Regal Cinemas will reopen eleven movie theaters in New York state for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began in March.
Regal announced late Tuesday that its Destiny USA location will reopen Friday, Oct. 23, along with theaters in Albany (Colonie Center, Crossgates); Buffalo (Walden Galleria); Orchard Park (Quaker Crossing); Deer Park; Lynbrook; New Rochelle (New Roc); Poughkeepsie (Galleria Mall); Victor (Eastview Mall); and Westbury.
“We are grateful to finally have initial guidelines from the state. With the implementation of robust health and safety measures as a part of our commitment to the CinemaSafe protocols, our New York theatres and staff are thoroughly prepared for a safe and sustainable reopening. After seven months, we are thrilled to welcome back our beloved staff and customers,” said Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Regal’s parent company Cineworld. “We are sure that the next step will be opening of cinemas in New York City, which is still critical for the recovery of the industry.”
Regal’s list did not include Great Northern Mall and ShoppingTown Mall, which appear to be staying closed for good. The signs for each theater have been taken down, and Regal removed their locations from its website.
Great Northern recently sued Regal, saying the theater stopped paying rent in November 2019, five months before the pandemic closed theaters, and now owes $703,439. ShoppingTown, meanwhile, said last month its tenants had 30 days to leave.
Other movie theaters planning to open Friday include The Movie Tavern in Camillus, Manlius Art Cinema, Hollywood Theatre in Mattydale, and Oswego Cinema 7, along with some of AMC Theatres' Upstate New York locations.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo said theaters can reopen, outside of New York City, at 25 percent capacity and can have no more than 50 movie goers in front of each screen. Theaters can only open in counties with no Covid-19 cluster zones and positive rates below 2 percent.
Other restrictions include: Masks are required at all times except when seated and eating or drinking; seats must be assigned; social distancing is required at all times; and theaters must meet enhanced air filtration, ventilation and purification standards.
What movies will be shown?
Syracuse’s Movie Tavern website says it will show Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” the new Liam Neeson thriller “Honest Thief,” the new Robert De Niro comedy “The War with Grandpa,” Russell Crowe’s “Unhinged,” the X-Men horror film “The New Mutants,” the supernatural crime drama “The Empty Man,” and classic titles like “Casper,” “Hocus Pocus” and “Monsters Inc.”
The Hollywood Theatre said it plans to show the 1978 horror movie “Halloween,” Disney’s “Hocus Pocus” and the 2019 animated reboot of “The Addams Family” this weekend. Oswego Cinema 7′s website lists “Halloween,” “Tenet” and “The War with Grandpa.”
Regal has not announced movie listings yet.
New titles will be limited at first as many release dates were delayed or shifted online due to Covid-19. Classic movies or films given a limited release earlier this year will help fill screens.
AMC says upcoming releases include “The Empty Man” on Oct. 23, “Come Play” on Oct. 30, “Let Him Go” on Nov. 6, “Freaky” on Nov. 13 and “The Croods: A New Age” on Nov. 25. Several big titles are tentatively scheduled for December, including Ryan Reynolds' “Free Guy” (Dec. 11), “Coming 2 America” (Dec. 18), and “Wonder Woman 1984” (Dec. 25).
AMC Theatres and Movie Tavern are also offering rentals for an entire theater. AMC says private parties cost $99 and are capped at 20 people; films can include new releases or classics like “Shrek,” “Hocus Pocus” and “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”