The pandemic has not been easy for anyone. The lockdown is necessary, keeps everyone safe, and it is imperative that everyone  continues to social distance in order to combat the spread of COVID-19. However these safety measures have hurt some businesses including movie theaters.

AMC Theaters or American Multi-Cinema, which according to Movie Web is the largest movie theater chain in the United States, is at risk of running out of money by the end of 2020 or at least by early 2021. Variety and Deadline have both reported on the theater chain’s struggles. Movie theaters and other non essential business were shut down at the start of the pandemic, but recently some states have allowed movie theaters to reopen with some restrictions. Despite the fact that some theaters have reopened, attendance has gone down 85% in the past week.

Also most studios are choosing to release their movies directly to streaming services instead, or the release dates of many major movies have been delayed. Even the release ofTenet and the rerelease of Hocus Pocus cannot rescue theaters could not fix AMC’s problems. Perhaps the theaters will be able to find a source of financial assistance.

Right now attending a regular movie theater is very dangerous, and no one should put their health and safety at risk just to see a movie.