AMC Will Close U.S. Theaters for 6 to 12 Weeks Due to Coronavirus

AMC Theaters, the largest theatrical chain in the United States, has announced it will close all 630 of its locations starting March 17 for at least 6 to 12 weeks due to concerns around spreading the coronavirus. AMC CEO and President Adam Aron will comply with local, state and federal directives to ensure the health and safety of staff and moviegoers alike. He states:

“We are ever so disappointed for our moviegoing guests and for our employee teams that the new CDC guidelines that Americans should not gather in groups larger than 10 people make it impossible to open our theatres. Still, the health and wellbeing of AMC guests and employees, and of all Americans, takes precedence above all else. We will continue to monitor this situation very closely and look forward to the day we can again delight moviegoers nationwide by reopening AMC movie theatres in accordance with guidance from the CDC and local health authorities.”

AMC’s closet rival, Refal, decided to close its entire chain starting today until further notice, with chains like Landmark Theatres, Cineplex Odeon, and Alamo Drafthouse also following suit.

AMC will stop all A-List memberships for the first time, with no billing or payments occurring for customers. “Members will be notified prior to this pause expiring and will have the option to choose to extend the pause for another month if they so desire. Additionally, any A-List member who did not renew their membership any time so far in calendar year 2020 will not have to wait the customary six months to rejoin,” read a statement.

AMC encourages attendees to utilize its AMC Theaters on Demand channel for the time being.

In related entertainment news, Universal Studios to release movies currently in theaters as $20 USD rentals.

For home entertainment, please consider #AMCTheatresOnDemand, featuring over 3,500 movie titles. You can use AMC gift cards On Demand and continue to earn AMC Stubs points.

— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) March 17, 2020

We will continue to monitor this situation very closely and look forward to the day we can again delight moviegoers nationwide by reopening AMC movie theatres.

— AMC Theatres (@AMCTheatres) March 17, 2020