While theatres continue to get ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, the moviegoing industry is also paying attention to the federal government's moves. With Congress pushing to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour, the theatre industry strongly opposes the plan.

According to Variety, executives within the moviegoing business claim that the increase to the minimum wage would "kill" the theatre industry, arguing that it's not sustainable for business. It's worth noting that big chains like AMC and Regal keep only about 50% of the money they take from ticket sales each year, while smaller theatres keep roughly 40% of their ticket sales.

"That would kill us," said Byron Berkley, owner of Foothills Entertainment in Kilgore, Texas. "We couldn't justify raising our admission prices and concession prices to compensate for that kind of increase and still expect people to patronize the business. It would be disastrous." Workers in Kilgore make a minimum of $7.25 an hour, with the poverty line hovering at $6. Those employed by Berkley at Foothills Entertainment allegedly make just $8 an hour.