Coolidge Corner Theatre Announces Vaccination Requirement

The uptick in coronavirus cases across Massachusetts has prompted some Boston-area theater companies, music venues and restaurants to require proof of vaccination at the door. But movie theaters have been slower to follow suit.

This week, the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline became the first cinema to announce a proof-of-vaccination policy for movie patrons.

Starting Sept. 3, visitors to the theater will have to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test that was administered 72 hours prior. The Cabot Theater in Beverly also announced a vaccination requirement, but only for its live events, not its movie screenings.

The Coolidge’s announcement comes a few weeks after a joint decision by 14 local theater companies to require vaccination or a negative test for live productions.

Coolidge director of development and marketing Beth Gilligan said the new requirement was prompted in part by similar policies at local performance venues as well as other movie theaters across the country. It is also a response to the wishes of the Coolidge’s own audience.

"Our audience members had been asking about it, we had been getting inquiries," Gilligan said. "And when we announced it we had just an outpouring of support."

The theater will continue to operate at full capacity and require masks.