Major Movie Chains To Welcome Back Vaccinated Patrons Without Face Masks

Major theater chains will soon be welcoming fully vaccinated patrons back without masks. 

“Consistent with the latest CDC guidance and following consultation with public-health experts, AMC Theatres guests who are fully vaccinated are no longer required to wear face coverings at AMC locations unless it is mandated by state or local ordinances,” AMC announced on Friday.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the only caveat is that moviegoers will still be required to wear face coverings in areas with a local mandate in place — such as Los Angeles. 

Moviegoers who are not fully vaccinated will still be required to mask up. The theater chain did not say whether proof of vaccination will be required to enter.

Deadline reports that Cinemark Theatres and Regal Cinemas have also updated their mask policies. Regal adopted a policy similar to AMC’s, requiring masks in locations with mandates in place unless a patron is eating or drinking. 

It’s no surprise that after movie screens went dark amid the coronavirus pandemic that theaters would try to pack as many people into seats as they can. And the demand is there. Over the four-day Memorial Weekend, cinemas raked in almost $100 million domestically. The most since the start of the pandemic.

A Quiet Place Part II was the top earner, bringing in $48.4 million. Disney’s Cruella brought in $27 million, despite also being released on Disney+.