Following in the footsteps of AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas has decided to push back the reopening of its screens until the end of July. Cineworld, the second-largest exhibitor in the world and owner of Regal Cinemas, will also hit pause on reopening locations in the UK as well until the end of the month.
The new re-launch date of July 31 pushes the chain from its planned return date of July 10. The news of the postponement comes on the heels of the release date shifts for Christopher Nolan's TENET and Disney's MULAN, which pushed the two tentpole releases from opening in July to August. TENET came off of its July 31 date, after previously being expected to open on July 17, and will now hit screens on August 12. MULAN, originally set for March before moving to July 24, will now head into battle on August 21. Movie theatre chains had been planning their reopenings around the release date of these films in particular and Cineworld released a statement that echoes the fact that watching those films shift into the next month, is the primary reason they decided to delay the reopening:
"In line with recent changes to upcoming film release dates, we have made the decision to move our re-opening date to 31st July. We hope that we will be able to re-open the doors of all Cineworld cinemas across the U.K. and Ireland at that time, subject to U.K. government restrictions. With the on-going pandemic, this new date remains subject to final confirmation. We know how much you’ve been missing the cinema and we are excited to welcome you back to Cineworld soon! With great films ahead, including Mulan, Tenet, A Quiet Place Part II, Wonder Woman 1984 and many more."
The reopening shuffle could possibly continue if these films are shifted again by their respective studios. While California has given the go-ahead for movie theaters to begin reopening, Los Angeles County hasn't approved movie theaters to open their doors again and, as of yesterday, the county decided to put movie theater openings on "hard pause" as a COVID-19 spike in the area has concerned health officials. New York City, as of last week, also didn't add movie theater openings to their Phase 4 plans of reopening their economy. These two locations represent the biggest box office markets in the U.S. and studios NEED these areas to open up to justify opening $200 million films like TENET or MULAN. I have an unpleasant feeling in my gut that if Los Angeles County and New York City doesn't make moves to open their theaters as we get closer to the new August release dates of these films, studios may push them further on the calendar which could lead to another stall on the part of chains like AMC and Regal.
Do YOU think Regal Cinemas will keep its relaunch date of July 31?