Showplace Cinemas East officially reopens this weekend

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Showplace Cinemas on Evansville’s east side officially reopened on Friday.

The movie theater had originally planned to open Friday for a soft opening. However, theater officials decided to fully open after Gov. Eric Holcomb pushed up Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan.

Since many new Hollywood movies are not scheduled to be released until July, moviegoers can watch classic films this weekend like the “Indiana Jones” series, “Grease,” and “The Dark Knight” franchise.

Tickets, drinks and popcorn are all $5 each. Everything has to be purchased at the box office and picked up at the concession stand to limit the amount of contact with workers.

Two seats on each side of a customer’s assigned seat will be blocked off and markers are going to be placed on the ground to ensure social distancing.

All employees are required to wear masks, but not customers.

Moviegoers say they’re excited to finally watch a film on the big screen again, even with some restrictions put in place.

“I think it’s great - we’ve got to follow whatever we need to follow, but I’m in," moviegoer Steven Granderson said. “I’m ready. I love the movies. I love coming here. It’s great to be back.”

Showplace says they plan to reopen its Newburgh location next weekend.

All other Showplace locations in the Tri-State are set to open on June 26.

Meanwhile, the Malco Theater in Owensboro will also be reopening on Monday. Officials say they do plan to keep social distancing practices in place.

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