Cinemark Looks to Tighten Security with Bag Ban

Cinemark has banned all large bags from their auditoriums.

• By Sydny Shepard
• Feb 22, 2018

In a move to boost the security and safety of moviegoers, Cinemark has banned large bags and backpacks from its theaters nationwide.

The move was highly criticized as one to keep patrons from bringing in outside candy and popcorn, but the company says the new policy will "enhance the safety and security of our guests and employees."

The new policy goes into effect on Feb. 22, at all Cinemark locations in the United States, any bag bigger than 12 inches by 12 inches by 6 inches will not be allowed in the auditoriums. There will, however, be an exception for medial-equipment or diaper bags. Cinemark says they will not provide lockers or check-in areas for bags that are too large to be taken inside.

The popular movie theatre also noted that they "reserve the right to inspect all bags and packages entering the theatre."

Cinemark's policy change comes after incidents like the mass shooting in an Aurora, Colo. in 2012 that killed 12 people, the attack on The Voice star Christina Grimmie where she was shot and killed backstage after one of her concerts and the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. where 17 people were killed.

Cinemark isn't the only venue to boost security in this way. Over the past few years sports arenas, concert venues and university arenas have asked their patrons to do away with large bags and opt for clear totes that allow security personnel to view what they are carrying inside.