AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc AMC.N will start its first phase of reopening theaters in the United States from Aug. 20, covering more than 100 venues, the company said on Thursday.

The world's largest movie theater chain said it plans to open about two-thirds of its more than 600 theaters in the United States in time for the much-anticipated Christopher Nolan film "Tenet", that is slated for a Sept. 3 release. urn:newsml:reuters.com:*:nBw5J6R8za

Movie theaters across the world have been shuttered since mid-March when several countries imposed lockdowns and social distancing measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

(Reporting by Neha Malara in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta) ((Neha.Malara@thomsonreuters.com; within U.S.+1 646 223 8780; outside U.S. +91 80 6749 3443))