When are movie theaters reopening in South Florida? Two are about to, with COVID rules
AMC Theatres plans to reopen a couple venues in Broward County on Aug. 20 with COVID-19 restrictions in place and a throwback marketing lure.
A spokeswoman for Broward County says that the theaters are permitted to open after fulfilling some county requirements — which include the submission and approval of a reopening and operation plan for COVID-19 mitigation and sanitation.
COVID-19 protocols
The theaters’ new COVID protocols will have them open at 30% capacity, with empty seats and rows to allow for social distancing. Masks must be worn at all times, including during the screenings, but can be removed to eat or drink items purchased from the concession stands. Not all items will be back on sale, either, to reduce time in line. Self-serve and soda refills, for example, are not going to be available until the pandemic is under control.
The exchange of cash is also frowned upon, especially at concession stands to minimize handling of money and food prep, so AMC asks that you pay with a debit or credit card, some other touchless system, or via AMC gift cards.
Centennial Celebration promo price
Since AMC was founded in 1920 in Kansas City — two years after the 1918 pandemic — the company plans a “Centennial Celebration” launch with a “Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices” promo.
This means that on that day, in theaters allowed to open — none in Miami-Dade where there are more coronavirus cases and deaths than anywhere else in the state — admission price will be 15 cents a seat, socially distanced, of course.
Opened theaters and coming movies
Two theaters are on tap to reopen:
▪ AMC Coral Ridge 10.
▪ AMC Pembroke Lakes 9.
Nationwide, AMC is looking to open more than 100 locations on Aug. 20.
After that, about 200 more will reopen with the release of Disney’s “The New Mutants” on Aug. 28 and Warner Bros. “Tenet” on Sept. 3.
On the 20th, most of the movie choices will be oldies but at least they aren’t as old as the silent films of the 1920s AMC moviegoers first saw back then. Think, instead, of the recent “Black Panther” and a 10th anniversary release of “Inception,” along with 1978’s “Grease” and 1980s fare like “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Ghostbusters” and “Back to the Future.”
Tickets for those movies, after the Aug. 20 promo, will be $5.
Coming new movies, like “Unhinged,” “Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula,” “Cut Throat City,” “Infidel” and “The King’s Man” will be at regular admission prices, which vary by location.
For full title and showtime information, visit amctheatres.com.
This story was originally published August 13, 2020 at 1:09 PM.
