Updated, 4:02 p.m. EST
As the Northeast digs in for what could be one of the worst blizzards in recent history, two of the countries largest chains, AMC and Regal, are closing locations throughout the region.
Snow started to blanket large swaths of the Eastern seaboard on Friday, with meteorologists predicting that up to three feet could fall throughout much of New England. The storm, which has been dubbed Nemo, is expected to lead to several cancelations.
Also read: Blizzard May Rain on Box-Office Parade of Melissa McCarthy's 'Identity Thief' [4]
A spokesman for AMC said that several of the company's Massachusetts theaters, including its Boston Commons location and outposts in suburbs like Danbury and Dartmouth, will shut their doors no later than 4 p.m. on Friday. Theaters in the city are expected to reopen by noon on Sunday, while theaters in neighboring communities could reopen Saturday if the weather conditions improve.
AMC will also closes theaters in Danbury, Conn. and Plainville, Conn. early on Friday.
A spokesman for Regal said that storm has affected operations at all of the chains Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Connecticut theaters. The company is also closing a location in New York and another in New Jersey. A handful of theaters will continue with afternoon showings, but roughly 20 theaters will turn off their marquees until the storm passes.
The Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline (pictured), one of the Boston area's most popular independent movie houses, shut down all day Friday.
In New York City, all Broadway theaters plan to remain open and performances will continue as scheduled, a spokeswoman for the Broadway League told TheWrap.
Filming in the city will halt on Saturday as the five boroughs dig out from the snowfall. A spokesman for the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment said that permitting for film and television productions are expected to resume on Sunday.
A spokesman for Regal Cinemas, which operates 20 theaters in New England, said there are currently no plans to close any locations.
A spokeswoman for National Amusements, one of the biggest theater chains in the region, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Twitter feed of Showcase Cinemas, National Amusements' chain of theaters, did provide some words of warning, though it offered no specifics about any closures.
"Everyone! Please be safe in any storms that you may find yourself in this today! :)," the company tweeted. [5]
Tim Molloy contributed to this report.