From Blockbuster to Rat-Buster: The Cleanup Begins at Waco’s Cinemark Theater

Come for the Movies, Stay for the Mice.

Cinemark Theater in Waco is Under Investigation

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District has opened an investigation into reports of mice at the Cinemark theater in Waco. According to KWTX, multiple theater goers reported random rodent encounters.

The Real Horror Movie Isn’t the Movie on the Screen

The report that opened the investigation was from an anonymous patron who filmed a mouse running behind the row of seats during the movie. She told KWTX that her main concern was the fact that food was being sold at the theater. She said when she looked behind the row of seats to film the mouse, it smelled like a hamster cage.

This is Where It Goes Off the Rails...For Me Anyway

Abagail Salas told KWTX that she had an unwanted encounter with a mouse at the theater on October 14th. She said when she heard a noise, she used the flashlight on her phone and saw a mouse gnawing on the lid of her drink. She said this was after it climbed down her arm. Salas said her big problem was how comfortable the mice were around people.

One Customer Devised a Self-Preservation Plan

Cole Pauley had heard about the mouse problem, but he was not going to let it interfere with his movie time. He told KWTX that he brought a mouse trap to the theater and by the end of the movie, a mouse had met its end as well. Pauley said he blamed the problem on excessive construction in the area that is driving the mice out of grassy areas. At the end of the day, Pauley said he thought the situation was funny.

And Now a Word From Cinemark

According to KWTX, Cinemark released a statement saying, “Given nearby construction, we’ve strengthened our protocols and partnered with specialists to maintain high standards of cleanliness. We’re pleased with the progress and remain committed to delivering an outstanding moviegoing experience for every guest.” Salas disagreed with the theater’s claim of progress in eliminating the problem. She told KWTX that she knew people that had visited the theater in the past week, and they, too, encountered mice.