What will movie theaters look like in ‘the new normal?’

MADISON, Wis.– Memorial Day weekend usually marks the start of summer movie season at the box office. While Madison theaters remain closed for now, they’re preparing to reopen with some major changes.

You’ll buy your tickets ahead of time. Managers at AMC say customers will likely be required to purchase tickets online, or on a touchscreen kiosk, to eliminate person-to-person contact.

You won’t be seated next to anyone. Deadline talked to theater chains big and small and reports the seating configuration most chains are considering resembles a chessboard, with customers only in the black squares. That means there will be nobody next to you, nobody in front of you, and the nearest people will be off to an angle behind you and in front of you.

Get out the disinfectant wipes! Multiplexes will also make a big showing of cleanliness— with workers visibly disinfecting seats, armrests, and swinging trays between shows, along with everything from condiment stands to restrooms.

Temperature checks are still on the table. AMC’s CEO says he’s currently “pricing out temperature-reading machines.” According to Deadline, theaters nationwide are split on that move. While they agree their employees’ temperature should be checked daily, they were split on whether or not to test customers. Cinemark’s CEO calls the practice “invasive.” He says you don’t attract people to a theater by making it look like a hospital.

When will this all happen?

Right now, managers at both AMC and Marcus are staying quiet on when exactly they might reopen, but according to Variety, there is an unofficial pact among major chains to re-open in time for the July 17th release of Christopher Nolan’s highly-anticipated thriller “Tenet.” Disney’s “Mulan” and Marvel’s “Wonder Woman 1984” are also scheduled for release later this summer.