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The Slow Return of Your Local Movie Theater

This summer some big screens will be back in business What s this mean for you

A public service health announcement is displayed on the screen at a nearly empty movie theater in the Garden District of New Orleans, Louisiana. Bryan Tarnowski/Bloomberg via Getty Images Good news for film fans: After months of remaining shuttered because of the , movie theaters are finally starting to reopen in late June — and maybe even as soon as mid-month in parts of California. The less good news: Screens might be filled with 50-year-old Oompa Loompas. While California's just-announced reopenings are still somewhat theoretical — the vast majority of screens in the Golden State will likely remain dark for several more weeks as exhibitors mull over new safety regulations — some independent theaters and smaller chains in other parts of the country are already open, providing a sneak preview of what going to the movies could be like for the rest of the year (and perhaps into 2021). Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. "We're seeing different regions opening at different rates,” says Patrick Corcoran, vice president and chief communications officer at the National Association of Theater Owners (NATO). “It's going to be a longer-term process. But people are kind of stir crazy. They want to get out of the house. So what theaters are doing is making sure it is safe and comfortable to come back.”

What you can expect this summer in theaters

Some changes to expect when audiences do come back: smaller crowds, longer lines, cleaner bathrooms and possibly temperature taking. And because Hollywood studios have delayed the debuts of the big summer titles — like Black Widow (moved from May 11 to November 6), Wonder Woman 1984 (June 5 to August 14) and Top Gun: Maverick (June 24 to Dec. 23) — movie screens won't have a whole lot of new product playing on them, at least not for a while. , but in Kentucky the guidelines limit theaters from filling more than 33 percent of capacity. To accommodate, Mills says his 800-seat theater is blocking off rows with caution tape and making sure there's at least six feet of space between audience members (families can sit together in groups no larger than 10). Other safety measures include deep cleaning bathrooms between every showing, giving staff regular temperature checks and requiring workers to wear masks and gloves at all times. “We're definitely being careful,” Mills says. “We knew when we reopened that many folks just aren't ready to come back into a theater. They're kind of reluctant. So we have to show them that it's safe." Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > Texas-based EVO Entertainment theater chain has opened a handful of its 71 screens — in the San Antonio, Texas, area — playing films like 1985's The Goonies. In addition to social distance seating and for the staff, every customer is given a temperature check before entering the theater. Since Texas is limiting attendance to 25 percent of capacity — the same limits being proposed for the mid-June reopenings in California — searching for fevers hasn't added too much time to the lines but that may change when capacity limits are bumped up to 50 percent, which is expected to happen within the next few weeks. Still, EVO's CEO, Mitchell Roberts, isn't too concerned. “It's a quick process,” he insists. “We have these guns that read your temperature in 0.5 seconds.” The Santikos chain, also in San Antonio, Texas, which reopened four of its nine theaters in May, isn't pointing temperature guns at audience members but its theaters (where old Harry Potter flicks are being screened) are pioneering a whole new hands-off approach to movie going. “We're eliminating all touch points,” says executive director of marketing Andrew Brooks. “As you approach a door, somebody will be there to open it for you. When you buy something at the concession stand, the staff will hand it to you — there's no self-service. You shouldn't have to touch anything until you sit down in your seat." AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS