AMC, Regal close all movie theaters amid coronavirus pandemic

March 17, 2020
Hollywood

Two of the country’s largest theater chains, AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas, have shut down nationwide amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Nearly all of the nation’s movie screens have gone dark after AMC, the largest movie chain in North America, announced Tuesday that it would close for at least six to 12 weeks.

A day earlier, Regal Cinemas, the second largest chain, announced the closure until further notice of 542 theaters across the country, representing 7,155 screens in 42 states.

The largest chains had tried to remain open, even as Hollywood studios postponed their major releases and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing steadily diminished the recommended size of crowds. But after the federal government on Monday urged against gatherings of more than 10 people, AMC said it was “essentially impossible” to continue operations.

“We are ever so disappointed for our moviegoing guests and for our employee teams,” AMC CEO and President Adam Aron said in a statement. “Still, the health and well-being of AMC guests and employees, and of all Americans, takes precedence above all else.”

Earlier:Movie ticket sales plunge to lowest in 20 years as a result of coronavirus pandemic

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Regal Cinemas has announced it will close 542 theaters to limit the spread of coronavirus.

“It’s our goal to provide a safe and healthy environment for our employees and guests,” said Mooky Greidinger, CEO of Regal’s parent company Cineworld, in Monday’s statement. “At this time, we have made the difficult decision to close our theaters.”

Cinemark, the nation’s third-largest chain, hasn’t yet announced closures, but smaller chains including Alamo Drafthouse, Landmark Theatres, Showcase Cinemas and Bow Tie Cinemas have.

Austin-based Alamo described the situation as “devastating” on its website: “When we re-open after this unprecedented and indefinite hiatus, it will be in a dramatically altered world, and in an industry that’s been shaken to its core.”

Last weekend, ticket sales plunged to their lowest levels in at least 20 years at the weekend box office for U.S. and Canadian theaters. More people went to the movies the weekend after Sept. 11, 2001, according Comscore.

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