Cineworld confirms plans to reopen 127 UK cinemas in May - and secures exclusivity deal with Warner Bros

Cineworld has confirmed its plan to reopen 127 UK cinemas in May, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease (Photo: Shutterstock)Cineworld has confirmed its plan to reopen 127 UK cinemas in May, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease (Photo: Shutterstock)
Cineworld has confirmed its plan to reopen 127 UK cinemas in May, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease (Photo: Shutterstock)

Cineworld has confirmed its plan to reopen 127 UK cinemas in May, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

The firm also said they will open cinemas in the US under its Regal brand from 2 April, after six months of closure.

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‘We will also be monitoring developments closely in the UK and across Europe’

The company closed 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse cinemas in the UK - and 536 Regal sites in the US - in October, but now plans to reopen in line with government guidelines.

The phased reopening in the US will start with a limited number of cinemas opening for Godzilla vs. Kong on 2 April, followed by screenings of Mortal Kombat from 16 April.

Alongside this, a deal has been struck with Warner Bros that gives the cinema chain exclusive rights to show films over streaming services.

This will mean that Cineworld will be able to show Warner Bros’ films exclusively in its cinemas 31 days prior to them being made available on premium video on demand platforms for streaming at home.

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Cineworld’s chief executive, Mooky Greidinger, said: “We have long-awaited this moment when we can welcome audiences back to our Regal theatres and restore our essential role within the communities we serve.

“With capacity restrictions expanding to 50 per cent or more across most US states, we will be able to operate profitably in our biggest markets.

“We will also be monitoring developments closely in the UK and across Europe as we set to gradually reopen across the world in line with local government guidance.”

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