20 Maine Movie Theaters to Visit Now That Regal Cinemas in Brunswick is Closed
It's official, the Regal Cinema in Brunswick has gone through with its planned shutdown, with February 12 having been its last day.
As reported earlier this year, the Brunswick location is one of at least 51 Regal theaters to have either already closed or planning to close. This includes a theater in Boston, Massachusetts, and Concord, New Hampshire.
It's hardly surprising to see these closures. The movie theater industry has taken one of the largest hits from the Covid pandemic. Even though the dark days have passed, many folks just haven't gone back to the movies. According to Box Office Mojo, gross revenue dropped by 81% in 2020. It did jump back nicely in 2021 and 2022, but is still billions behind what it was pre-pandemic.
The Regal in Brunswick seems have just been a victim of circumstance. However, it wasn't the first, and won't be the last. Even with pandemic restrictions gone, the cinema industry is also losing significant market share to streaming services. These services are producing and premiering films constantly, as well as getting the rights for first-run films.
Fortunately, we still have many options in Maine to enjoy the big screen. And many of those have become more versatile by showing live events, hosting concerts, and boosting the food and drink game.
Below is a list of 21 cinemas across the state that feature not just film, but good old-fashioned entertainment. These include drive-ins, traditional cinemas, 100-year-old theaters, and community centers, each one with its own unique character.
What's your favorite theater?