Movie theaters across New Hampshire and the country are struggling to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic.>> Download the free WMUR appWith coronavirus safety concerns combined with major movies delaying their releases, staying in business hasn’t been easy. “It’s almost like a nightmare. You’re chasing something that just keeps moving further and further away,” Michael Mannetta, marketing director at Chunky’s Cinema and Pub, said.The delay of the new James Bond movie is having a ripple effect on the already struggling movie theater business during the pandemic. Officials with the Regal Cinemas chain announced they are temporarily closing locations this Thursday because of a lack of big films. Movie theaters in New Hampshire reopened this summer. Officials with Cinemagic Theaters said business is down by more than 75%. “Cinemagic reopened Aug. 21,” Zachary Adam, marketing director of Cinemagic Theaters, said. “It has been very hard.” “The losses are huge. If you want to compare us now to last year, it’s night and day,” Mannetta said.During this time, some theaters are getting creative. Chunky’s hosts live comedy, trivia and is bringing in a local celebrity chef. Cinemagic is showing Halloween-themed movies this month and giving away popcorn to anyone dressed in costume on Friday nights. As the pandemic continues, local theater officials remain optimistic.“We just believe in the business. We think the industry will bounce back. These movies will come out and it will get better,” Mannetta said.“We are here and we are persevering and providing as much entertainment and social engagement as we can to the community,” Adam said.Representatives at Cinemagic said some customers have reached out to them asking what safety protocols are in place. They said they’ve managed to help people by explaining the guidelines they are using.
Movie theaters across New Hampshire and the country are struggling to stay open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
>> Download the free WMUR app
With coronavirus safety concerns combined with major movies delaying their releases, staying in business hasn’t been easy.
“It’s almost like a nightmare. You’re chasing something that just keeps moving further and further away,” Michael Mannetta, marketing director at Chunky’s Cinema and Pub, said.
The delay of the new James Bond movie is having a ripple effect on the already struggling movie theater business during the pandemic.
Officials with the Regal Cinemas chain announced they are temporarily closing locations this Thursday because of a lack of big films.
Movie theaters in New Hampshire reopened this summer.
Officials with Cinemagic Theaters said business is down by more than 75%.
“Cinemagic reopened Aug. 21,” Zachary Adam, marketing director of Cinemagic Theaters, said. “It has been very hard.”
“The losses are huge. If you want to compare us now to last year, it’s night and day,” Mannetta said.
During this time, some theaters are getting creative. Chunky’s hosts live comedy, trivia and is bringing in a local celebrity chef. Cinemagic is showing Halloween-themed movies this month and giving away popcorn to anyone dressed in costume on Friday nights.
As the pandemic continues, local theater officials remain optimistic.
“We just believe in the business. We think the industry will bounce back. These movies will come out and it will get better,” Mannetta said.
“We are here and we are persevering and providing as much entertainment and social engagement as we can to the community,” Adam said.
Representatives at Cinemagic said some customers have reached out to them asking what safety protocols are in place. They said they’ve managed to help people by explaining the guidelines they are using.