Regal Plans to Upgrade Its Movie Theaters (1 Viewer)

[Alex...]

Regal Cinemas, the second-largest movie theater chain in the U.S., has secured $250 million to give its locations an upgrade, the exhibitor said on Tuesday.

The raise is intended to boost its already existing locations (425 theaters across the country) with enhancements like luxury recliners and other amenities.

Regal Plans to Upgrade Its Movie Theaters With $250M Capital Raise

The funds are intended to boost its already existing locations (425 theaters across the country) with enhancements like luxury recliners.

www.hollywoodreporter.com

 

[Sultanofcinema]

Any chance of them also upgrading quality back to motion pictures?

 

[Wayne_j]

Any chance of them also upgrading quality back to motion pictures?

That's not up to them.

 

[SD_Brian]

If I were to make a list of things I hate about the current state of the movie theater experience, "lack of luxury recliners" wouldn't even be in the top 20.

Rather than luxury recliners, how about installing screens that are larger than my television? When I leave the house and spend $20+ per ticket to see a movie on the big screen, I'd like to see it on a BIG screen. If I want to dine out, I'll go to a restaurant, and I've got reclining seats at home.

They will likely offset the investment by implementing yet another increase in ticket prices, which will make going to the movies even less affordable and will then wonder why people still aren't going to the movies.

 

[Josh Steinberg]

In general, market research shows the same conclusion repeatedly, which is that the average moviegoer attends the theater 1-2 times a year. A much smaller group attends more frequently.

It doesn’t really make financial sense to pour a huge amount of resources into trying to convince people who either don’t go to the movies at all, or who only see one movie in a theater a year, to go more often. That ship sailed decades ago. It makes more sense to instead cater to the audience that currently does attend frequently and to put effort into retaining their business. By and large, that audience wants more premium services, from better concession options to nicer seating to more of the so-called “premium large format” auditoriums like IMAX, Dolby Cinema and Regal’s proprietary RPX, and that’s what this cash infusion is meant for.

AMC is already in the middle of a decade-long initiative to upgrade seating, projection and amenities at their locations, and Regal had already begun this process at some of theirs as well. This isn’t so much about reinventing the wheel as it is making sure that their remaining older venues receive the kind of routine upgrades and maintenance that will make them competitive and viable in an environment where recliners and such are already the norm.

 

[Sultanofcinema]

That's not up to them.

To quote Jim Belushi in About Last Night, " Don't EVER loose your sense of humor!"

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

I would like them to upgrade the audience.

 

[Bryan Tuck]

By and large, that audience wants more premium services, from better concession options to nicer seating to more of the so-called “premium large format” auditoriums like IMAX, Dolby Cinema and Regal’s proprietary RPX, and that’s what this cash infusion is meant for.

I can only speak for myself, but presentation is key for me. I live in Los Angeles, so fortunately there are multiple options for me to see most movies, but even here the presentation standards are a mixed bag.

I'm sure I've rattled on about this on these boards for a while, but my biggest pet peeve with theaters right now is the ones who have stopped using their screen masking, and Regal is chief among those offenders. Watching a scope movie umasked on a 1.85 screen makes it feel like a big TV instead of a proper cinema screen.

I've gone to the Regal Sherman Oaks location (formerly an Arclight) a couple of times since they took it over, and it's been very disappointing. Not only did they quit masking the native 1.85 screens, they apparently left the masking engaged on some native 2.39 screens, and are showing 2.39 movies letterboxed within that 1.85 frame. Last year, I tried to see ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE there, and walked out once I realized that was the case. There's just no excuse for that.

 

[Bryan Tuck]

Sorry; accidentally doubled a post. Could one of the mods please delete this one?

 

[Sultanofcinema]

I ran a series of theaters and a drive in in NJ for quite a few years we ran films with respect. Our motto was " no one ever remembers a good show, but they always remember a bad one." The same folks returned to our theaters regularly. Curtains in every theater, cleaned projectors weekly, checked masking and lenses and kept the kiddies out of R rated films.

 

[FincherFan]

I can only speak for myself, but presentation is key for me. I live in Los Angeles, so fortunately there are multiple options for me to see most movies, but even here the presentation standards are a mixed bag.

I'm sure I've rattled on about this on these boards for a while, but my biggest pet peeve with theaters right now is the ones who have stopped using their screen masking, and Regal is chief among those offenders. Watching a scope movie umasked on a 1.85 screen makes it feel like a big TV instead of a proper cinema screen.

I've gone to the Regal Sherman Oaks location (formerly an Arclight) a couple of times since they took it over, and it's been very disappointing. Not only did they quit masking the native 1.85 screens, they apparently left the masking engaged on some native 2.39 screens, and are showing 2.39 movies letterboxed within that 1.85 frame. Last year, I tried to see ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE there, and walked out once I realized that was the case. There's just no excuse for that.

 

[FincherFan]

sorry about that previous post. i didn’t see how to simply delete it.

i was going to say i frequent that same Regal & the newer one in NoHo, but i miss it being an Arclight.

i think Regal should’ve & still should spend that money on learning the way things were done when it was an Arclight. they were by far one of the best chains around before covid unfortunately helped close them.

 

[DigniT@DigniT!]

I wonder if there is any chance of them re-opening cinemas like Denver's REGAL CONTINENTAL? The Continental was home to roadshow presentations of THE BIBLE, FUNNY GIRL, HELLO DOLLY and more recently all of the LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY and even Tarantino's HATEFUL EIGHT. It was expanded into a multiplex but the huge original auditorium, a real showplace for film, remained intact. As a kid, I saw return engagements of roadshow presentations of WEST SIDE STORY, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS, SOUTH PACIFIC, and unforgettably, 2001! Denver needs this cinema back. I live in NYC now, but what a loss... whenever I'm home, I mourn so many of the Single-screen Movie Palaces of my youth. I imagine I'm not alone in this. Here's hoping for a return

 

[Desslar]

If I were to make a list of things I hate about the current state of the movie theater experience, "lack of luxury recliners" wouldn't even be in the top 20.

Rather than luxury recliners, how about installing screens that are larger than my television? When I leave the house and spend $20+ per ticket to see a movie on the big screen, I'd like to see it on a BIG screen. If I want to dine out, I'll go to a restaurant, and I've got reclining seats at home.

They will likely offset the investment by implementing yet another increase in ticket prices, which will make going to the movies even less affordable and will then wonder why people still aren't going to the movies.

The reclining seats are not essential, but they are very nice to have. The food is irrelevant - popcorn will do fine.

They absolutely should get rid of postage stamp-sized screens. If they want to lure people away from their TV sets, they need to go big.

 

[aPhil]

The best upgrade for all motion picture theaters would be more light on that screen (don't cheap out to cut down screen brightness to make the lamp last longer).
And focus the damned image and teach employees how to focus and stop treating those employees like idiots. Train some of them what the hell focus and screen brightness is about.

And forget the damned lounge chairs and recliners. I'm not there for a haircut or a massage.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

I've worked in theaters for over 40 years and never saw anyone turn down a lamp. They require a certain amperage to strike and stay lit without flickering, lowering it to save electricity means they won't operate properly.

If you're seeing brightness issues, it means the lamps are nearing or past their maximum hours, the reflectors need cleaning/alignment, or the lens/port glass is dirty. Or the lamp wattage is insufficient for the screen size.

 

[Sultanofcinema]

And I can tell you ladies and Gents, Pete above, is the best projectionist I've ever known!

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Very kind of you, Joe.

 

[mattbuffalo]

In general, market research shows the same conclusion repeatedly, which is that the average moviegoer attends the theater 1-2 times a year. A much smaller group attends more frequently.

It doesn’t really make financial sense to pour a huge amount of resources into trying to convince people who either don’t go to the movies at all, or who only see one movie in a theater a year, to go more often. That ship sailed decades ago. It makes more sense to instead cater to the audience that currently attends frequently and to put effort into retaining their business. For additional options or information, you might want to contact StubHub. By and large, that audience wants more premium services, from better concession options to nicer seating to more of the so-called “premium large format” auditoriums like IMAX, Dolby Cinema and Regal’s proprietary RPX, and that’s what this cash infusion is meant for.

AMC is already in the middle of a decade-long initiative to upgrade seating, projection and amenities at their locations, and Regal had already begun this process at some of theirs as well. This isn’t so much about reinventing the wheel as it is making sure that their remaining older venues receive the kind of routine upgrades and maintenance that will make them competitive and viable in an environment where recliners and such are already the norm.

Regal Cinemas has secured $250M to upgrade its theaters. With the box office making a comeback, renovations, improvements, and digital enhancements are underway at more than 30 locations, with completion expected by 2025.

 

[Jesse Skeen]

I worked for Regal from 2000-2001, they’re the reason I left the theater business after ten years. Native 1.85 screens shouldn’t even be installed in the first place, but if they have to be the masking for scope MUST stay in place so that the average patron doesn’t notice the screen dimensions. The one I worked at stopped using its masking which is inexcusable, I can already watch letterboxed movies at home and I simply don’t return to any theater where I see that.