People Won’t Go to the Movies Just Because They Can
Even though theaters are reopening, patrons won’t line up until they feel safe.
Don’t count on a full house.
Photographer: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Movie theaters are starting to open their doors again, but they probably won’t find many patrons lining up for tickets as Covid-19 fears continue to weigh on consumer decisions.
On Thursday, AMC Entertainment Inc. will reopen 170 of its theaters around the country, including in cities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Miami, Nashville, Philadelphia and St. Louis. That’s in addition to 115 other AMC cinemas that resumed operations last week. The company has a goal of getting two-thirds of its 600-theater circuit up and running in time for Warner Bros.’ Sept. 3 release of “Tenet,” a spy film directed by Christopher Nolan that was originally scheduled to have its box-office premiere in mid-July. Regal, a subsidiary of London-based Cineworld Group Plc, and Cinemark Holdings Inc. are also reopening the majority of their U.S. theaters timed to the “Tenet” premiere.