Movie theaters set to reopen with reduced capacity, cashless tickets and staggered showtimes

Contactless tickets. Sparkling surfaces. Half-empty theaters. No refills.

These are just a few of the changes that will be in effect as the largest movie theater chains begin opening up worldwide, with safety as a priority, two major companies said Wednesday.

Both Regal and Cinemark announced they would start showing movies this month and next, introducing options such as cash-free online transactions, staggered showtimes, reduced theater capacity, lots and lots of cleaning and other measures to decontaminate surfaces and ensure social distancing protocols.

Movie chains across the U.S. are starting to reopen as restrictions loosen.

The protocols involve thoroughly disinfecting contaminated surfaces, though less clear was how airborne droplets would be eradicated — especially since, in places where masks are not legally required, each company said guests would be “encouraged” to wear them.

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Regal will reopen beginning July 10 with new health and safety measures based on guidelines provided from the CDC and other public health organizations, the company said in a statement. “The plan also includes safety measures based on feedback received from employees and moviegoers they have deemed most important for their return.”

Concessions and tickets will be available via contactless payment, Regal said. In addition, every auditorium and seat will be sanitized after every movie showing, using state-of-the-art electrostatic “fogger” equipment, a “form of deep sanitization [that] is highly effective in disinfecting all materials with a non-toxic formula that is fast drying,” Regal said.

High-contact points will be sanitized frequently at both Regal and Cinemark, and floor markers will guide guests on how far apart to stand.

Employees will undergo daily health screenings, such as temperature checks, be required to wash their hands every 30 to 60 minutes, depending on their job, and wear masks “where required by local governance,” both Regal and Cinemark said.

Greeters will be on hand in Regal’s lobbies to assist people with the new procedures, wall-mounted hand sanitizer will be liberally available, vending machines and water fountains will be shut down, and in many cases arcade games will be closed.

The chain’s 549 theaters offer 7,211 screens in 42 states, plus American Samoa, the District of Columbia, Guam and Saipan.

Inside the theater, only 50% capacity will be allowed, with two empty seats between each group, a practice Cinemark also said it would put in place.

“Auditoriums will have limited capacities that meet or exceed local ordinances, and the seats adjacent to parties will be automatically blocked upon ticket purchase,” Cinemark said in a statement. “In accordance with CDC recommendations, guests are strongly encouraged to wear face masks. Where applicable, Cinemark will adhere to local policies that require residents to wear face masks in public.”

Cinemark outlined similar measures amid plans to open in Dallas as early as Friday, with the bulk of the openings taking place between July 3 and 17, parent company Cinemark Holdings Inc. announced. The theater chain operates under the Century, Tinseltown and Rave logos, in 555 theatres with 6,145 screens in 41 states, plus in 15 countries throughout South and Central America.

“The reopening of our theatres is going to be a celebration, and we invite moviegoers to join us for special welcome back pricing on what we’re calling ‘Comeback Classics,’ as well as traditional concession favorites,” Cinemark CEO Mark Zoradi said. “Our teams are trained, prepared and eager to once again entertain movie lovers in an environment that cannot be replicated in-home.”