Harkins To Reopen All Arizona Movie Theaters

ARIZONA — Harkins Theatres has announced it will reopen all Arizona locations on Aug. 28 after months of coronavirus closures. The movie theater chain previously was set to open select locations in northern Arizona.

Harkins, like all movie theaters, was forced to close its doors on March 20 when Arizona shut down to try to beat back the coronavirus. The chain applied for reopening with enhanced safety precautions and was approved by the state.

“In trying times, people have always looked to us to escape for just a few hours of solace and to immerse themselves in another world,” said Mike Bowers, President and CEO of Harkins Theatres, in a statement. “After nearly six months, we are so happy and deeply grateful to our team and our valued guests for the opportunity to carefully begin our return to deliver on this mission again."

Along with Arizona, Harkins will also be reopening locations in Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas. Arizona will see 18 locations in the Phoenix area, several in northern Arizona and a few in the southern part of the state open Friday.

Some of the safety protocols Harkins has put in place include required face coverings, the installation of safety shields, socially distanced seating, sanitizer stations and more. Employees will undergo health screenings before each shift and cleaning processes have been enhanced.

AMC announced its intention to open on Aug. 21 but has not been approved to open in Phoenix just yet.

The theaters are opening just in time for some new releases Friday. Marvel's "The New Mutants" and the Russel Crowe film "Unhinged" will both arrive on Aug. 28. Christopher Nolan's much-awaited "Tenet" will hit the screens Sept. 4. Other big releases slated for screenings were either delayed or went straight to streaming due to the coronavirus, like Disney's live-action "Mulan."

The news comes as Arizona slowly approves closed businesses for reopening, including some bars and gyms.