Film lovers will have more than 450 films to choose from when cinemas reopen

More than 450 films will be available to cinemas when they reopen to help them entice audiences back.

The films have been collated by the Film Distributors’ Association (FDA) in a document entitled Relaunching Cinema: Content for Recovery.

The collection has been split into 25 categories and features comedy, documentary, musical, horror, romance and science-fiction features.

They include all in the films in these blockbuster series: Harry Potter, Fast and Furious, Dark Knight, Matrix, Hunger Games, Twilight and Back To The Future.

There will also be recently released hits such as Military Wives, Trolls: World Tour, Misbehaviour, Calm With Horses, Sonic The Hedgehog, Onward and Emma.

And for those pining for a classic, The Wizard Of Oz, Casablanca, Lawrence Of Arabia and The Sound Of Music will be available.

The list of titles is part of the first stage of cross-industry body Cinema First’s coronavirus recovery strategy.

Andy Leyshon, chief executive of the FDA, said: ‘This amazing collection of content represents all that’s great about cinema and should enthral and delight film lovers the length and breadth of the land.’

Many cinemas around the UK are expected to reopen next month after shutting their doors in March.

Cineworld confirmed its plans to reopen its branches across England as early as July 10.

The chain said the reopening date depended upon government guidelines, but they were working towards resuming service next month.

Dozens of blockbusters, such as James Bond in No Time To Die and Tom Cruise’s Top Gun sequel have been delayed because of the Covid-19 shut down.

The firm confirmed new socially distancing seating restrictions will be used, along with freely available hand sanitiser.

This will reduce the capacity of each Cineworld cinema by around 50 per cent.

To further reduce congestion, movie start times will be staggered to prevent the build up of too many patrons in the foyer at the one time.

To reduce the interaction between staff and members of the public, E-Tickets will be available to book in advance.

Despite the social distancing guidelines, the company’s computer system will allow friends and families to sit together. 

Staff serving food and drinks will be protected behind plastic screens and customers will be asked to use contactless payments. 

Rival chain Vue Cinemas is aiming to reopen on July 4 with enhanced cleaning and employee-protection measures.

Protocols will include ‘staggering film times to maintain social distancing and operate responsibly’, along with ‘physically isolating family groups through our online booking systems’. 

Odeon Cinemas has not announced an official reopening date, but Deadline reported the chain confirmed it is aiming to reopen in ‘early July’.

Showcase Cinemas confirmed it was ‘working towards’ a July 4 opening. 

Cineworld has 128 sites in the UK and Ireland, although only those in England are scheduled to reopen next month. 

The company said it was training its staff to deal with the new Covid-19 guidelines and PPE will be issued to employees where necessary.