Cineworld Will Reopen Cinemas in the U.S. and U.K. in July

Cineworld is looking to reopen all its theaters across the U.S., U.K. and Europe from late June to July.

The Mooky Greidinger-run firm — which operates cinema chains Regal in the U.S., Cineworld and Picturehouse in the U.K. and Ireland, Cinema City in Europe and Yes Planet in Israel — said Tuesday morning that with “Tenet” and “Mulan” confirmed for release, a screening schedule is now possible.

Cineworld’s screens in the Czech Republic and Slovakia will be first to open on June 26; followed by Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania on July 3; and Israel on July 9; and finally the U.S. and U.K. on July 10. The firm has said, however, that all dates are subject to various government restrictions.

The business, which operates 787 venues and 9,500 screens across 10 countries, has said it will introduce a number of COVID-19 health measures including an updated booking system to ensure social distancing within and throughout auditoriums; an adapted daily movie schedules to manage queues and avoid the build-up of crowds in lobbies; and enhanced cleanliness and sanitation procedures across all sites.

Cineworld CEO Greidinger said: “We are thrilled to be back and encouraged by recent surveys that show that many people have missed going to the movie theatre. With a strong slate confirmed for the coming weeks, including among others ‘Tenet,’ ‘Mulan,’ ‘A Quiet Place Part II,’ ‘Wonder Women 1984,’ ‘Black Widow,’ ‘Bond,’ ‘Soul,’ ‘Top Gun Maverick’ and many more, the entire Cineworld team remains committed to being ‘the best place to watch a movie’”.

Last week, Cineworld backed away from a $2.1 billion deal to buy Cineplex, citing alleged breaches of the merger agreement and a “material adverse effect” without providing details.

More follows.