Texas movie theaters allowed to open this Friday after COVID-19 closures

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Following in the footsteps of Georgia, Texas is allowing their movie theaters to reopen this Friday. Texas Governor Greg Abbott made the announcement yesterday which also included reopen approval for restaurants, museums, and retail stores.

Governor Abbott is aware that many companies will still choose to remain closed for the time being and that seems to be the case for major theater chains in the state which aren't planning on opening their doors until early July to prepare for the few major studio releases that are on the way, including TENET, MULAN & WONDER WOMAN 1984. When news started to spread that Texas was allowing their theaters to reopen, the folks over at Alamo Drafthouse wanted to make it clear to Texas residents that they would not be among the group of theater chains reopening their doors this week: 

Local theater chains may actually take the opportunity to reopen this Friday and they'll be in the clear as long as they are following social distancing guidelines. Governor Abbott laid out the guildlines for reopening which included being allowed to only operate at 25% capacity. This capacity cap could work for smaller theaters but may have been uneconomical for larger theater chains, which is another reason they're choosing to hold off opening until at least July so that more of the restrictions can be lifted.

There is also the issue that no new movies are opening until July so how will even the smallest of theater chains thrive in this current climate? The option is to screen older titles which seems to be the plan of most theater chains when they reopen in order to ease moviegoers back into going to the movies again. This could also be a good move for smaller art house theaters but this early reopening stage is going to be all trial and error as they ease back into some normalcy.

Do YOU agree with Georgia and Texas reopening theaters this early? Will it even be worth it?