Movie theaters across the country closed amid the coronavirus pandemic. While a few Central Florida cinemas have already opened their doors to patrons, others — such as big chains Regal and AMC — are set to open later this week.
“Having some movie theater popcorn, which is just a thing in itself that we’ve craved for a while, and having the audio and the big screen and being surrounded by a film, it’s an experience,” said Janie Pope, Enzian’s director of development and public relations. “It’s not the same one you get when you’re on your couch at home.”
Before you head out to see a movie, here’s what you should know.
Aloma Cinema Grill
Aloma Cinema Grill reopened the second week in June, entertaining theater-goers with older run movies, such as “Jaws” and Indiana Jones films. On Aug. 21, the theater will screen new release “Unhinged,” followed by “Bill & Ted Face the Music” later this month and “Tenet” on Sept. 4.
The cinema has implemented safety precautions, including temperature checks for employees, who are required to wear masks; installing sanitation stations; allowing an hour break between movies to clean auditoriums; marking tables that are off-limits for social distancing; and requiring masks for patrons except while enjoying food or drink.
“I think our theater would make you feel more comfortable and more at ease because … it’s spread out more,” said Tammy Shrank, general manager of Aloma Cinema Grill. “It’s kind of like my home, and I like seeing my customers come in and enjoy themselves and always have a good feeling about coming and leaving.”
If you go: 2155 Aloma Ave. in Winter Park; alomacinemaandgrill.com
AMC
Many AMC theaters open beginning Aug. 20.
Fans can enjoy new releases, such as “Unhinged,” “Words on Bathroom Walls” and “Cut Throat City,” on Aug. 21 at most theaters. Other highly anticipated films headed to AMC include “The New Mutants” on Aug. 28 and “Tenet” on Sept. 3. In addition to new movies, AMC will also play fan-favorite films as well as those that had a limited run in theaters or went straight to video-on-demand, ranging from “Black Panther” to “Grease,” “I Still Believe,” “Sonic the Hedgehog” and “Bloodshot.”
The company’s safety measures include keeping auditoriums at 30 percent capacity or less; requiring masks (neck gaiters, bandannas and masks with vents or valves are not acceptable; masks can be purchased for $1) for patrons and employees throughout the theater; going cashless at concessions and MacGuffins Bar; temporarily discontinuing popcorn and drink refills; requiring temperature checks for employees; making sanitizers and disinfecting wipes available; and continuously cleaning and disinfecting high-traffic areas, plus adding extra time between screenings to clean auditoriums as well as cleaning each auditorium daily with electrostatic sprayers.
If you go: 9415 W. Colonial Drive in Ocoee; 433 E. Altamonte Drive in Altamonte Springs; 1500 E. Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista; 10401-015 U.S. Highway 441 in South Leesburg; 1401 S. Dixie Highway in New Smyrna Beach; amctheatres.com
Cinemark
While Cinemark has opened some theaters throughout the U.S., two in Orlando reopen Aug. 21 and one in Lakeland reopens Aug. 25.
Central Florida audiences can expect new releases such as “Words on Bathroom Walls,” “Unhinged” and “Cut Throat City” as soon as Aug. 21; “The New Mutants” and “The Personal History of David Copperfield” on Aug. 28; and “Tenet” in September. Theaters will also show “Comeback Classics” (think “Beetlejuice” and the Harry Potter series). Cinemark also currently offers a private watch party for up to 20 guests at select theaters (including the two in Orlando).
The national chain has implemented several new safety measures.
Cinemark uses EPA-approved products that eliminate COVID-19 at least every 30 minutes to sanitize high-contact areas, auditoriums are disinfected daily with a pressurized sprayer, seats are sanitized between movies and sanitizing stations and seat wipe dispensers are available. Employees have been trained on new safety measures (plus each theater has been appointed a “Chief Clean & Safety Monitor” dedicated to enforcing these policies), they must also wear face masks and gloves and undergo wellness checks. For customers, face masks are mandatory, except while eating and drinking inside the auditorium. With regards to food, self-serve bulk candy as well as popcorn and drink refills have been suspended, plus self-serve condiments have been replaced with individually sealed packets or containers available upon request. Note: Cash will not be accepted at concession areas, but theaters will have a designated area where cash can be exchanged for gift cards.
If you go: 5150 International Drive in Orlando; 6000 Universal Blvd. in Orlando; 3800 U.S. Highway 98 N., Suite 910, in Lakeland; cinemark.com
Enzian
Enzian Theater reopened on June 12 and has been entertaining guests with themed weeks (Universal Classic Monsters Week, John Hughes Week and more) of repertory films, that is until the Florida Film Festival kicked off on Aug. 7.
Once the event wraps on Aug. 21 — it was originally scheduled to end a day earlier, but a power outage over the weekend led the theater to reschedule the Midnight Shorts program, “Marona’s Fantastic Tale” and narrative competition feature “The Outside Story” to Friday — first-run films will return. The upcoming lineup includes “Tesla” and “Made in Italy” starting Aug. 22, “The Personal History of David Copperfield” starting Aug. 28 and “The Nest” in mid-September. Enzian will also continue to host special programming series throughout the year.
“It’s nice to know that coming out of the festival, we can really hone in on our mission and then really focus on the indie art house first-run films that we’re known for,” said Pope.
Enzian has taken extra precautions, including fogging the theater daily with Centers for Disease Control-approved disinfectant liquid, allowing 75 minutes between movies to sanitize and requiring employees to wear masks and undergo health checks. Masks must be worn at all times, except when eating and drinking (guests must cover up to receive service). The theater is also taking patrons’ temperatures, and seating capacity has been cut in half in auditoriums and Eden Bar.
Pope said she feels exponentially safer walking into Enzian than restaurants, stores and more.
“Every single precaution that has been taken at our theater is above and beyond what’s required even in some restaurants right now,” she said, noting the Orange County government recently recognized the Maitland theater as a local establishment “doing it right.”
Matthew Curtis, Enzian’s programming director, said he’s never felt uncomfortable since returning in June to the theater.
“It feels good to be doing something normal and be entertained and laughing and crying and seeing something exciting on the screen,” he said. “I felt like I got a little piece of my life back.”
If you go: 1300 S. Orlando Ave. in Maitland; enzian.org
Epic Theatres
Deltona-based Epic Theatres began reopening a few locations on July 24, and 10 of its 12 theaters will welcome guests as of Aug. 21 — the North Carolina and DeLand theaters remain closed.
The theaters have been screening mostly library content — such as “Back to the Future” and “Jurassic Park” — but Epic will feature its first new release since shutting down: “Unhinged” will hit theaters on Aug. 21. Later this month, theaters will screen “The New Mutants,” and “Tenet” will debut ahead of Labor Day.
Epic has implemented a variety of safety measures, including mandatory mask requirements for patrons, except while eating and drinking; cashless payment (money can be turned into a gift card in a designated area of each theater); scattered hand sanitizing stations; temperature checks, gloves and face masks required for workers; social distanced seating; fogging of auditoriums between screenings and the entire theater every night; and increased cleaning of high-contact surfaces.
“We do care a lot about our communities, and we’re involved in them,” said Joe DeMarsh, operations manager at Epic Theatres. “We want to provide a safe, fun atmosphere for them to come watch movies.”
DeMarsh said he understands many people are looking for safe entertainment amid the pandemic, and movies can provide that relief. But for those cautious about re-entering a theater, Epic has a couple of options that might pique their interest.
The company has been offering drive-in movies in the parking lots of the Clermont, Mount Dora, St. Augustine and Deltona locations. They also recently debuted a private screening option, in which an auditorium can be reserved for up to 20 people to watch an older title on select nights.
If you go: 5901 Hazeltine National Drive in Orlando; 2405 U.S.-27 in Clermont; 2300 Spring Harbor Blvd. in Mount Dora; 2505 S. Hopkins Ave. in Titusville; 4414 S.W. College Road in Ocala; 939 Hollywood Blvd. in Deltona; 8368 Merchants Way in Jacksonville; 112 Theatre Drive in St. Augustine; 1185 Central Ave. in Palm Coast; 2448 S. Federal Highway in Stuart; epictheatres.com
Picture Show Entertainment
Altamonte Springs’ Picture Show Entertainment reopens Aug. 21.
Guests can enjoy past award-winning movies such as “Sonic The Hedgehog,” “Knives Out,” “Inception,” “Trolls World Tour,” “Dolittle” and “The Invisible Man” during re-opening weekend at deeply discounted rates: $1 admission or 50 cents on Tuesdays. The theater also offers a VIP Experience, where up to 20 people can privately screen a movie.
Picture Show Entertainment’s safety measures include operating at 50 percent capacity; installing barriers to reduce contact between team members and guests; enforcing a 6-foot physical distance policy with floor signage; sanitizing touchpoints; requiring employees to wear personal protective equipment and wash hands frequently; requiring guests to wear face masks except when enjoying refreshments in the auditorium.
If you go: 130 E. Altamonte Drive, #1200, in Altamonte Springs; pictureshowent.com
Regal
Regal has announced it will reopen its movie theaters on Aug. 21.
The national chain will have similar new release offerings as AMC — “Unhinged,” “Words on Bathroom Walls” and “Cut Throat City” on Aug. 21, “The New Mutants” on Aug. 28 and “Tenet” on Sept. 3. Many Regal theaters will also present new release “Tulsa” and recently released “Peninsula” on Aug. 21 as well as new release “The Personal History of David Copperfield” on Aug. 28.
In addition to these new releases, theaters will screen library content (think “Jaws,” “Jurassic Park” and the Lord of the Rings movies), plus those that either had a limited run in theaters or went straight to video-on-demand — “Sonic the Hedgehog,” “Bloodshot” and more.
Regal’s reopening plans include new health and safety measures based on CDC guidelines and employee/moviegoer feedback.
A few of the measures include 50-percent reduced theater capacity; daily health screenings, hand washing every 30-60 minutes and masks for employees; contactless payment, plus in-app ticket and concession item purchasing; use of new electrostatic fogger equipment for sanitizing as well as increased cleaning of high-contact points; mandatory face mask requirements for patrons, except while seated and consuming food or drink; and closing every other register to maintain social distancing, closing self-service condiment stands, and suspending refills on large drink and popcorn refills.
If you go: 2141 N. Semoran Blvd. in Apopka; 510 N. Orlando Ave. in Winter Park; 9101 International Drive, suite 2100, in Orlando; 3232 N. John Young Parkway in Kissimmee; 1500 Oviedo Marketplace Blvd. in Oviedo; 541 N. Alafaya Trail in Orlando; regmovies.com
West Orange Cinema
This small, family-run cinema in Ocoee reopened on June 5 and has been showing classic movies, from “Jurassic Park” to “The Goonies.” The theater will screen new releases as they become available, including “Unhinged” on Aug. 21; “Bill & Ted Face the Music” and “The New Mutants” at the end of the month; and “Tenet” on Sept. 3. Plus, the theater is currently screening “Made in Italy,” which debuted Aug. 7.
West Orange Cinema is following not only CDC guidelines but also those set forth by the National Association of Theatre Owners, of which the cinema belongs. Employees have undergone training and must submit to temperature checks and wear masks. Patrons are also required to wear face masks, except while consuming food or drink. High-contact areas are frequently sanitized, auditoriums are cleaned between screenings and the entire building is fogged weekly. The company has altered its online reservation system to add buffer zones around seats once a ticket is purchased.
While Tenyl Bradford, the manager at West Orange Cinema, understands customers’ concerns about returning to theaters, she feels they have taken a lot of precautions.
“I don’t feel that we’re any more dangerous than if you were to go to a restaurant,” she said. “There’s nothing that’s more important to us than making sure everyone is safe and enjoys themselves.”
If you go: 1575 Maguire Road in Ocoee; westorange5.com
Before visiting these movie theaters, check their websites for updated safety information, movie times and more.
Want to reach out? Email me at kchristiansen@orlandosentinel.com. Find more fun things on Instagram @fun.things.orlando and Facebook @fun.things.orlando.
