The Show Must Go On

Watching movies in theaters has quickly become a nostalgic pastime. However, after seven months of closure, movie theaters are now open in San Diego amongst strict health and safety measures.

Taylor DeGuzman / Arts and Culture Editor 

Smelling the freshly-made, buttery movie theater popcorn, feeling the cold, brisk air as soon as you enter the theater, and sitting in an aisle filled with a group of friends all feel more like a distant memory.

Watching movies in theaters has quickly become a nostalgic pastime. Gone are the days when people would wait in lines to sit in a jam-packed theater, ready to watch the movie of the year. As a sign of the times, movie junkies took a long break from watching films in theaters, especially with the entertainment industry taking a major hit, halting all current productions. Once drive-in movie theaters opened during the summer, frequent movie goers found themselves watching old movies from the comfort and safety of their own vehicles because social distancing was possible.

However, after nearly seven months of closure, traditional movie theaters in San Diego are finally open. And with the major release of Christopher Nolan’s film, “Tenet,” on Sept. 3, people are more than ready to see a new film and have some sense of normalcy. Here are a few ways people can make their next special appearance at the movie theaters as picture perfect, and especially safe, as possible.

Drive-ins: 

Santee Drive-In Movie Theater 10990 N Woodside Ave, Santee, CA 92071

Drive-in movie theaters are making a comeback. For those who miss the watching movies outside of their home, drive-ins are a great way to start — people can enjoy a movie from the comfort of inside their own vehicle. The Santee Drive-in is about 20 minutes away from campus. Gates open at 7:30 p.m. and the film starts at 8:00 p.m. While admission to drive-in theaters back in the 1930s was 25 cents, admission to the Santee Drive-in is $10 a person. Those unfamiliar with drive-ins may not know that drive-ins show a double feature, so individuals pay $10 to see two films, whereas typical movie theater tickets range from $12-$15 a person for one film. According to which double-feature people choose, they will drive into theater 1 or theater 2. The movie pairings this weekend are “Tenet” and “The New Mutants” or “Broken Hearts Gallery” and “Bill & Ted Face The Music.”

Safety Guidelines and Tips

As you drive into the parking lot of the theater, a parking attendant helps to ensure that one parking space is vacant between parked vehicles to promote social distancing. Individuals are more than welcome to bring chairs to set up outside of their cars to view the film, but the quality of the film’s audio is improved within the car. Masks are mandatory when exiting the vehicle to use the restroom or grab some popcorn and drinks from the concession stand. But Santee Drive-in veterans know that it is highly encouraged to bring your own food and drinks from outside.

Beef ‘n Bun
2477 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92020

The famous, and USD fan favorite, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers is close to the Santee Drive-In, as well as Sonic, a vintage style drive-thru fast-food restaurant where workers on roller skates bring food to customers’ cars to enjoy. However, when looking for something different, make a stop at Beef n’ Bun to grab a few burgers, fries, and arguably the best milkshakes in San Diego to add to the vintage feel of your drive-in experience. Entrees range from $6-$10. Make it a combo with fries and a drink, and their regular sized milkshakes become $2.25 instead of $5.69 if not ordered as a combo.

Don’t feel intimidated by the long drive-thru line at this restaurant, which is a testament to the quality of their food and famous milkshakes. Their quick service makes the line go fast, but make sure to get there early to allow ample time before the gates at the drive-in open at 7:30 p.m.

Movie Theaters:

AMC Cinemas
7037 Friars Rd. San Diego, CA 92108 (located in Fashion Valley) 

For those who are ready to sit in almost comfy movie theater seats and complain about how cold the inside of the movie theater is because they swore they didn’t need a jacket, wait no longer! Seriously, AMC’s “Safe & Clean” policies and procedures created a simplified food and drinks menu to promote shorter lines and quicker service.  

AMC theaters have several new restrictions to make sure individuals’ next movie experience is as seamless and safe as possible. Masks are required for all, but be aware that neck-gaiters, open-chin bandanas, and masks with vents or exhalation valves are not deemed acceptable. For eating and drinking inside the auditorium, masks may be removed in order to enjoy food and drinks.

All AMC auditoriums have decreased seating capacities to 40% or less based on municipality guidelines. In auditoriums with reserved seating, AMC’s new ticketing technology will block the seats surrounding individuals’ seating selections. In auditoriums that do not offer reserved seating, AMC recommends that guests leave social distance and space between other guests. If any guest feels uncomfortable in their seat or reserved seat, they may move to another socially distant seat or see an associate for help or for a refund.

There will be extra time between movies for stricter cleaning and disinfecting procedures. A more detailed description of AMC’s new cleaning policies is available online to alleviate any worries or hesitance before visiting any AMC Cinemas.

New films screening at AMC theaters:

• Tenet
• Words on Bathroom Walls
• The New Mutants
• The Personal History of David Copperfield
• The Eight Hundred

Cinemas Under the Stars
4040 Goldfinch St. San Diego, CA 92101

A hidden gem in Mission Hills, and only a 10 minute drive from campus, Cinema Under the Stars offers an escape from traditional movie theaters and provides a different outdoor experience than drive-ins. The outdoor theater is known for mostly screening classic films and cult favorites, previously showing films such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “The Princess Bride,” “Singing in the Rain,” “Casablanca,” and much more. Featuring a 20-foot screen with HD projection, Cinema Under the Stars screens movies each week Thursday through Sunday, with movies starting at 8 p.m.

Guests suggest bringing a pillow and blanket to add to the cozy, comfortable feel of the outdoor theater. Tickets for the theater start at around $18, and guests must reserve tickets by 5 p.m. on the day of the screening. When reserving seats, the website blocks specific seats in order to promote social distancing between guests. Seating includes single or double zero-gravity reclining chairs, loveseat cabanas, or regular deck chairs with ottomans.

For parking, there is a paid lot next door, as well as free street parking in the neighborhood after 6 p.m. 

Other theaters open in San Diego: 

• Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Del Mar
• Ultrastar Cinemas Mission Valley – Hazard Center 
• Regal Edwards Mira Mesa IMAX & RPX 
• Angelika Film Center & Café – Carmel Mountain

People are continually yearning for “the opportunity to do something again,” as said in a Portland Monthly article titled, “Are Drive-In Movies Really Here to Save Us?,” by Connor Reed. There is a very comforting feeling that accompanies movie watching, especially with friends and family, and people miss that.

Whether it be the Santee Drive-In, movie theaters nearby, or the Cinema Under the Stars, there are a myriad of options to choose from to satisfy that movie theater craving. And while there are still several uncertainties in the world today, one thing is certain — watching movies has changed drastically. No one knows when the next time movie-goers will get to sit shoulder to shoulder in a packed movie theater, but for now, health and safety come first. The show must go on.