The entire world is in a tricky spot as businesses need to make money, but are also helping spread the coronavirus by remaining open. AMC has made an attempt to help by reducing its seating capacity to 50%, but it’s not enough when facing a global pandemic such as this.
No matter, AMC’s hand has been forced with the delay of several major motion pictures and Universal breaking the theatrical window with The Hunt and The Invisible Man, and Warner Bros. with Harley Quinn/Birds of Prey.
In another unprecedented development, the theater chain is closing all of its U.S. locations for at least six to 12 weeks as cinemas across the country go dark due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports THR.
This timeline assumes containment and it should be noted that things could become exponentially worse.
AMC — the largest chain in the country with roughly 630 locations and 11,000 screens — made its announcement Monday night after a raft of other circuits announced closures throughout the day, beginning with Regal Cinemas, the second-largest movie chain in the U.S.
If you have the expendable cash in this crisis, I’d like to implore you to restrain from canceling any of your entertainment subscriptions, or, at the very least, purchase some gift cards to use at a later date.
More importantly and for everyone’s safety, STAY INDOORS.
UPDATE: All Cinemark theaters will also shut down beginning 3/18.