Mary Walrath-HoldridgeUSA TODAY
Pink goes well with green, but maybe not in the movie theater.
If you're among the extra enthused and thoroughly dedicated fanbase planning to go all-out with your look when seeing "Wicked" in theaters, you may want to think again.
The long-awaited movie adaptation of the Tony-award-winning show starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo pulled in $114 million on its opening weekend alone as millions flocked to see the first of the two-act series. Emulating the leading ladies with perky pinky garb like Grande, who plays Glinda, and green-tinged skin like Erivo, who stars as Elphaba, are the more obvious options to dress for the occasion.
But some major cinemas across the nation are saying "no," at least to some of the apparel.
Theatergoers on social media and beyond have reported issues entering theaters like AMC and Cinemark, specifically while donning green face and body paint. Several viral posts have detailed customers being turned away or told to scrub the paint off in the bathroom. Yet others said that they were allowed into the same chains without issue.
Some confusion remains, however, as netizens reportedly feel the rules are unclear or have been inconsistently enforced.
Worried about defying movie theater rules when trying to grab a seat to watch Elphaba defy gravity? Here's what to know.
Ready to sing along at 'Wicked'? It's not happening in AMC movie theaters
Fans turned away at AMC, Cinemark for showing up green
Plenty of fans are tapping into their inner theatre kid at "Wicked" showings, opting to dress up as their favorite characters and attend the screenings in creative and sometimes impressive garb.
The two favorites, naturally, are sparkly pink Glinda looks and moody black and green Elphaba looks. Some of those especially enthusiastic devotees who took the bit the extra mile and painted their skin to match Elphaba's green complexion, however, faced mixed reactions from movie theaters.
In some cases, people say they were allowed inside while wearing pretty extensive costuming, like one TikToker @gabrielle.legg, who was not only painted green but sported a custom broom, dress, wig and hat.
Other posters, however, shared on multiple platforms that they had been kicked out of movie theatres or told to remove the paint before they were allowed in.
In one video by @jamieforst that wracked up just under 17 million views, a young woman can be seen trying to wipe the green off her face in the theater bathroom accompanied by a text overlay that explains "PSA: Do not show up to an AMC wearing face paint they will not let you in."
Another fan, @sincerelycynser, posted that they were kicked out of a Cinemark theater for wearing green paint, while others like @celineserrano84 again reported being told to wash the makeup off in the bathroom before admittance.
AMC declined to comment or clarify its face paint and costume rules, directing USA TODAY to the company's policy banning face paint as stated on its website. Cinemark and Regal did not respond to requests for comment.
Comments sections on all of the videos were mixed, with some saying the rule was clear and well-known, specifically after the 2012 mass shooting that happened in aCentury 16movie theaterinAurora, Colorado during a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."
Others seemed confused as to apparent inconsistencies in enforcement.
"Please look up what happened at a movie theater in Aurora Colorado in 2012 during a midnight screening… this is the policy at every theater," said one comment echoed by many similar posts. Others pointed out, however, that other recent movie releases seemed to have laxer enforcement.
"Yet everyone for Minions (including me) painted their face (to) watch the movie and there was no problem," said one. "I literally went to the theater in full green," said another amid a rash of comments questioning how consistently the rules are enforced.
Can you wear face paint to see 'Wicked' in theatres?
The official answer? Probably not.
Major movie theatre chains including AMC, Regal and Cinemark have explicitly stated rules against certain attire, including face paint.
AMC's website specifies that costumes are generally allowed, but prop weapons, face paint, helmets, masks that are not standard for health purposes and anything else covering the face are not allowed. Cinemark has similar rules that prohibit face paint, simulated weapons or face masks other than personal protective masks.
Other major chains including Regal Theatres, Showcase Cinemas, Cineplex, Landmark Theatres and Marcus Theatres all have similar no face paint, no face-obscuring costume policies posted on their websites.
While some have reported being allowed into their local locations in full paint and costumes, official policy dictates that those people may have gotten lucky − but as a blanket rule, face paint is to be avoided.
Why do movie theatres prohibit face paint, masks and some costumes?
While the policies likely exist for a variety of practical reasons (who wants to clean up spilled popcorn and paint-stained seats after a showing?), movie theatres across the nation buckled down on safety after the 2012 mass shooting.
During the assault, 24-year-oldJames Eagan Holmes killed 12 and injured 70 others using tear gas grenades and multiple weapons. He was dressed in full black and wore a gas mask and ballistic helmet over his face and head in addition to a bullet-resistant vest, leggings, throat protector, groin protector and tactical gloves.
Originally, some who noticed him thought he had simply dressed up for the film. To complicate matters further, his clothing and the initial obstruction of his face and identity allowed him to be mistaken for police when first responders arrived on the scene.
As a result and fearing potential copycat crimes, U.S. movie theatres quickly implemented stricter and more specific safety policies, including those that dictate what can be worn into the building.
More 'Wicked' movie theater drama
"Wicked" hit theaters Friday and covers part one of the beloved Broadway musical. AMC was in the news earlier this week for pushing back on fans who hoped to belt out the popular songs from their seats.
After social media was abuzz that "Wicked" screenings would be the site of musical-theater-kids-gone-wild sing-a-longs, AMC stepped in.
"At AMC Theatres, silence is golden," a 30-second advisory before the movie says.
Contributing: Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star