Now showing: Movie theatres to reopen Friday

Moviegoers can delight over a return to theatres just in time for the weekend.

The smell of movie theatre popcorn will once again fill Regina theatres as part of Phase 4.2 of the Re-Open Saskatchewan plan.

Landmark Cinemas CEO Bill Walker says theatres in Regina and Saskatoon will reopen Friday, but with a few changes to allow for customer safety. The theatres closed in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We really are focused on the experience … for that customer who’s a little bit uncertain of going to the movies,” Walker said.

“We’re going to work really hard to show people how we can create a safer experience and still provide some entertainment through all of this crisis.”

A limit of 30 per cent of capacity has been placed on theatres in Saskatchewan, keeping those like Landmark to low numbers to protect moviegoers.

“In Saskatchewan in particular, the capacities are reduced further than they are in any other province,” Walker said. “Our recliner seats already provided a lot more physical distance than what you would be accustomed to in a regular theatre, so the number of seats will be quite limited.”

Walker recommends purchasing tickets online in advance to ensure customers will be able to catch the movie of their choice.

Signage around the theatres and even in the washrooms are present to remind customers of the importance of social distancing.

Walker said only every other concession station will be open, with staff wearing masks and serving customers from behind a Plexiglas shield.

Moviegoers at Landmark Cinemas will not be required to wear masks.

“Given the relative case level in most areas we operate, particularly in Saskatchewan, I think it’s reasonable that masks are not mandatory but are certainly welcome,” Walker explained.

Generally, customers will be asked to social distance appropriately from those around them.

“I’m hopeful that everyone has gotten accustomed to physical distancing … (and) that our customers are going to be responsible, respect their fellow guests and maintain distance,” Walker said.

The theatres have also employed hygiene officers at every location. Their sole responsibility is to ensure the proper cleaning and sanitizing procedures for theatres are carried out at all times.

For washrooms, Walker said stalls and sinks have not been closed for social distancing, but every second urinal has been closed.

Walker said he expects people to take proper precautions to social distance in washrooms.

“If you enter and you see there’s too many people at the sinks, then you’ll just stand back and wait,” he said.

“The way we’ve set up showtimes and the limited capacity, we’re fairly confident that distancing in the washrooms is not going to be our biggest concern.”

Walker said plans are also in place to designate a staff member should one be needed to ensure social-distancing measures are being followed.

“We’re going to monitor that closely as we get reopened and we see how it goes,” he said.

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The movie lineup for the first couple of weeks is set to be a mix of old and newer.

“We’re pulling from the archives a lot,” Walker said.

Movies showing Friday will include E.T. The Extraterrestrial, Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark and the original Jurassic Park.

Walker said moviegoers can also expect to see films like Jumanji and Knives Out, which may have had a shorter time in theatres than expected due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tickets will be available online for purchase within the next few days, priced at $5 each and discounted to $2.99 on Tuesdays.

New movies are expected to eventually hit theatres, but Walker said it’s a delicate balance for studios.

“They only get one chance (at release),” Walker said.

He said movie studios that have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to produce new films are keeping those new releases shelved for the time being.

“We just want to build comfortability with our customers and with the studios that theatres can operate safely, building back confidence with our customers that they can go to the movies and still enjoy the experience,” Walker said.

The theatres continue to talk with studios about impending new releases and some are currently scheduled for as early as mid-July.

“We’re going to be there, ready, when new releases are available,” Walker said.