Regal Cinemas has just announced that they will close all of their locations in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a set of tweets sent out on Monday (March 16), the U.S. theater chain revealed that they would be closing all of their locations beginning tomorrow (Tuesday, March 17), “as a precaution amid the current circumstances.”
“All theaters will remain closed until further notice. Please check back soon. We look forward to serving you again as soon as possible,” tweeted the movie theater chain.
Regal announces closure of all theatre locations starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, as a precaution amid the current circumstances. All theatres will remain closed until further notice. Please check back soon. We look forward to serving you again as soon as possible.
— Regal (@RegalMovies) March 16, 2020
In addition, Regal also announced that all payments for their all Unlimited members program would be suspended beginning Tuesday (March 17) until at which time the theater deems it safe to reopen its multiple locations.
“It’s our goal to provide a safe and healthy environment for our employees and guests. We value your patronage and have no doubt we will be serving you again as soon as possible with a full slate of Hollywood blockbusters,” wrote the company.
It’s our goal to provide a safe and healthy environment for our employees and guests. We value your patronage and have no doubt we will be serving you again as soon as possible with a full slate of Hollywood blockbusters.
— Regal (@RegalMovies) March 16, 2020
The decision to shut down amid the current coronavirus pandemic is no doubt incredibly significant — especially given that Regal Cinemas serves as the second largest movie theater chain in the United States. In total, the company has 7,155 screens in 542 theaters located in 42 sates.
Their announcement today makes Regal the first major theater chain to close its doors.
Alamo Drafthouse also followed suit, revealing the same day that they have decided to temporarily close all of its corporate-owned locations. In addition, all of their franchise-owned locations (save for the one in Winchester, VA, which remains opened) will also be closed.
“Guests, colleagues. And friends… thank you, and good luck,” tweeted the cinema chain, while also linking to a full statement regarding their decision to close up shop for the time being. “We’ll see you soon.”
Guests, colleagues, and friends… thank you, and good luck. We’ll see you soon. https://t.co/RHk5E71arm pic.twitter.com/u8s4Ds4Eh2
— Alamo Drafthouse (@alamodrafthouse) March 17, 2020
In addition, Landmark Theaters– an arthouse chain with 49 locations in the U.S.– also announced that they would be closing all locations.
“All Landmark Theaters are temporarily closed beginning tonight. This decision allows our staff to remain at home during this critical time,” tweeted the arthouse chain. “We will be consistently re-evaluating the best way forward to all of our locations. Thank you for your loyalty.”
All #LandmarkTheatres are temporarily closed beginning tonight. This decision allows our staff to remain at home during this critical time.
We will be constantly re-evaluating the best way forward at all of our locations. Thank you for your loyalty.
— Landmark Theatres (US) (@LandmarkLTC) March 16, 2020
Yet to follow in Regal Cinemas’ footsteps is fellow big theater chain, AMC. In lieu of a temporary shutdown, AMC revealed last week that they would be cutting its seating capacity by 50 percent in an effort to publicly address concerns about the coronavirus. They’ve since slashed that number to only sell 50 tickets per showing in an effort to encourage social distancing.