Devoted fans of "Wicked," eager to immerse themselves fully in the magical world of the film, arrived at AMC screenings with their faces painted an emerald hue, but were unexpectedly met with a request to remove their face paint before entering the theater's enchanting realm. Following the release of Jon M. Chu's adaptation of the Broadway sensation last weekend, social media buzzed with videos of enthusiasts mimicking Cynthia Erivo's verdant character, Elphaba, by adorning themselves with green face paint for their cinematic journey.
Yet, it seems that several of these enthusiastic souls were turned away at the door and compelled to scrub off their festive countenance in the bathroom, only then being granted access to the screenings. "This is the most absurd regulation I've ever encountered," lamented a TikTok user named Celine Serrano in a recent clip. "Apparently, AMC won't permit face paint, so I'm forced to wash it off in the loo — oh well." Alongside her video, she quipped, "@AMC Theatres, I see others on TikTok gliding in with face paint — why not me??"
Another TikToker, whose companion similarly faced rejection due to their face paint, shared a footage of their friend erasing their makeup in the restroom. "Public Service Announcement: Don't arrive at AMC with face paint; they'll shut you out," they cautioned, specifying in the caption, "At least the Burbank AMC in L.A. doesn't allow it."
AMC's website clarifies that "[face] paint, helmets, masks (except for those worn for health and safety reasons), or any facial coverings are prohibited" for safety precautions. Notably, other prominent cinema chains such as Regal, Cinemark, Cineplex, Landmark Theatres, and Marcus Theatres uphold similar regulations.
Interestingly, some theaters have warmly welcomed patrons adorned in costumes. "Can't fathom being banished from the theater. Mine let me in with my full Elphaba ensemble," boasted another TikToker, sharing a video of themselves dressed to the nines as the character. "[They] even snapped photos of me," they added gleefully.
Earlier this week, AMC issued a preemptive strike, alerting moviegoers that belting out "Wicked" tunes during the film was strictly forbidden. In a brief, "Wicked"-themed preshow advisory video, AMC emphasized, "At AMC Theaters, silence is golden. No chatting. No texting. No sing-alongs. No wailing. No flirting. And absolutely no name-calling. Embrace the cinematic magic."
Speaking to IndyStar, AMC spokesperson Ryan Noonan explained that this had been the theater's "standing policy" to prevent "disruptive conduct." However, they wished to highlight these guidelines particularly now, amidst the musical's cinematic debut featuring timeless hits like "Defying Gravity" and "Popular."
Starring Ariana Grande as Glinda the Good Witch, "Wicked" continues to cast its spell over audiences in theaters worldwide.
