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The Spectrum 8 Theatres on Delaware Avenue in Albany reopens April 20, 2021. (John Carl D'Annibale/Times Union)

Regal Cinemas, which brought back two of its five Capital Region movie theaters on Oct. 23, will close them again after Thursday's screenings, but the Spectrum 8 Theatres in Albany, owned by the Landmark chain, will reopen on Friday, according to representatives of the respective companies.

"Regal is temporarily suspending operations ... at the remainder of our theaters in New York state and California until the public health and operational environment allows for the resumption of a full release slate," spokesman Richard Grover said in a statement.

News of the impending closure, without a date attached, was first reported Monday by the entertainment-industry website Deadline. Regal said the closure affects its Capital Region theaters, nine others in New York and seven in California.

The Spectrum is reopening Friday, Landmark Theatres spokeswoman Margot Gerber said. Debuting movies listed on its website include the Kevin Costner-Diane Lane drama "Let Him Go," the highly anticipated sci-fi thriller "Tenet," by writer-director Christopher Nolan, and "Fatman," an R-rated comedy starring Mel Gibson as Santa Claus, who, according to promotion material, "battles a highly skilled assassin hired by a precocious 12-year-old who received a lump of coal in his stocking."

Regal's decision was made as theater chains confront cautious crowds leery about the spread of coronavirus as well as a shortage of new movies. Hollywood has postponed the release of a number of fall and winter blockbusters including the new James Bond movie, "No Time to Die," and "Dune," Denis Villeneuve's take on the classic sci-fi book.

Grover said Regal will "resume operations when key markets offer more concrete plans on their reopening status and, in turn, studios are able to bring their pipeline of major releases back to the big screen."

All movie theaters in New York closed when the coronavirus began to surge in March. The industry was among the last to get approval to reopen from Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo. Though mask wearing and social distancing rules remained in place, restaurants and some entertainment venues reopened over the summer, and the movie industry lobbied to be included in the reopening.

Steve Barnes has worked at the Times Union since 1996, served as arts editor for six years, and since 2005 has been a senior writer. He generally covers restaurants, food and the arts, and is the Times Union's restaurant columnist and theater critic. Steve was also a journalism instructor at the University at Albany for 12 years. You can reach him at sbarnes@timesunion.com or 518-454-5489.