Movie Theaters Officially Re-Opening

With the Corona Virus Pandemic starting to slow down, the CDC has decided to lift certain restrictions, allowing for the movie theaters to be back and open for business. It’s no secret that COVID brought everyone’s life to an unexpected halt. What we might not have known was that 5 plus months of sitting at home with nothing to do and nowhere to go would follow our initial response. Well, it’s finally time for the boredom to end, because one of the world’s leading entertainment industries is finally back. 

Beginning on August 20th, movie theaters across the United States began to re-open, with safety measures of course. On August 28, our local movie theater here in Williamsburg, Regal New Town, opened its doors to the public.  Things are definitely going to look different, but at least we’re able to be back in the theater with a bag of popcorn, watching movies as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen. 

The move theaters are taking many precautions in order to ensure the safety of is employees and its customers. If you head to the Regal New Town website, you’ll see a special section just for COVID. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the theater re-openings from snacks to social distancing. Perhaps the biggest change you will see in the rules is that everyone must wear a mask unless eating or drinking. There will be employees that come into the theater periodically to check and make sure this rule is followed. Most theaters are still serving food and beverages, just with a limited menu, but don’t worry, you can still get your popcorn and candy with no problem!

As well as having a limited menu, many theaters that would normally have your food served directly to you have eliminated that option until further notice. Every employee will receive a health screening daily and is required to wash their hands every 30 to 60 minutes. 

Social distancing rules must be followed within the theater. You are to allow 2 unoccupied seats between every party (one if there are recliner seats). Some of the other changes include pre purchased tickets and hand sanitizer dispensers placed throughout the lobby. Anyone who does not cooperate with these new rules can and will be asked to leave the theater.

This all may seem overwhelming at first but think about it this way: every rule has been put in place to make sure you have the perfect balance of safety and comfort as you and your family get back to fun! 

You may be wondering what movies will be playing, since Hollywood has been out of production for quite some time now. Well, the theaters have gotten creative about how to make sure audiences can still have plenty of movie options to choose from. They are bringing back some classic favorites such as “Jurassic Park,” “The Empire Strikes back,” and “The Land Before Time.” Ryley Carne, a senior at Lafayette High School, said that she has already been back to movies twice since the re-opening. One of those movies was Jurassic Park. “It was nice seeing a classic on the big screen because there weren’t many other people in the theater and it felt special.” She also explained that “You shouldn’t be afraid to go back to the theatre because no one is ever close than 6 feet a apart and every employee wears gloves and a mask.” Ryley had a great time being back in the movie theater and she can’t wait to go back again. 

Along with these older classics, theaters are re-showing some popular movies

that came out right before quarantine started. Some of these include “Jumanji: The Next Level” and “Black Panther.” (The decision to add the latter back to the showings list was most likely to pay tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away on August 28th.) The best part about these classic movies is that they are only 5 dollars, or 3 dollars for a child, to go and see. It makes the movies so much more enjoyable when you know you don’t have to break your wallet to go see one.

However, these older movies are not all that is being showed. When Hollywood shut down, they already had a few movies that

were completed and ready to premiere. Unfortunately, due to the Corona Virus, those premiere dates were postponed to a later date. Luckily, that later date is now! Some of these include “Black Widow,” “Words on Bathroom Walls,” The New Mutants,” and “Tenet.” Since these movies are new to the public, they will be priced regularly. 

It may seem strange to sit in a movie theater with your mask on. Maybe it might seem stranger to go see a movie for only 5 dollars. Whatever the case, it’s exciting for everyone to be able to watch movies on the big screen again, after six months stuck in your living room. With new safety measures in place and a whole list of entertaining movies to see, the movie theaters are back and a great place to spend a day with your friends our family.