When Governor Little decided to move Idaho movie theaters into to Stage 3 of the Idaho Rebounds plan, we couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. 

It wasn't because we didn't think the staff at our area movie theaters couldn't do a good job keeping guests as safe from COVID-19 as possible. It was because Stage 3 began on May 30. We really didn't think that theaters would want to reopen before they had new movies to offer movie goers.

For the most part, we were right. Only "mom and pop" theater Overland Park Cinemas in Boise took advantage of the ability to open early. They've mixed up their screenings to offer some of the movies that were direct to digital releases during lock down like Trolls 2, recent Oscar winners like 1917, fandom favorites like Harry Potter and throwbacks like Bronco Billy and The Goonies.

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

Even with the green light to reopen in Idaho, big movie chains like Regal wanted to wait for new releases in July. Regal, the parent company of the Edwards theaters in the Treasure Valley, sent an e-blast to Regal Clown Club members on Tuesday sharing the news that they plan to start reopening on July 10 with full slate of new health and safety regulations.

When the theaters reopen, guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance through the Regal app to allow for contactless payment. They'll offer the ability to buy concession items through the app. The concession stand will be temporarily limited, refills on large drinks and popcorn will be suspended and there will be no self-service condiment stands.

One new safety feature coming Regal theaters is ULV Foggers. These electrostatic 'fogger' machines allows employees to quickly and effectively sanitize every seat in the theater between screenings.

Their online reservation system will be set to maintain the number of seats between groups to fulfill distancing requirements.

You can read the rest of Regal's safety game plan by clicking HERE. Not sure what's coming out when Edwards reopens in July? Here's a look at the movies scheduled for wide releases.

July 10:

Unhinged

July 17

The Broken Hearts Gallery

  • Romantic movie, no trailer available

July 24

Mulan

July 31

Tenet

 

Gallery — Every Movie Theater Candy, Ranked:

 

More From 107.9 LITE FM