We have been unable to go to the cinema for weeks due to the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but it could change soon? The cinemas have a long way to the reopening, and though some theaters will soon be legally able to be open, it’s going to be a couple of months before you will be able to sit in the multiplex again.
Although a handful of states (including Georgia and Texashave started to give the theatres and similar businesses the okay to re-open as a stay-at-home orders expire, the owners of the theater, not necessarily on the board. In a press release shared by The Hollywood Reporterthe National Association of Theatre Owners, said in April that not reopening the time that is allowed.
“While some states and localities are beginning to authorize the opening of the cinema, under certain conditions, the film industry is also a national one,” NATO said. “Until the majority of the markets in the united states are open, and the main markets in particular, the new major release of the films are unlikely to be available,” the statement continued. “As a result, some theatres in certain areas that are permitted to open may be able economically to re-open with the repertoire of products; however, many of the theatres not being able to conceive open”.
The issues around the reopening of the theatres of the film are complicated and involve factors far beyond just the permission of the government. Movie theaters are based on a model of high capacity of detection and concessions sales; they are not going to be economically viable during a time when social distancing could reduce the capabilities of a 25% or 30 percent. Between restrictions and direct people to just be more careful, it could be a while before that is financially reasonable and a little strong for the theaters at the risk of reopening.
The other problem: there simply aren’t many releases to re-open it with. While there are still a couple of films scheduled for release during the summer, almost all of the summer of 2020 movie of the season has been decimated, with movies shuffled around a year in the future. In addition, even if more rural or sparse regions are able to open safely, the movies can’t open without the certainty of the sale of tickets, the large metropolitan areas, which no doubt will be the last to re-open.
“Unless New York and of THE open reality (this summer) – and that is only seeming more and more impossible, we – there is no way a studio is going to open a movieespecially a tentpole. Science and education is not going to allow that for him,” Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst for Exhibitor Relations, said USA today. Without the resource of a major event in the film, as well as some of the sense of security, it seems unlikely that the public will be eager to return to full cinemas now.
Major movie chains have already said they are targeting for the end of summer returns, although they are technically able to re-open this month by some of the states guidelines. Deadline reported that the main chains of Cinemark and AMC are taking a long-term approach to.
“[Cinemark] he is currently working towards the middle of summer, the opening date, contingent upon the health and safety regulations, as well as the availability of studio content,” said the company spokesman. “The first version, currently scheduled for Christopher Nolan’s Principle set of 17 July. It is important to note that the theatrical exhibition of a return to ‘normality’ can encompass several months, driven by the phasing of theater openings due to the government of the limits, the reduction of the hours of operation, the persistent social distancing and an acceleration of consumer comfort with public meetings.”
Meanwhile, AMC’s statement says in part, “the health and safety of our guests and associates is our absolute highest priority. To be able to open, we also have a line of sight on a regular schedule of new blockbusters to theatre to get people really excited about returning to their favorite movie theatres. The blockbusters are scheduled to return this summer, starting with Warner Brothers Principle and Disney Mulanwith many of the biggest titles scheduled immediately after. While we hope to open the theaters in the coming weeks for these new blockbusters, the use of the creative programming of the immensely popular in the previously released films, it would be prudent to do so directly before the publication of new titles of the film.”
Other movie chains are likely to have a similar approach, so even though theaters will be legally able to re-open soon, probably not until late summer at the earliest — and it will be even more before things get back to semi-normal.
