US theaters relive magic with 2-day 'Final Fantasy 7' event

When will Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children Complete be playing in U.S. theaters?nFans of Final Fantasy 7 can catch the director’s cut of Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children Complete in U.S. theaters on February 21 for the dubbed version and on February 22 for the subbed version.

Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children Complete is set to make its theatrical debut for the first time in the United States in a two-day limited event. This special director's cut is an extended version of the original film, offering an additional 26 minutes of content. Before the screening, there is an added bonus for fans: an intro reel that includes the history of Final Fantasy 7, a look at the connection between the game and the movie, gameplay footage of the anticipated Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and interviews with key people involved in the remake's development. With the game Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth being named Most Anticipated Game at The Game Awards 2023, anticipation is quite high.

The story of Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children picks up two years after the conclusion of the classic RPG, with protagonist Cloud joining forces with Tifa and other companions to combat a mysterious illness and thwart a trio aiming to resurrect the notorious villain Sephiroth. Originally a direct-to-DVD release in Japan and the U.S. back in the mid-2000s, this CGI movie never had a proper theatrical release until now. With the upcoming showing scheduled shortly before the release of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which is set to hit shelves exclusively on PS5 on February 29, this event serves as a stirring lead-up for fans.

Final Fantasy 7, developed by Square Enix (formerly Square), is a landmark title in the realm of role-playing games. It was initially released in 1997 for the PlayStation and garnered widespread critical acclaim for its deep storytelling, immersive gameplay, and full 3D graphics—a novel feature for RPGs at the time. The narrative revolves around Cloud Strife and a group of allies who set out to stop the megacorporation Shinra and the enigmatic warrior Sephiroth. With a legacy that has spurred numerous spin-offs, merchandise, and media, including Advent Children, Final Fantasy 7 continues to be a seminal influence in gaming culture. The film, Advent Children, expanded on the game’s universe, providing fans with a visual continuation of its rich story.