The coronavirus pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on movie theaters across the country: Regal Cinemas closed all 536 theaters in the U.S. earlier this month, and AMC Theatres is reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy. But AMC may have found a creative way to bring in some revenue.

AMC's newest pitch: "Grab 19 pals," head to one of their theaters and split a $99 bill. You'll get to watch the movie that you want with the people that you love.

St. Petersburg movie-goers seem to be in for it, too. Michael Henthorn said he was a new-movie cinephile before the pandemic hit.

“I enjoy watching movies at a theater. I went to the theater as a young kid a lot with my father," he said.

But since the pandemic, movie lovers like Henthorn had to stop doing what they’ve always enjoyed doing. Theater chains such as AMC have seen their revenues drop roughly 22 percent, according to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

But of AMC's new pitch, “It sounds like a good idea to keep things open, keep things rolling," Henthorn said.

Terry Watson is another movie theater fan. He questioned how this would actually bring in some revenue.

“What happens if you want to see the movie and I want to see the movie and my 20 friends all get that auditorium, does that mean you can’t get in?”

In order to reserve an auditorium, fans simply fill out a form on AMC's website. The price for renting out a theater goes up to $349 depending on the movie and the location of the theater, and according to the AMC website, you can also bring your own food for a $250 catering fee.