The movie industry has been hard hit by the pandemic, with most theaters closed since last spring. AMC Theatres, which is based in Kansas City, reopened Thursday night in several area theaters with 15-cent tickets.
This reflected ticket prices in 1920, when AMC was founded with a single-screen theater at 12th Street and Grand Boulevard in Kansas City, according to the company. Starting Friday, August 21, throwback movies will be priced at $5, including a special 10th anniversary of “Inception” event, “Black Panther,” “Back to the Future,” “Grease” and “Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back.” The theaters also will offer special $5 snack deals through October, and AMC Stubs members will earn double points on all purchases.
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Newer movies, such as “Unhinged,” “Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula,” “Cut Throat City” and “Words on Bathroom Walls” also will be available at normal admission prices, starting Aug. 21. The rollout of deals leads up to two anticipated new releases: Disney’s “The New Mutants” on Aug. 28 and Warner Bros.’ “Tenant” on Sept. 3.
The local theaters reopening are:
- Ward Parkway 14
- Independence 20
- Town Center 20
- Barrywoods 24
- Dine-In Studio 28
- Legends 14
- Prairiefire 17
As local gathering restrictions continue, ticket availability will be limited to allow social distancing, the company stated. The initial reopening is a part of a phased plan to open about two-thirds of its more than 600 theaters by September 3. The other theaters will follow when state and local officials allow.
Theaters will continuously undergo enhanced cleaning procedures, which were developed in tandem with Harvard’s School of Public Health as well as The Clorox Co. More time between movies will allow for better cleaning; reserved seats will implement social distancing; deep cleaning will happen nightly; and air filtration has been upgraded.
AMC previously had planned to reopen in July but pushed back its reopening again last month, citing delays in movie release dates. Some of the year’s biggest movies have continually been delayed, including DC’s “Wonder Woman,” which is now scheduled to launch in October; Disney’s “Mulan,” which has been pushed to August; and Marvel’s “Black Widow,” now set for November.
–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice