AMC has new movies and great deals coming to a theater near you, but is the company’s plan safe?
Amid the many changes the world saw during the Coronavirus pandemic, movie theaters were among the first places to shutter in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Now, almost six months after theaters across the nation closed, AMC announced plans to reopen its theaters at 1920 prices.
The theater chain shared in a recent press release, “As part of AMC’s Centennial Celebration, all AMC U.S. theatre locations that open on August 20 will offer all available seats for all movies that day for the 1920’s admission price of 15 cents each.”
More than 100 locations will be opening nationwide on Aug. 20, and in the following three weeks they are gearing up to reopen 300 more locations across the nation, but not in California where theaters remain closed.
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The company says it is implementing safety measures, including reducing seating capacity to adhere to national coronavirus guidelines. Masks will also be mandatory for all moviegoers. Although masks can be removed to eat or drink inside the theater.
Still, some analysts are skeptical it’s safe to return to theaters with the virus still raging in many parts of the country.
Los Angeles Times culture columnist Mary McNamara called AMC’s plan “risky” and compared it to a “clinical trial.”
Citing public health officials, CNBC health and wellness reporter Cory Stieg added, “Air-conditioning in movie theaters may increase the transmission of respiratory droplets that contain the Covid-19 virus.”
AMC’s reopening plan is happening in conjunction with the release of the new film The New Mutants on Aug. 28, and the highly-anticipated action film Tenet on Sept. 3. The chain is also planning future promotional events.
“The one-day 15 cent ticketing celebration kicks off several promotions that guests will find as they return to AMC around the country. They shared in a statement, “After August 20, bring-back titles such as the special Inception 10th anniversary event, as well as titles like Black Panther, Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, Grease and Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strkes Back will be priced at only $5.”
