However, some indicated they might show the film eventually.
According to sources familiar with the situation and statements by some of the companies, among the top chains that have decided to not premiere the movie are AMC, Regal (RGC), Cinemark (CNK), and Carmike Cinemas (CKEC).
Several smaller chains, including ArcLight, Bow Tie Cinemas and Southern, have also dropped their plans to show the film.
Most of the theater owners have not commented publicly.
Bow Tie said in a statement that it was "saddened and angered" by the threats against the film.
"It is our mission to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and employees," it said.
Another chain, Cineplex, which is based in Canada, also confirmed that it would postpone its showing of the movie.
"Cineplex takes seriously its commitment to the freedom of artistic expression, but we want to reassure our guests and staff that their safety and security is our number one priority. We look forward to a time when this situation is resolved and those responsible are apprehended," the company said.
The film's Los Angeles premiere went off without a hitch last week, but the New York premiere planned for Thursday was called off after the new threat on Tuesday.
"The Interview" has become controversial because its plot involves the attempted assassination of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. Sony Pictures has been devastated by a cyberattack that appears motivated by anger over the film.
So now theater owners have to decide whether to reject the online threats and show the film -- or succumb to the pressure.
The controversy raises profound questions about freedom of artistic expression -- even though "The Interview" might just be a mediocre comedy.
"The possibility that people will avoid theaters altogether is the problem," the person said. In other words, it's not just "The Interview" that could be hurt, it's other Christmas releases like Disney's (DIS) "Into The Woods" and Universal's "Unbroken."
The people insisted on anonymity because Sony has not commented publicly.
Furthermore, according to The Hollywood Reporter, "exhibitors are wary of becoming liable if they show the movie and any violence occurs."
To many observers, however, that sounds like a far-fetched scenario.
Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said on CNN's "New Day" that "this is essentially a heckler's veto" of the film.
While Sony and U.S. government officials have not explicitly accused North Korea of being behind the hacking attacks, he said this seems to be "a foreign power engaging in a cyber-attack against a private actor, a private company, in order to squelch freedom of expression."
The FBI is investigating the hack, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday that "there is no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters within the United States."
All the attention is causing some people to pledge to see the film.
"I am not going to let a terrorist threat shut down freedom of speech. I am going to The Interview," screenwriter and director Judd Apatow wrote on Twitter Tuesday night.
Not that I think it was going to be overly hilarious or anything, but this seems like some BS
