Theater Enhances Movies With Screams of Childhood Exhuberance

At some point this idea was probably brought up during a Nickelodeon staff meeting.

By Seth G. Macy

If you've ever thought movie theaters were too quiet, or playgrounds too loud, one Mexico-based movie theater chain has just what you're after.

According to the LA Times, Cinepolis, the "world’s fourth-largest cinema operator," is installing playground equipment inside some of its theaters. The concept, called "Cinepolis Junior," aims to make the movie-going experience "more fun" for kids.

Right now there are only two locations in the U.S., both in Southern California, and they're set to debut on March 16 in conjunction with the release of Disney's live-action Beauty and the Beast remake.

Existing Cinepolis Junior location in Mexico

The concept of mashing up theater and playground isn't new, first appearing in Mexican theaters in 2014. From there, the concept spread to Spain, Costa Rica and Guatemala. According to the report, bringing the concept to the United States meant turning down the volume a bit on the reckless fun of childhood to conform to stricter, more boring, playground safety regulations in the U.S.

Putting a playground into an existing movie theater doesn't come cheap. The installation costs around $500,000 USD, but it's a small price to pay if it means more kids in the seats, or beanbag chairs, or crazy slides, or fun-ball pit.

Beauty and the Beast is expected to score big at the box office, going head to head against Logan. The R-rated Logan had a great opening weekend, but probably won't be shown in the fun new playground movie theaters.

Seth Macy is IGN's weekend web producer and just wants to be your friend. Follow him on Twitter @sethmacy, or subscribe to Seth Macy's YouTube channel.

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