AMC and Cinemark offering theater rentals for $99

With limited options for activities in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, many frequent moviegoers have chosen not to visit theaters in recent weeks, even after cinemas were forced to close for more than three months. Movie nights at home are more popular than ever.

The decline in visits and sales forced Cineworld, the parent company of Regal Cinemas, to close more than 530 theaters across the U.S. earlier this month. Closures are temporary with plans to reopen in 2021.

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AMC Theaters, the largest movie theater chain in the U.S., is still hanging on.

According to Fox Business, the theater chain has reopened 494 of its 598 U.S. theaters, but attendance is down about 85% compared to the same time last year.

In an effort to get more people in theater locations, the company announced it will offer private movie showings for $99.

The special-edition offer is available in almost all states and Washington, D.C.

“Hocus Pocus,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” “Shrek,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Jumanji: Next Level,” “Jurassic Park” and “Monsters, Inc.” are among the films available for private screenings.

A number of other movies, including “Tenet" and “The War with Grandpa” are available for private screenings starting at $149 plus tax.

Patrons can have food catered for an additional fee of $250.

Cinemark, which owns CineArt and Century Theaters, is running a similar deal with the same movies at the same prices. Cinemark has a few additional films available, including “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone," “Grease,” “Coco" and “Ghostbusters.”

Both companies have said the private theaters can be rented for a party of up to 20 people.

See more from AMC here and more from Cinemark here.

Cox Media Group