Movie theaters are a health risk. Or that’s what most people have thought during this pandemic. Theaters have suffered immensely from this arduous shut-down and haven’t been able to make any profits while they are closed.  The movie industry and most studios have suffered from this and they are in desperate need of reopening.

Luckily for them, theaters are finally reopening.

During the pandemic, many companies relied on online streaming services such as Disney-Plus, Netflix, or Hulu to release their movies to the public.  Even with this alternative, however, the companies that produce movies have suffered great economic loss.  Not only have the theaters been shut down, but the production of movies and shows have been slowed, if not halted altogether.  The entire industry has been struggling for the past year due to all of these shut-downs and mandates, but with the upcoming reopening of theaters and public film viewings, hope is returning.

Production has already started on many shows and movies that are set to come out this year and many actors and filming studios are back in business.  There are many precautions being taken, however, but they are determined to keep the business rolling.

When theaters reopen, there are going to be many changes made to the way they work.  In some areas, masks will still be required during the viewings of films and movies that are being played.  No doubt, there will be separated seats and the audience will have to be spaced out to watch the movie.  Food may or may not be served before or during movies based off of the theater and its’ policies.

At first, theaters won’t have many movies to show, due to halted production, but they will be happy to just be open and earning money again for now. Sheryl spoke on the reopening saying “We’ll just be happy to go back into the cinema again.  Before the pandemic, we went almost every week and we always looked forward to it.  We’d be happy to go back even if we had to wear a mask or not buy any popcorn.  We’d just be happy to go back.”  When asked if she would pay extra because theaters need the money, she said “I’d be happy to give a little extra.  Since they were shut down all this time they need it! We also just want to go back there to watch movies again.”

Many people have wanted theaters to reopen for a very long time.  Companies, parents, couples, enthusiasts, teenagers, and children all want to go back to a theater, get a bag of buttery popcorn, sit in quiet rows, and experience their favorite actors playing incredible characters.  Watching a movie in theaters isn’t just an activity, but an experience and a truly amazing one too.  Many memories are made in theaters, and with them closed, there is nothing like them.  A movie enthusiast, Josh Delk, a sophomore in high school, said “Watching a movie in theaters is a great time, and I really wish I could go back.” The movie theaters in his area are still closed and he stated “I don’t know why they aren’t open – I feel like they could definitely find a way to make it work, like other places are open so why can’t they be.”

Many theaters fear getting shut down due to inefficient safety or cleanliness standards and so they remain closed until they are at less of a risk from the pandemic.  The audience just wants to be in the many rows of a dark theater watching a movie again. Brooks Coleman, a junior at Lafayette high school, said “I feel like we’ve missed out on a whole lot during this pandemic with like Marvel movies and stuff.” “It’s not like they couldn’t do it safely.”  It appears that many people are upset over this specific business type shutting down and believe that it is mostly unnecessary.

With some theaters starting to reopen, there is hope again for the numerous people that enjoy the many shows and films on the big screen.  Not to mention the feeling of relief that many companies have because they can finally release their products again. There is still a long way to go and many precautions to still take, but it’s a start.