The familiar tradition of going to the movies returns to Pennsylvania to give its residents a portion of the normality lost during the pandemic. After more than five months of being closed, some Philadelphia-area movie theaters will reopen Thursday.
AMC is preparing to reopen dozens of Pennsylvania locations, including three in the Philadelphia region with a special promotion only for Thursday. Moviegoers will pay $0.15 per ticket as part of the chain’s “Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices.”
The AMC closed all of its theaters in March and several reopening plans were discarded amidst the waves of coronavirus cases in the United States. After originally stating in June guests would not be required to wear masks when theaters reopened, AMC reversed the policy following online backlash.
The reopening implies that the company implements a series of health and safety policies in response to the coronavirus guidelines. These guidelines include fewer touch points, simplified menus for shorter lines at concessions. The capacity of the auditoriums to ensure social distancing will also be reduced.
AMC said it is also intensifying cleaning practices, and will add extra time between movies so crews can disinfect the auditoriums. Auditoriums will be disinfected with new electrostatic disinfectant sprayers. To improve air quality, AMC said it has upgraded its HVAC systems with MERV 13 filters “wherever possible.”
If you miss the $0.15 promotion Thursday, there are additional bargains to be had. AMC will also begin rolling out a $5 ticket promotion in the coming weeks and months of bring-back titles, such as a 10th anniversary of “Inception” vent, “Black Panther,” “Back to the Future,” “Ghostbusters,” “Grease,” and others.
“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,” said Adam Aron, CEO and president of AMC Theatres, in a statement announcing the reopening.
Theaters in Pennsylvania set to reopen Thursday include: AMC Marple 10, AMC Neshaminy 24 and AMC Plymouth Meeting Mall 12 .
Other area theaters will open in the coming days and weeks, including:AMC Painters Crossing 9, AMC Woodhaven 10 and AMC CLASSIC Granite Run Mall 8.