AMC to reopen eight theatres in California

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc said on Tuesday it plans to reopen eight theatres in California, one of its key markets, providing some much needed hope to an industry that has been hammered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

AMC said that it would reopen theatres in Northern California, including San Francisco and the greater Bay Area.

The world’s largest theatre chain expects to have about 540 of its 600-theatre circuit open by the end of this month.

While big theatre chains such as AMC Entertainment and Cineworld Group have reopened many locations, audiences have been thin due to virus fears and delays in major releases by studios.

Small and mid-sized theatre companies have said they may not survive the impact of the pandemic.

Shares of AMC, which have fallen 62 per cent this year, were up 4.3 per cent in premarket trading.