AMC Theaters Reopening at 15 Cents a Ticket
2020 movies at 1920 prices.
Since the pandemic first forced them to close in March, AMC Theaters has had several misfires in their attempts to reopen, mostly in the United States. They originally announced back in June that they were shooting for a mid-July reopening, but were forced to delay to the end of July due to a lack of new movies coming out, then delay again to August for the same reason. It seems, though, that they’ve finally got their ducks in a row, and, as it just so happens, on their hundred-year anniversary.
To celebrate the anniversary of its founding in Kansas City, Missouri way back in 1920, AMC’s grand reopening on August 20 will be accompanied by ticket prices at a microscopic 15 cents a pop. Several hundred theaters will reopen, with more to come over the next several weeks, culminating in at least 600 theater openings by the time Warner Bros.’ new feature film Tenet premieres on September 3.
AMC still has a problem, though: Hollywood is still frozen in place due to the pandemic. To tide audiences over until some new movies come out, AMC will be showing major films from its back catalog that have packed theaters over the last few decades. Standouts from this selection include Black Panther, Back to the Future, The Empire Strikes Back, and Inception. Tickets will only be 15 cents on reopening day, but tickets to these throwback showings will be drastically reduced from the norm to a mere $5. Concessions will also be discounted.
“We are thrilled to once again open our doors to American moviegoers who are looking for an opportunity to get out of their houses and apartments and escape into the magic of the movies,” AMC CEO Adam Aron said on Thursday.
To accommodate the new normal, AMC theaters have implemented a variety of new health and safety protocols, including reduced theater capacity, improved ventilation systems, and requiring all staff and customers to wear masks (though I’m not quite sure how you’re supposed to wear a mask while eating popcorn).