AMC Theatre Reopening Date Announced; DC Locations Excluded

WASHINGTON, DC — AMC Theatres on Thursday announced more than 100 of its theaters will reopen by Aug. 20, and another 300 theaters will reopen between Aug. 27 and Sept 3 after months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a bonus, the movie theater chain said guests will pay just 15 cents per movie on that day.

The District's two AMC Theatres will not be reopening until local guidelines allow. D.C. is currently in phase two of its phased reopening. As such, mass gatherings are limited to 50 people. Individuals may apply for a Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA) waiver to hold entertainment events. Without a waiver, theatres and cinemas must remain closed.

This affects the District's two AMC locations:

• AMC Georgetown 14 (3111 K St., N.W.)
• AMC Mazza Gallerie 7 (5300 Wisconsin Ave., N.W.)

AMC said after the initial 100 reopenings, another 300 theaters will open in the two weeks that follow with the major movie releases of Disney’s “The New Mutants” on Aug. 28 and Warner Bros.’ “Tenet” on Sept. 3.

AMC closed all of its theaters in March and several reopening plans were scrapped amid surges in coronavirus cases in the United States.

AMC Theatres has 13 locations in Maryland and 13 in Virginia.

“We are thrilled to once again open our doors to American moviegoers who are looking for an opportunity to get out of their houses and apartments and escape into the magic of the movies,” said Adam Aron, CEO and president of AMC Theatres, in a statement.

After originally stating in June guests would not be required to wear masks when theaters reopened, AMC Theatres reversed the policy following online backlash. All guests will be required to wear masks at all times with the exception being while eating and drinking.

The company also announced a number of other health and safety policies that will be in place in response to coronavirus guidelines including fewer touch points, simplified menus for shorter lines at concessions and reduced auditorium capacities for social distancing. A complete list of new policies can be found here.

AMC Theatres said 15 cent ticket prices (plus sales tax) will only be available on Aug. 20 to celebrate the company’s 100-year anniversary with “Movies in 2020 at 1920 Prices.” While offered on all available seats, to achieve social distancing, seating capacity will be significantly reduced, according to the company.

AMC Theatres will also begin rolling out a $5 ticket promotion in the coming weeks and months of bring-back titles such as a 10th anniversary of “Inception” event, “Black Panther,” “Back to the Future,” “Ghostbusters,” “Grease,” and “Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back.” There will also be a number of food and beverage deals available.

AMC has 1,000 locations across the globe, with more than 11,000 screens, according to its website.