Movie theater reopens after five-month closure

The Poplar Bluff movie theater is one of 140 across the nation reopening this week, according to AMC.

The AMC Classic Poplar Bluff 8 will have its first show tonight, after being closed for more than five months. The Christopher Nolan thriller “Tenet” opens at 6:30 p.m., to the delight of fans who have missed the big screen experience.

“I’m just looking forward to getting back to normal and making smiles happen again,” said Poplar Bluff general manager Brandon Coley, shortly before the theater reopened Thursday. “A lot of the good folks used to come see us every week before we closed, and I’ve had a lot of very excited conversations with them about getting to see movies again.”

Coley admitted he wanted to take a peek at the movies they’ll have this weekend himself, but staff was too busy getting the building ready for customers again after the long shutdown.

The theaters opening this week represent about 70% of AMC locations nationwide, according to information released by the company. Four other Missouri AMC locations made the list in St. Louis and Warrenburg.

The reopening does come with a mask requirement and reduced capacity for theaters to allow for social distancing, Coley confirmed. Staff also will be required to wear masks.

“We are doing reduced capacity so there is space in the auditoriums for people to social distance,” he said. “We are asking all of our guests to wear masks in auditoriums, except for when they are enjoying popcorn and drinks.”

Hand sanitizer stations also have been set up throughout the building.

Also showing this weekend will be “The New Mutants” and “Unhinged.”

Coley said the theater will be open daily, but the number of showings will be determined once staff are able to gauge attendance.

He also expects more great movies to hit the theater’s line up in the coming months.

“There aren’t as many movies slated to come out for the rest of the year as we initially expected, but for the most part Hollywood is working with us. We will have a steady flow of movies,” Coley said.

Coley said staff have missed being able to sit down and watch a good movie on the big screen as much as residents and are excited to reopen.