Yahoo Movies UK cinemas to close on Monday for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
Cinemas in the UK are set to close next Monday out of respect for Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her state funeral.
A number of chains – including Cineworld, ODEON and Showcase – have confirmed that viewings will no longer go ahead on September 19, as the Queen's state funeral is set to take place that day following her death last week (September 8) aged 96.
In a statement to Digital Spy, Cineworld said: "Out of respect to HM Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family, all of our UK cinemas will be closed on Monday September 19, the day of the state funeral. Those who have made bookings for this day will be contacted shortly."
Related: Queen Elizabeth II 1926-2022: Her life and reign in pictures
ODEON will be closing too, the cinema saying: "As a mark of respect for Queen Elizabeth II all ODEON cinemas in the UK & Northern Ireland will be closed on Monday 19th September. We will re-open again on Tuesday 20th September."
Showcase also confirmed closures, with Mark Barlow, the UK general manager stating: "Following the passing of Her Majesty The Queen, Showcase Cinemas will close all cinemas nationwide on Monday 19th September to allow our guests and employees to join with the rest of the nation and pay their respects. We will be re-opening on Tuesday 20th September."
Also set to close are The Light cinemas and the BFI's venues, including the Southbank and IMAX Waterloo locations, according to ScreenDaily.
Digital Spy has reached out to Vue Cinemas for comment on its plans for September 19.
Related: EastEnders airs topical reference to Queen Elizabeth II's death
It's also been announced that George Clooney and Julia Roberts' new movie Ticket to Paradise has had its planned release this Friday (September 16) pushed back to Tuesday (September 20) due to the Queen's funeral.
"With the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, Universal, Working Title, Julia Roberts, George Clooney and director Ol Parker have all decided to delay the opening of Ticket to Paradise in the UK," a Universal spokesperson said.
They added that the film will be released "after the Queen’s funeral out of respect to the Royal Family and the people of Great Britain and Northern Ireland".
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