In the Age of Coronavirus, Even Movie Theaters Learn to Love Streaming

The state of Georgia is aiming to be among the first to restart its economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. But in the state’s sizable entertainment sector, nobody is raring to get back to work just yet.

Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday announced an aggressive reopening plan for his state that would allow cinemas to begin reopening early next week.

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp will allow movie theaters to reopen starting April 27, but exhibition insiders stress that it would be nearly impossible for most major chains to start business back up by next week.

Studios and exhibitors alike are itching to get back to business, but there are big changes ahead for understandably nervous filmgoers.

By Anthony D'Alessandro

Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, has announced that movie theaters, restaurants, and some other businesses will be allowed to reopen on April 27.

By Gene Maddaus

By Adam B. Vary

Life on lockdown has left the country desperate for a taste of the great outdoors.

By Anthony D'Alessandro

By Chris Willman

I know, I know. There are bigger things to worry about than not being able to go see the 3:30 showing of Emma. And I know you're probably ready to pull out your "Kim, people are dying" GIF and throw it in the comments. That's fair! You're completely right! But I also think every person gets to evaluate and grieve the many ways in which this pandemic has changed the way they live their life, and for me, this is a big one.

After a month of increasing anxiety and self-isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic, audiences in the U.S. are largely not eager to return to public events once the crisis subsides, according to a new study.

Movie theaters have endured world wars, depressions and recessions, and the advent of everything from television to streaming. But COVID-19 and the public health crisis it has generated around the globe represent an existential threat to the cinema business like no other.

Drive-In Movie Theaters are having a resurgence right now during the coronavirus outbreak.

By Anthony D'Alessandro

Movie theater owners are calling on Congress and President Donald Trump to take emergency measures to provide financial relief for an industry that’s been hit hard by the impact of coronavirus. Cinemas have shuttered and new releases have been delayed as the world grapples with an unprecedented global health crisis. The closures have resulted in furloughs and layoffs, leaving thousands of hourly employees who sell popcorn, take tickets, clean theaters, and other tasks without income.

Even under the best circumstances, Hollywood studios and exhibitors were concerned about how the 2020 box office would stack up in a year with decidedly less sure-fire hits. But now that movie theaters across the country have begun dimming their marquee lights for an indefinite period of time to help contain the spread of coronavirus, the industry is left with a confusing picture of when — and at what scale — Americans will return to multiplexes again.

Cinemark, the nation’s third largest movie theater chain, has joined AMC and Regal in closing down operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.