In Hong Kong, Movie Theaters Reopen As The World Watches

Cinema has been hit hard by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which has shut down theaters across countries worldwide and led many studios to postpone blockbuster movies or release them online instead.

Now one country, Hong Kong, is ready to reopen its movie theaters. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor gave cinemas the go-ahead on Tuesday to begin showing films on Friday, though local governments are implementing a slew of social distancing guidelines to keep patrons safe.

The move comes after a two-week period during which Hong Kong reported very few new cases of COVID-19. The country has suffered four deaths from the coronavirus and has 1,040 infections.

Hong Kong contributes a relatively small amount to the global box office. According to Box Office Mojo, the nation grossed just under $200 million in 2019 for 157 film releases. That’s the equivalent of a good Marvel opening weekend in the United States.

By comparison, mainland China grossed almost $8 billion last year. China still hasn’t reopened its cinemas, though there’s speculation that could happen in June. New coronavirus cases also have declined sharply in China

But Hong Kong’s results this weekend will be seen as a broader indicator of what to expect. Are people willing to go back to the movies? Do they miss the cinematic experience, or are they happy watching movies at home.

Getting moviegoers back to theaters in China, the No. 2 box office nation in the world behind the United States, would be a big first step to resetting the market, which has been decimated by coronavirus.

Theaters will implement social distancing. They will not be filled to capacity, so people won’t sit right next to each other, and temperature checks may be taken.