New York (CNN Business) President Trump outlined a plan Thursday to reopen the economy. In the first phase, large venues like movie theaters can operate "under strict social distancing protocols." But opening a movie theater — and, more importantly, getting audiences back in the seats — isn't as easy as just turning on a projector.

Movie theaters are cultural institutions that can be more affordable than going to restaurants or sporting events, and many parents are eager for something to do with their kids outside of the house. But movie theaters aren't an ideal place for social distancing, even if theaters limit capacity.

And even if they do open, will audiences show up?

Comscore SCOR "It's all going to be about consumer confidence and making people feel safe to go to the movies," Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at, told CNN Business. "It's a challenge, because everything that makes movie theaters special — the communal experience — are the very things that people and health experts are concerned about."

Dergarabedian believes that, when theaters do finally open, it will be at a limited capacity. And they will likely do "whatever possible to make theaters as sanitary, safe and clean as they can be," he added.