AMC, Cinemark Theaters Reopen In Washington

Charles Woodman
Updated ·2 min read

SEATTLE — Theaters are reopening across Washington after spending much of the year with their doors barred by coronavirus pandemic restrictions.

On Oct. 6, Gov. Jay Inslee announced plans to loosen several lingering coronavirus restrictions. Among the changes was new guidance allowing theaters to reopen though with some caveats, including that theaters can only welcome guests up to a 25 percent capacity, and visitors must be seated at least six feet from one another if not from the same household.

Read the state's full list of movie theater COVID-19 safety requirements.

Friday, two major theater chains opened their doors to moviegoers once again.

AMC has announced the return of 14 of their theaters:

  • AMC Alderwood 16

  • AMC Cascade Mall 14

  • AMC Factoria 8

  • AMC Kent Station 14

  • AMC Kitsap 8

  • AMC Lakewood Mall 12

  • AMC CLASSIC Mill Plain 8

  • AMC Oak Tree 6

  • AMC Pacific Place 11

  • AMC River Park Square 20

  • AMC Seattle 10

  • AMC Southcenter 16

  • AMC Vancouver Mall 23

  • AMC Woodinville 12

As part of their reopening, AMC has outlined several new safety procedures, including routine sterilization of theater seats, and upgraded air filters for the theater's HVAC systems.

Similarly, Cinemark has announced the return of Washington theaters like:

  • Century Federal Way

  • Century Point Ruston

  • Cinmeark Lincoln Square Cinemas

  • Cinemark Reserve Lincoln Square

  • Century Olympia.

Like AMC, Cinemark promises their theaters come with a suite of new safety improvements to protect patrons and employees alike.

Several independent theaters have also reopened to the viewing public. As The Stranger reports, The Beacon Cinema has reopened in Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood. The Seattle Times also confirmed the reopening of the Admiral Theater in West Seattle and the Varsity in the University District.

However, not all theaters are resuming business. Seattle's SIFF Theaters remain closed, and in early October Regal Cinemas announced plans to suspend all their operations indefinitely across America and Europe.

Related: Regal Indefinitely Closes All Theaters, Including In WA

This article originally appeared on the Seattle Patch