Nearly Half of US Movie Theaters Will Be Open This Weekend Even Without New York, California

While Hurricane Laura and the ever-present threat of COVID-19 loom over the movie theater industry, plans are moving forward for the second weekend of nationwide cinema reopenings as nearly half of the United States’ 5,800 theaters are expected to be back in business. By next weekend, when Warner Bros. will release Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” at least 3,000 movie theaters are expected to be back in operation as owners and distributors alike hope that the sci-fi thriller will provide a boost to the box office after five months of closures. The three major national chains — AMC, Cinemark and Regal — plan to have all their theaters in states allowing reopenings to be back online by then. But six U.S. states — including major markets California and New York — have still not given any indication on when their theaters can reopen. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has promised a business reopening plan by the end of the week. For now, box office is still expected to be minimal, with “The New Mutants” projected to lead the charts with an $8-10 million opening. Analysts tell TheWrap that “Tenet,” which does not yet have a screen count, is expected to open in the mid-to-high teens next weekend, with a $20 million opening considered a strong performance given the current environment.