The largest chains had tried to remain open even as Hollywood postponed its upcoming release plans and guidelines for social distancing steadily diminished the recommended size of crowds. But after President Donald Trump on Monday urged against gatherings of more than 10 people, AMC Theaters, the nation’s largest chain, said Tuesday its theaters would close altogether.
AMC said the latest guidelines made movie theater operations “essentially impossible.” It said it would close all locations in the U.S. for at least six to 12 weeks. Regal, the second largest chain, said that its theaters would close until further notice.
The Walt Disney Co. also indefinitely postponed “Black Widow,” which had been set to open May 1. Marvel movies have for years been the regular kick off to the summer movie going season. The company also put off the releases of “David Copperfield (May 8) and “The Woman in the Window” (May 15).
With movie theaters locked down for the foreseeable future, some studios took the extraordinary step of funneling new or recently released films onto home viewing platforms. Universal Pictures said it will make its current and upcoming films available for on-demand rental, becoming the first major studio to break the traditional theatrical window of 90 days due to the pandemic.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A TOP ENERGY STRATEGIST IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE. AND HE HAS THE DATA TO BACK THAT UP
When it comes to energy, Jarand Rystad is the numbers guy. The former McKinsey Company partner founded Oslo-based Rystad Energy, an independent research and energy intelligence company that sells data and analysis on oil, gas, coal and renewable forms of energy.
CHINA ANNOUNCES MORE SUPPORT FOR ECONOMY BUT HOLDS BACK ON MAJOR SPENDING PACKAGE
China’s economic planning agency outlined details of measures aimed at boosting the economy this week but refrained from major spending initiatives.
GOOGLE SAYS IT WILL STOP LINKING TO NEW ZEALAND NEWS IF A LAW PASSES FORCING IT TO PAY FOR CONTENT
Google said it will stop linking to New Zealand news content and will reverse its support of local media outlets if the government passes a law forcing tech companies to pay for articles displayed on their platforms.
FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE AND TIKTOK USERS IN EUROPE GET FORUM TO CHALLENGE SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT DECISIONS
Social media users in the European Union will soon have a new forum to challenge decisions by platforms to remove posts and videos for breaking their rules or leave up others that may violate them.
'JOKER 2' STUMBLES AT BOX OFFICE AMID POOR REVIEWS FROM AUDIENCES AND CRITICS
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is the No. 1 movie at the box office, but it might not be destined for a happy ending.
CONTROL THE PATH AND POWER OF HURRICANES LIKE MILTON? FORGET IT ,SCIENTISTS SAY
Hurricanes are humanity’s reminder of the uncontrollable, chaotic power of Earth’s weather.
JUDGE RULES THE FTC CAN PROCEED WITH ANTITRUST LAWSUIT AGAINST AMAZON, TOSSES OUT FEW STATE CLAIMS
A federal judge said the Federal Trade Commission can proceed with its landmark antitrust lawsuit against Amazon. But, he also gave the company a small victory by tossing out a few claims made by states involved in the legal fight.
HYUNDAI HAS BEGUN PRODUCING ELECTRIC SUVS AT ITS $7.6 BILLION PLANT IN GEORGIA
Hyundai has begun producing electric SUVs in Georgia less than two years after breaking ground on its sprawling, $7.6 billion manufacturing plant west of Savannah.
A SPACECRAFT IS ON ITS WAY TO A HARMLESS ASTEROID SLAMMED BY NASA IN A PREVIOUS SAVE-THE-EARTH TEST
A spacecraft blasted off Monday to investigate the scene of a cosmic crash.
FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS GOOGLE TO OPEN ITS ANDROID APP STORE TO COMPETITION
A federal judge this week ordered Google to tear down the digital walls shielding its Android app store from competition as punishment for maintaining an illegal monopoly that helped expand the company’s internet empire.