To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Cinemark is taking its audiences back to 1984 with a series of retro films and prices.

Universal Pictures has struck another deal with a major theater chain to shorten the theatrical window from three months to as little as 17 days in an effort to adapt to the new business realities of moviegoing. Universal and Cinemark announced Monday a multiyear agreement that guarantees three full weekends, or 17 days, of theatrical exclusivity for Universal and Focus Feature titles before a film can become available to rent on demand. Earlier this summer, Universal made a similar agreement with the nation's largest chain, AMC Theaters. Zoradi said that Universal was forward-thinking in coming to this “mutually beneficial agreement" and wouldn't be surprised if more studios follow suit. Cinemark, which operates brands like Century, Tinseltown and Rave, operates some 332 theaters in the U.S. and 202 internationally.

NEW YORK – The Pixar film “Soul” will skip theaters and instead premiere on Disney+ on Christmas, the Walt Disney Co. announced Thursday, sending one of the fall's last big movies straight to streaming. The successive delays of the film industry's would-be blockbusters has only made the dire circumstances of movie theaters more acute. Without aid, the organization said, 69% of small and mid-sized movie theater companies will close or go bankrupt. “The stark reality is that many movie theaters will not be able to open again if they don’t receive government help,” says Esther Baruh, director of government relations for the association. It recently announced that it would lay off 28,000 workers, most of them at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

ORLANDO, Fla. Cinemark Theaters announced Wednesday that it will begin reopening its theaters as early as June 19. We are evolving how we operate to make sure you feel confident and comfortable when you visit one of our theaters said Mark Zoradi, Cinemark CEO. Cinemark says every theater will undergo thorough cleanings at business openings and before, and after every film is shown. (Cinemark Theaters)All theaters will have reduced capacities and seats throughout the auditorium will be blocked off to encourage social distancing between groups. Cinemark Orlando and XD and Universal Cinemark at CityWalk will reopen to guests on July 3.

AMC Theaters, the world's largest theater operator, said Tuesday that it expects to have 97-98% of its theaters worldwide reopened by mid-July. It will be up to movie theater operators to convince moviegoers that its safe to once again sit in the dark among strangers. Only recently have state guidelines allowed the reopening of theaters in California (including in the countrys top market, Los Angeles, where local officials have yet to agree). Before Tenet arrives, theaters will play just as those that are currently open are showing recent and classic catalog offerings. Though a handful of movies have been steered to streaming or on-demand platforms during the pandemic, most studio films have been postponed until theaters reopen.