AMC Theatres: The New Plan to Survive Coronavirus

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AMC THEATRES MAKES A COMEBACK Of all the questions over what our future will look like, many are wondering if we will ever have the chance to experience going to the movie theater with friends again. After a tough financial loss since March, AMC Theatres is looking to make a comeback. How will they manage this amidst a pandemic?

The excitement of seeing a movie for the first time in theatres is something we largely took for granted during our lives before the pandemic hit. We underestimated the sheer joy of heading into a packed auditorium, popcorn in hand, with friends and family.

   While searching for relief from Coronavirus-induced financial difficulties, AMC Theatres is looking to give this experience back to those who miss it most. 

   On October 18, AMC theatres announced a new plan to allow movie connoisseurs a way back into their happy place. The plan explains that now anybody can rent out a theatre for a private screening starting at a price of just $99. As of right now, there are 17 possible movies for the viewers to choose from, a mixture of classics and new releases. Information on booking a screening time can be found on amctheatres.com. 

   However, it goes without saying that there will be a lot of changes to the movie theatres we grew up with. For one, all rentals must be previously reserved online and masks will be required when inside the facility. AMC is also offering optional features that can be added onto the rental with additional fees, including a microphone connected to the PA (intended for welcoming guests), and many theaters are still offering concessions. 

   In response to this plan, freshman Mia Kmet thinks that the idea is, “…so cool! [It’s] Such a smart way to watch movies while staying Covid safe.”

   As the world’s largest movie theater chain, AMC is fighting for its future during these tough times. The company blames its astronomical revenue loss in the past year on having to close down facilities due to the coronavirus. 

   “Due to these factors, substantial doubt exists about our ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time,” read a statement from the company. 

   Hopefully, this new plan for private screenings will be a valuable asset in carrying the company through the next year and beyond.

It is creative solutions like these that keep the economy turning throughout the craziness of 2020 and whatever potential crises the future may hold. Kmet agrees that although some tradition may be lost, “it is better than missing the movie theater experience entirely.”