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Even Though Movie Theaters Can Open, Many Won’t


by Galilee Abdullah 30 Apr 2020 3:15 PM

Alamo Drafthouse, Cinemark and others say reopening will take time.

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Governor Greg Abbott says movie theaters are among the businesses in Texas that can reopen Friday, although at a limited, 25 percent capacity. But many theaters don’t plan on taking the governor up on his offer.

There will be no coming attractions at Alamo Drafthouse this weekend. The Austin-based chain says opening safely is complex and can’t be done casually or quickly.

Plano-based Cinemark — which has laid-off more than 17,000 hourly theater employees — has said it’s looking at a midsummer opening date. It adds that a return to normalcy may span several months.

Other theaters that will also stay closed include Dallas-based Studio Movie Grill … and the Texas Theatre in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhood.

While theaters aren’t showing movies inside, some are offering virtual programming — and curbside meal pickup.

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