When movie theaters decided to shutter nationwide, AMC was the only theater chain to put a timetable on when they might decide to reopen. Regal, Cinemark & Alamo Drafthouse took an "until further notice" approach but AMC said they could be closed 6-12 weeks. It has been a couple of weeks since all the chains have closed and now AMC's CEO is giving some more insight as to when they hope to be open to the public again.
AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron is forecasting that shuttered U.S. movie theaters may reopen by mid-June. This comes after the chain closed its 600 stateside locations on March 17 as the COVID-19 pandemic became a real problem in the U.S.
"We said we expected to be shut for six to 12 weeks. That would be May 1 to mid-June. That might be more the right timing."
Aron spoke to CNBC's "Squawk Alley" where he reaffirmed that timetable once again. He added that no one could forecast cinema reopenings with precision but he's hopeful that the mid-June forecast will be accurate. He also believes that once they reopen, moviegoers will want to get back in the seats again:
"I think if we learned anything in the last two weeks is people just so want to get out of their houses. I think we’re all feeling cooped up and want to get out and have life return to normal."
The real question is, if they decide to reopen in mid-June, will there be any movies to show the public? So many films are vacating their summer release dates with MORBIUS & GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE being the latest titles to delay their releases after originally being set to hit screens this summer. Some titles still remain on the summer calendar like TOP GUN: MAVERICK (June 24), TENET (July 17) & JUNGLE CRUISE (July 24) but I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't make moves if the pandemic still proves to be a problem heading into the May. The most viable summer release as of now is WONDER WOMAN 1984 which moved from June 5 to August 14 to put some distance between itself and the coronavirus.
Speaking for myself, I'm going to want to get back to the movies. Perhaps I should be more concerned about getting back out there once it's deemed to be ok but I really don't want to live my life afraid to be out in the public once again because of this. I miss going to the movies. My 7.1 surround sound and 65" 4K TV is nothing compared to the true movies theater experience and I'm realizing that now that we've been forced to let it go. The sooner we can get back to the multiplex, the better in my eyes.
Do YOU think AMC can open again by mid-June?