Nearly six months after “Tenet” was released in the United States, Warner Bros. announced that the Christopher Nolan sci-fi spectacle will open in five New York City movie theater locations this Friday.
On Feb. 22, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that movie theaters located in New York City will be able to open their doors to the public on March 5. The five theaters that will screen “Tenet” on the big screen are AMC Lincoln Square, AMC Empire, AMC Kips Bay, Village East by Angelika in 70mm and Showcase Cinemas Jamaica. The film will open on IMAX screens a week later on March 12 at AMC Lincoln Square.
“Tenet,” which is led by John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, was the first major Hollywood tentpole film to premiere in theaters amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for a July 17, 2020 theatrical debut, the film’s release date was pushed back three times and opened in select cities on Sep. 3. While theaters in New York and California were closed, Nolan’s film played in 2,810 theaters across the country and made $20.2 million on its opening weekend. To date, “Tenet” has grossed $57.9 million domestically and over $363 million worldwide. It also marked Nolan’s most expensive film at $200 million to produce.
To Nolan’s dismay, Warner Bros released “Tenet” on 4K, Blu-Ray, DVD and digital rental services on Dec. 15. New Yorkers who have been waiting to see his film on the big screen will finally get their chance, but they will have to adhere to the state’s COVID guidelines. This includes having to wear a mask at all times except when seated and eating or drinking. Additionally, theaters are restricted to 25 percent capacity or 50 audience members, whichever is lower. They will also have to comply with enhanced air filtration and purification standards to reduce the chance of a virus outbreak.