BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – Cinemas nationwide are trying to recover from hardships caused by COVID-19.

Many of them have had to close their doors or find different ways to deliver films.

Now that more people are vaccinated and COVID restrictions are lifted, we wonder if people are returning to theaters?

Well, Russell Fix, director of Grand 22 Theaters, says the answer is yes.

It has been a long time since this cinema was full of customers, now that COVID restrictions are relaxed and production companies are releasing new films, it is hoped that the seats will soon be filled with people going to the cinema.

Whether you buy a ticket to see the new crime drama or just get out of the house, the cinema offers many people the opportunity to sit back and relax.

“Well, that’s the big screen and you can sit there, and you don’t have to worry about ringing or turning off the phone or going to the bathroom or whatever.” You can just relax, ”said Dewey Oster, a resident of Bismarck.

But when COVID-19 hit the theater had to change the customer experience to follow the proper guidelines.

“Masks were needed and we were also taking temperatures,” Fix said.

Now that the theater is fully open and the restrictions lifted, people are excited to be able to do what they love.

“I love movies. I love the big screen and that sort of thing and of course since COVID it’s questionable, but at least the theater is open now, ”Oster said.

Fix says he’s looking forward to a busy summer.

“We’ve seen it especially on weekends and we’re starting to see it more and more during the week. People are just thrilled that there is a new product and this summer almost every week there are two to three new movies, stuff that should have been released last year, ”Fix said.

Fix says that while the restrictions have been lifted, they still have plexiglass in concession stands and spaced movie times to allow for more cleaning between screenings.

Fix says the most popular movies right now are Mortal combat, The girl who believes in a miraclesand Godzilla vs. Kong.

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