EDITORIALS
Kick the Tires and Light the Fires - FirstShowing.net is 5 Years Old!
by Alex Billington
June 13, 2011
It's almost hard for me to believe that its been this long, but it is indeed true, this month marks the 5 year anniversary of FirstShowing.net, a website I started with my friend Josh out of a love for movies in hopes of spreading and sharing that love. Our first post was written on June 3rd, 2006, aptly announcing the sale of tickets for Superman Returns and Cars that summer. Now we're two weeks from seeing Pixar's Cars 2, so we've nearly come full circle. I'm happy to say that I'm still here, still in love with movies, and still proud of this website and the opportunity I have to share the cinematic experience with fans and friends worldwide.
Its been a long journey - we've published some 12,800 posts over 5 years, collected more than 242,000 comments, featured nearly 1,800 trailers - but we wouldn't still be around today if it wasn't for everyone who reads the site, the fans who come here on a daily basis, every last visitor. And I really mean that, as it's completely true. It's knowing that there's someone out there caring about what we have to say that keeps us running. Plus, it's great movies, those that I feel like I've been waiting my entire life to come across, like Super 8, and even Tron Legacy, that give us something to look forward to and makes every day so exciting.
Our RSS subscriber growth over the years - one of the only stats that goes that far back!
I've learned quite a bit over the years, not only in terms of how to run this business and a website, but I've deepened my appreciation for cinema and expanded my film knowledge in incredible ways. It's this site that has brought me to places like the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, the Cannes Film Festival in France, and Comic-Con in San Diego. Now there's no way I won't return every year to those three events. There's been ups and downs, rough spots and amazing experiences, but no matter what gets thrown at me, sitting in a movie theater when the lights go down is still a magical experience. It still brings a smile to my face every time I watch a movie and I hope that passion continues to be the key driving force of this website.
What I've come to realize about FirstShowing.net is that it's always evolving, day-to-day, not only in terms of the news and the movie industry in general, but with technology and the web specifically. When we first started, Twitter didn't even exist, Facebook was only for college students, and everyone still thought Bryan Singer might've successfully brought back Superman. However, we try to remain at the forefront as best we can, partially because I also love technology, but also for all the new opportunities it provides us. With that in my mind, we're still growing and expanding, and we've got some big plans that I can't announce just yet.
So once again, thank you for being a reader of and thank you to anyone who has helped us and/or worked with us over the last five years. From the numerous writers we've had, including those still working for us today (Ethan/Cate/Jeremy), to all of the publicists, executives, marketers, designers, advertisers and other friends and colleagues who have supported FirstShowing.net at one point in another, we owe you our gratitude. We've already come this far, why not make it another five. "I wouldn't presume to tell you what to do with your past, sir. Just know that there are those of us who care about what you do with your future."
Our beginnings - waiting in line for Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.
Photo of the birthday cake at the top comes from AndrewEick on Flickr.
62 Comments
2
3
HIPPY BARFDAY!!!!!!!!
Jericho on Jun 13, 2011
4
Happy D-Day. Thanks and keep it up!
JayC on Jun 13, 2011
5
hehe meant B-Day. Stoopid dislexia....
JayC on Jun 13, 2011
6
Happy Birthday guys. Will there be a party of sorts? Preferably somewhere here in the Los Angeles area? 🙂
Chris A. on Jun 13, 2011
7
8
Awesome! You guys definitely keep me excited about movies. And, continue to enlighten the world with Bob $tencil at Comic-Con.
Anonymous on Jun 13, 2011
9
I remember a picture of one event where you had a tv, couch and video game system set up outside of the theater in Colorado. Happy Birthday!
Jim Napier on Jun 13, 2011
10
12
Happy Birthday FirstShowing!Â
Bltzie on Jun 13, 2011
13
happy birthday! where the party at?
Ron on Jun 13, 2011
15
Happy birthday Firstshowing! I remember when I first found this sight looking for release dates on some films and I have never left. I pride myself in knowing quite a bit of information on movies and trivia and whatnot (It helps me cope with my chronic unemployment condition) and this site is a huge source of that info and I trust Alex and the gang. This is the site I recommend to all of my friends to find out about the virals that are running on films or casting tidbits. Keep it up FS! Wow I sounded like a real kiss ass...oh what the hell! Smooch you big hairy pale rear of FS!
Maxx on Jun 13, 2011
16
Happy Birthday Firstshowing! Hope the movie and entertainment Gods bless you  all to keep doing what you all do best. ^_^PS...wheres the party gonna be at?
Carlos Gamas on Jun 13, 2011
17
19
Happy Birthday FS! Found this site almost 3 years ago, keep up the great work.
Cody W. on Jun 13, 2011
20
Happy birthday to you all... next year you'll go to school! =P PS id love that party but Portugal's a bit out of reach xD
Ricardo Marques on Jun 13, 2011
21
a very happy 5th birthday firstshowing.net, to all writers, contributors and readers! here's to another 5 years of information, informed opinion and cinematic infatuation. keep on keeping on.
Anonymous on Jun 13, 2011
22
Congrats Alex and team and thank you for all the hard work that goes into running one of my favorite sites on the Internet! Looking forward to see how the site evolves in the years to come! =)
Andreas Climent on Jun 13, 2011
23
Happy 5th, keep up the great work........you guys are so hot right now
ryan on Jun 13, 2011
24
#1 Movie Site hands down !! Â Congrats Alex & co, keep up the great work
Tester on Jun 13, 2011
25
Happy birthday and congrats to the FS team! I love your work, you're doing a great job! Been reading this site for 3 years... it's the first place I go for movie information. Wishing you the best, Isildur of Numenor.
Anonymous on Jun 13, 2011
27
A very happy 5th birthday to Alex "Machine Guns" Billington! See you at TIFF!
Eric on Jun 13, 2011
29
i literally come here 3 times a day have told numerous buddy's about this site,keep it up, your format is perfect 5 stars guy,modern age siskel and ebert
kypdurron on Jun 13, 2011
30
WHOOOOOOHOOOO
NICK S. on Jun 13, 2011
31
I've been reading your site since as long as I had my own personal computer and of course internet connection.....four years straight. FS.net is my PRIMARY source for online blog news. Rock on' my fellow cinephiles 😉Â
Conrad Williams on Jun 13, 2011
32
Congrats!!! This has to be the best site for movie news & reviews on the internet!Â
Cruzer on Jun 14, 2011
33
Congrats, this site is on my daily list after i found it around 2 years ago. Always a good resource for my movie new. Thank you for it.
RDJ134 on Jun 14, 2011
34
Happy birthday guys! So thankful for your reporting and stories!
Case on Jun 14, 2011
36
happy birthday buttheads! thanks for always giving my much needed movie news, tell me where the party is so i can be sure to make it
Anonymous on Jun 14, 2011
37
Happy birthday FirstShowers! I'm stuck like glue to you. Ever since M Night Shammers made the abomination called the Happening and I needed somewhere to call it Crapola, I found you guys and ended up staying because you are still so enthusiastic about the medium of big pictures on a screen. I like that your still enthused even when so many people are cynical about everything. I look forward to getting up in the morning with a coffee and tuning in and checking out with you before I hit the hay for another 5 years and many more after that, unless I die of course. All the best ya crazy film nerds!
Crapola on Jun 14, 2011
38
39
Cheers Alex, I'll be here, I have no where else to go. I do appreciate the work you guys do though.
Crapola on Jun 15, 2011
40
Happy Birthday FirstShowing - my favourite film site on the net. Keep it up!
Dukephoenix on Jun 14, 2011
41
Happy Birthday to all you people at Firstshowing.net ....Keep up the amazing work!!
Rojagegeo on Jun 14, 2011
42
Happy 5th, First Showing. Congratulations and thanks. Appreciate the Independence Day Quote, but "Kick the Tires and Light the Fires" isn't celebratory. It means to get ready for take-off. Here's hoping that you'll continue to grow over the next five years, and make the take-off reference an appropriate one.
JonLonnegan on Jun 14, 2011
43
Happy Birthday to all of you at Firstshowing. That you may stick around on the internet for a very long time
Anonymous on Jun 14, 2011
44
My English is nog extreemly good, but i want to thank this site for keeping me updated about all new movie releases. We (in Holland/Netherlands) use this site for the first posters or stills to place on or dutch movie database http://www.moviemeter.nl Thanks again for this good working and good looking movie website! From The Netherlands, Stefan
Stefan on Jun 14, 2011
45
Congrats and happy birthday. Â I read the site everyday and are very appreciative of all your hard work. Â Well done.
Oduaiki1 on Jun 14, 2011
46
Happy Birthday Firstshowing.net!! I love TGB and Jeremy & Tim. This truly is one of the best film websites. I check it out every day mutiple times and I just love it (even if sometimes I do sound like a complete douchbag).Â
Davide Coppola on Jun 14, 2011
47
I've been reading Firstshowing.net in my daily basis since 2009. I wish to Alex and the rest of the great team you are a great happy birthday. Unfortunately, I'll miss the party, but I'll hold a pint and cheer for you guys!
Manuel on Jun 14, 2011
48
Congratulations, Alex... Â Speaking strictly for myself, this is where I come when I want the latest skinny on what is happening with movies. Â Every single time I thought I'd found something somewhere else that you guys didn't have, I found the same information here...usually a day or two ahead of the competition. Â I applaud you taking you passion and turning it into something fantastic, and I look forward to many more years to come!
Rogue627 on Jun 14, 2011
49
50
Happy birthday FS! Love this site. Keep up the good work!
Liyan on Jun 14, 2011
51
Congratulations and Happy birthday! And this is only the beggining!
Anonymous on Jun 14, 2011
52
Happy Birthday First Showing. I have been following this site for nearly 3 years now but I don't comment on every post but I do visit the site daily checking up the news and watching up the trailers from upcoming movies. It has good work over the years by Alex and his team and I will continue to follow your site daily for movie news trailers  and video reviews and for that I thanks you.
Joe_6285 on Jun 14, 2011
53
Happy B-Day, so glad to have found the site and so glad it's still here. Here's to another 5 years and beyond 😀
Raymond Morse on Jun 14, 2011
54
congrats alex, ive been checking this site every day for the past 4 years...keep up the great work.
BrentD on Jun 14, 2011
55
Happy birthday, this site is amazing! To many more!
Jonah on Jun 14, 2011
56
Whoa! I can't believe it! Congrats!
Anonymous on Jun 15, 2011
57
58
I know. I had a baby, now I'm trying to my movie groove back. 🙂
Anonymous on Jun 16, 2011
59
AM I LATE TO THE PARTY?! Congratulations Firstshowing and friends 😉
Anonymous on Jun 15, 2011
60
Firstshowing, you will always be up there in my browser, or i'll get mad! ;o)
Cortez De La Cruz on Jun 16, 2011
62
Cool site but I think this site needs a couple new features like a weekend box office report and a Tuesday new movie releases on BluRay.
Craiger on Jun 26, 2011
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH