Cinemark bans large bags from its movie theaters

Movie theater giant Cinemark will not allow large bags inside its theaters anymore, starting Thursday.

The movie theater company, which operates Century Theatres, CineArts, Tinseltown and Rave Cinemas, posted the new bag policy on its website, saying that “in an effort to enhance the safety and security of our guests and employees,” any bags or packages measuring larger than 12 x 12 x 6 inches will not be allowed into the theaters.

The exception to the rule will be medical bags or diaper bags. The statement on the website pointed out that the company’s theaters do not have a general area to check bags and said staff has the right to inspect bags or packages entering the theater.

It’s not the first time a large theater operator has created a similar policy. Regal Entertainment Group told its staff in 2015 to start inspecting bags that were coming into the theater. Concert venues and sporting arenas in the Bay Area often check bags on event nights. UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium bans bags except those that are clear plastic, such as one-gallon storage bags, or small clutches.

Cinemark’s policy will apply to a slew of theaters in the Bay Area. It operates close to 30 theaters around the Bay Area and a total of about 65 throughout California.