Odeon cinemas are the latest chain to be hit by the coronavirus pandemic leading to the release of long-awaited blockbusters being suspended.
It is believed to be shutting a quarter of its cinemas during the week.
While the move falls short of Cineworld's announcement today that it was temporarily closing all its cinemas this week - with no date given for when the chain will reopen again - the latest announcement is another major blow to the cinema industry.
Odeon, which operates 120 cinemas in the UK and Ireland, has contacted members of its Limitless loyalty scheme to say that some of its venues will move to a weekend-only model from this Friday.
The move to a "weekend only" model will affect 30 branches, starting this weekend.
The Odeon operates a number of multiplexes in the Merseyside region - the largest at Liverpool ONE, with others at Switch Island and Bromborough in Wirral.
Odeon, which is owned by AMC Theaters, the world's largest cinema chain with more than 1,000 outlets, blamed the lack of almost any new films.
"We look forward to reopening full-time when the big blockbusters return," the company said in an email to customers.
"But in the meantime, we promise to bring you a great choice of big-screen films to enjoy at the weekends."
The decision comes after big film studios have delayed major film releases including the upcoming James Bond No Time To Die, to wait for better audiences.
A total of 127 Cineworld and Picturehouse theatres in the UK will shut from this Thursday.
Cinemas affected in Merseyside include Cineworld in Speke and St Helens and The Picturehouse at FACT in Liverpool.
