AKIPRESS.COM - The controversial comedy The Interview has opened in some US cinemas and online, after a cyber-attack and threats to moviegoers over its release, reports BBC.

Sony Pictures had originally pulled the film, about a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

But it reconsidered after critics - including the US president - said freedom of expression was under threat.

Some cinemas organised midnight showings for Americans determined to see The Interview on the big screen.

Several hundred independent cinemas across the US have come forward offering to show the title after larger cinemas decided not to screen it following threats.

Lee Peterson, manager of Cinema Village in New York, told Reuters news agency it was a matter of principle to show the film.

"Obviously we would like to make money from the movie, as we would with any movie, but it's important to take a stand about freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to see movies."

As moviegoers lined up at the 331 independently owned theaters for the movie.

The number of tickets sold was not immediately available. Sony said only that it would disclose results on Friday. The studio similarly declined to report sales figures or estimates for online rentals and sales. But there were indications of strong interest: Many theaters reported sellouts, and “The Interview” was listed as the No. 1 seller on YouTube Movies and the Google Play store on Thursday morning.