Lakewood Ranch Cinema Set To Reopen March 31

LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL — Sarasota Film Society, a nonprofit organization, is making plans to reopen the two movie theaters it operates after shutting them down temporarily in early December because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The Lakewood Ranch Cinema, which is located at 10715 Rodeo Drive in Lakewood Ranch, will host a soft opening March 31 and April 1 with a screening of “Kong vs. Godzilla,” the nonprofit announced in a letter to members and patrons that was shared to its Facebook page.

Starting April 2, the theater will be open Friday through Sunday from 12:30 to 8 p.m. According to its website, the films scheduled to open April 2 in Lakewood Ranch include “Godzilla Vs. Kong,” “Tom & Jerry,” “Nobody,” “Nomadland,” “Raya and the Last Dragon” and “Minari.”

The organization’s second theater, Burns Court Cinema at 506 Burns Court in Sarasota, “will be opening in the weeks ahead,” though the Sarasota Film Society didn’t share a specific date.

“We are excited to see you all back in the theaters and have been working very hard to make sure your return to the cinema is an enjoyable experience,” the nonprofit said.

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The theaters first closed in mid-March 2020 during the start of the pandemic and reopened in June after lockdowns were lifted in the state.

The member-supported cinema saw an “overwhelming decline in revenue” when it initially reopened, though, said Trisha Calandra, vice president. "We did see some people come back to the movies, but just not enough."

So, Lakewood Ranch and Burns Court shut down temporarily a second time in early December with plans to open in the spring.

Learn more about the Sarasota Film Society and how to become a member online here.