If you were thinking about dressing up as your favorite Star Wars character before heading out to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 18, 2015, you may need to think twice, at least if your costume involves a mask or weapon prop. Several theater chains have issued statements regarding their dress policies which may limit your costume options.
AMC Theaters has posted this policy on their
Star Wars page:
"AMC does not permit weapons or items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable or detract from the movie-going experience. Guests are welcome to come dressed in costume, but we do not permit masks. In short, bring your lightsaber, turn it off during the movie, and leave the blaster and Darth Vader mask at home."
Cinemark has listed a similar policy:
"Star Wars costumes are welcome. However, no face coverings, face paint or simulated weapons (including lightsabers/blasters) will be allowed in the building."
While these policies are pretty standard and nothing new, the enforcement of them for big movie events like Star Wars where many people do tend to dress up as their favorite characters on opening night may come as a surprise for some, though it really shouldn't with the rise of reported theater gun violence events in recent years such as the most notable one which involved a shooting back in 2012 during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
