Despite COVID-19 Raging On, Movie Theaters in the U.S. Are Reopening. This Is What It Looks Like.
For the foreseeable future, this is what going to the movies will look like. That it's happening at all right now is hard to comprehend.
By ![franklin, tennessee august 20 patrons watch a movie at amc dine in thoroughbred 20 on august 20, 2020 in franklin, tennessee amc theaters reopened more than 100 of its movie theaters across the united states today for the first time since closing in march because of the coronavirus covid 19 pandemic with a 15 cent ticket price promotion and new safety precautions in place according to amc, enhanced cleaning and safety protocols include disinfecting theaters before each show, mandatory face coverings for employees and customers, upgraded air filtration systems where possible, and high touch points cleaned throughout the day hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes are available throughout the theaters, auditoriums are at 40 percent capacity or less photo by jason kempingetty images](https://hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/gettyimages-1267400310.jpg?crop=1.00xw:0.752xh;0,0.159xh&resize=1200:* "AMC Theatres Reopens Its Doors By Celebrating 100 Years Of Operations With "Movies In 2020 At 1920 Prices"")
Here’s something truly, deeply bizarre: Google Tenet, and depending on where you live, you might actually see those little modules with theaters and upcoming showtimes pop up. Ready or not, movie theaters—one of the first public-space casualties of the coronavirus pandemic—are going to start reopening in the coming months, with films like Christopher Nolan’s Tenet hoping to draw out crowds.
First up? Major chains such as Cinemark, AMC Theaters, Regal Cinemas, and Alamo Drafthouse. The theaters will implement measures aimed at increasing safety for guests—including reducing theater capacities, requiring them to wear masks, and beefing up sanitation efforts. In the coming weeks, we’ll see how ready America is to return to seeing movies on the big screen—and what, if any, the cost of that will be. In the meantime, here’s a look at the theatergoers who have already made the expedition to AMC theaters across the country.
Sara Commarota cleans the plexiglass shield at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. AMC Theatres reopened more than 100 of its movie theaters across the United States on Thursday, with new safety precautions in place, for the first time since closing in March because of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Patrons watch the "Sonic the Hedge Hog" movie at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Kyle Curtis cleans a the theater with an electrostatic disinfectant spray machine at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
An employee cleans the counter at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Movie goers buy tickets at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Supervisor Patrics Davis (L) and Tyler Salazar get drinks for customers at AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A customer is seen buying popcorn at AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20 on August 20 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Movie goers watch a film at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Customers are seen buying tickets at AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20 on August 20 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Patrons watch a movie at AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20 on August 20 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Disinfecting wipes are seen at AMC DINE-IN Thoroughbred 20 on August 20 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Zach Fontana sanitizes a plexiglass safety shield divider at the concession stand at AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Adrian Ace (L) and Danielle McNeal, both of Nevada, get snacks at a concession stand before seeing the movie "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" at AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
People enter AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Ajana Robertson uses an electrostatic disinfectant sprayer to sanitize auditorium seats after a show at AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Socially-distanced guests wait for the movie "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" to start at AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
An employee greets customers at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
An employee cleans a the theater with an electrostatic disinfectant spray machine at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Employees Devan Daugette and Bella Torres joke around with the party hats at the AMC Highlands Ranch 24 on August 20 in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
John Gray of Nevada gets snacks at a concession stand at AMC Town Square 18 on August 20 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Best Tennis Movies of All Time
10 Shows Like ‘Shōgun’ to Watch Next
Watch: The 'Family Guy' Cast Celebrate 25 Years
Why Have Hollywood Titles Been So Bad Lately?
