There are very few cultural staples that have lasted as long as the movie theater. For over a century, people have gathered inside to witness the latest that Hollywood and the film industry have to offer. With the introduction of streaming services in recent years, attendance in movie theaters has dwindled. On top of that, Covid led to the temporary closure of many theaters.

In April 2021, the Arclight in Montgomery Mall permanently closed, leaving 20 theaters vacant until AMC bought and reopened them in March 2022. Now, the Regal in Rockville will join the long list of 38 other Regal theaters across the nation that are closing their doors.

“I’m very surprised that Regal is officially closing. It has been there as long as I can remember and has always been a local staple. Regal is definitely beloved by the locals and has a lot of history in Rockville, so it’s definitely going to be weird not seeing it anymore,” senior Norah Mannle said.

Regal was one of five theaters within three miles of WJ, the others being iPic at Pike & Rose, Landmark’s Bethesda Row in downtown Bethesda, AMC in Wheaton and the AMC at Montgomery Mall. 

Cineworld, the parent company of Regal, filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy, which allows for the reorganization of the corporation, in September 2022. This was the second time a Regal parent company filed for bankruptcy, the first being in October 2001.

Many students from WJ have experienced dating back years from movies at Regal. 

“I remember that I used to go watch movies with my dad there once in a while when I was younger, but I definitely am not as attached as most other people. It was just a place that everyone recognized and loved, no matter if they actually went there to watch movies or not,” Mannle said.

Other students spoke on the importance of the theater in the Rockville community.

“Regal theater was a staple of the Rockville community and it is a shame that it shut down,” senior Jack Kennon said.

The closing has led students to rethink how they will approach seeing new movies for the foreseeable future. 

“I will probably watch movies from now on at the iMAX in Rio. My dad and I have been there a few times recently and it’s really nice!” Mannle said. 

So far, a date for the closure has not been announced and the theater will continue to show the latest movies.