Can you wear paint to watch ‘Wicked?’ See Rules at AMC, multiple theaters

On November 28, 2024By Littum

Pink goes well with green, but maybe not in the cinema.

If you’re among the extra-enthusiastic and thoroughly dedicated fanbase who plans to go all out with your look when you see “Wicked” in theaters, think again.

The long-awaited adaptation of the Tony Award-winning show starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo brought in $114 million in its opening weekend alone, as millions flocked to see the first of the two-act series. Emulating the leading ladies with cheery pinky suits like Grande, who plays Glinda, and green skin like Erivo, who stars as Elphaba, are the more obvious options to dress for the occasion.

But some major movie theaters across the country are saying “no,” at least to some of the clothing.

Theatergoers on social media and beyond have reported trouble getting into theaters like AMC and Cinemark, specifically while wearing green face and body paint. Several viral posts have detailed customers being turned away or asked to scrub off the paint in the bathroom. Still others said they were allowed into the same chains with no problem.

However, there is still some confusion as netizens reportedly feel the rules are unclear or have been inconsistently enforced.

Worried about defying movie theater rules when trying to grab a seat to watch Elphaba defy gravity? Here’s what you need to know.

Fans turned away at AMC, Cinemark to turn green

Plenty of fans tap into their inner theater child at “Wicked” performances, choosing to dress up as their favorite characters and attend the shows in creative and sometimes impressive attire.

The two favorites are of course sparkly pink Glinda looks and moody black and green Elphaba looks. However, some of the particularly enthusiastic devotees who went the extra mile and painted their skin to match Elphaba’s green complexion met with mixed reactions from movie theaters.

In some cases, people say they were allowed inside while wearing rather elaborate costumes, e.g a TikToker @gabrielle.leggwho was not only painted green, but wore a specially made broom, dress, wig and hat.

However, other posters shared on multiple platforms that they had been kicked out of theaters or asked to remove the paint before being allowed inside.

In a video by @jamieforst which amassed just under 17 million views, a young woman can be seen trying to wipe the green off her face in the theater bathroom accompanied by a text overlay explaining “PSA: Don’t show up to an AMC wearing face paint, they won’t let you in. “

Another fan, @regards, posted it they were kicked out of a Cinemark theater for wearing green paint while others suffer @celineserrano84 reported again is told to wash off the makeup in the bathroom before admission.

AMC declined to comment or clarify its policies on face paint and costume, referring USA TODAY to the company’s policy prohibiting face paint as stated on its website. Cinemark and Regal did not respond to requests for comment.

Comment sections for all the videos were mixed, with some saying the rule was clear and well-known, specifically after the 2012 mass shooting that took place at a Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises.” .”

Others seemed confused about apparent inconsistencies in enforcement.

“Please look up what happened in a movie theater in Aurora Colorado in 2012 during a midnight showing… this is the policy at all movie theaters,” said one comment echoed by many similar posts. However, others pointed out that other recent film releases seemed to have more enforcement.

“Yet everyone for Minions (including me) painted their face (to) watch the movie and there was no problem,” said one. “I literally walked into the theater in full green,” said another, amid a flurry of comments questioning how consistently the rules are enforced.

Can you use face paint to see ‘Wicked’ in theaters?

The official answer? Probably not.

Major cinema chains, including AMC, Regal and Cinemark, have explicitly stated rules against certain forms of dress, including face paint.

AMC website specifies that costumes are generally allowed, but prop weapons, face paint, helmets, non-standard health masks, and anything else that covers the face are not allowed. Cinemark has similar rules that prohibits face paint, simulated weapons or face masks other than personal protective masks.

Other major chains incl Regal Theatres, Showcase cinemas, cineplex, landmark theatres and Marcus Theatres all have similar no face paint, no face obscuring costume policies posted on their websites.

While some have reported being allowed into their local venues in full paint and costume, official policy dictates that these people may have been lucky – but as a general rule, face paint should be avoided.

Why do cinemas ban face paint, masks and some costumes?

While the policies likely exist for a number of practical reasons (who wants to clean up spilled popcorn and painted seats after a screening?), movie theaters across the country on security after the 2012 mass shooting.

During the attack, 24-year-old James Eagan Holmes killed 12 and wounded 70 others using tear gas and multiple weapons. He was dressed in all black and wore a gas mask and ballistic helmet over his face and head in addition to a bullet proof vest, leggings, neck protector, groin protector and tactical gloves.

Initially, some who noticed him thought he had simply dressed up for the film. To further complicate matters, his attire and the initial hurdle of his face and identity caused him to be mistaken for the police when first responders arrived on the scene.

As a result, and fearing potential copycat crimes, American movie theaters quickly implemented stricter and more specific security policies, including those dictating what can be carried into the building.

More ‘Wicked’ cinema drama

“Wicked” hit theaters Friday and covers the first part of the beloved Broadway musical. AMC was in the news earlier this week for pushing back at fans hoping to get the hit songs out of their seats.

After social media roared that “Wicked” screenings would be the site of musical-theater-kids-go-wild sing-a-longs, AMC stepped in.

“At AMC Theatres, silence is golden,” says a 30-second warning before the film.

Featured: Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star