Latest news with #AMCTheaters
Forbes
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
AMC Theater's Juneteenth Promotion Features Sinners and 40 Acres
AMC Theaters is offering moviegoers discounted tickets for Sinners and 40 Acres at select theaters on June 19 in honor of the Juneteenth holiday. The promotion gives audiences an opportunity to screen 40 acres, a post-apocalyptic thriller starring Danielle Deadwyler, before its official release in theaters July 2. Sinners, the most recent box office hit from creative duo Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan, has been arousing conversation since its April debut and is also available to stream. While discounted movie tickets may seem like a modest gesture, any corporate initiative that highlights racial justice—especially amid today's widespread pushback—merits recognition. Juneteenth-themed promotions escalated in 2020 in the wake of protests against anti-Black racism and police violence. From social justice campaigns to special product lines—who can forget Walmart's Juneteenth ice cream debacle—many household brands and retailers integrated the holiday into their marketing efforts. Just four years after President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday, however, some corporations are downsizing their celebrations and scaling back on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts more broadly. On one hand, AMC's offering is a clever tactic to lure people to the movies on a weekday that many will have off from work. Viewed against the historical backdrop of the struggle for justice that has unfolded at U.S. movie theaters, however, this promotion is also an opportunity to reflect on hard-fought gains. For Black activists fighting for civil rights in the early 20th century, cinema was much more than entertainment. The nation's latest high tech amusement echoed and reinforced racist Jim Crow era policies, so it became a battleground in the struggle for justice. Activists approached both the theaters and the films they screened as opportunities to bring attention to daily injustices, and to demand change. Budget-friendly movie houses known as nickelodeons became a favorite attraction for urban dwellers in the first two decades of the 20th century. The silent films they exhibited could be enjoyed by all, including large numbers of new immigrants who did not speak English. This new form of entertainment was so accessible, in fact, that movies became known as 'a democratic art.' Movie theaters may have been inclusive to people of little means, but the color line that segregated the United States also cut through the cinema. Black Americans who migrated to Northern cities in the 1910s and 1920s tended to meet great resistance when they attempted to enjoy the movie houses that had become part of the urban landscape. In some cases, police were called upon to keep Black patrons out. Despite the opposition they faced, Black moviegoers insisted on their right to take up space in the cinema. They organized protests against theaters that illegally maintained whites only policies, and some filed lawsuits. Other entrepreneurs created space for Black moviegoers by establishing Black-owned theaters in their own neighborhoods. For example, the Pekin Theater in Chicago and Dreamland Theatre in Tulsa were the first cinemas to cater to Black patrons in their respective towns. The struggle for justice at the movies did not end in the aisles of the theater, of course. Black Americans have long prioritized cultural representation in the broader fight for civil rights, asserting that full citizenship includes the right to be depicted as full human beings on screen. Contemporary filmmakers like Coogler can practice their craft freely, while also enjoying box office success, because of earlier generations who worked to make movie theaters inclusive to Black storytellers and Black audiences. Carving out time to enjoy Sinners or 40 Acres in the theater on Juneteenth could be the perfect way to honor their efforts.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Where to Watch ‘How to Train Your Dragon': Is the Live-Action Remake Streaming?
It's time to head back to Berk — the live-action adaptation of 'How to Train Your Dragon' is finally here. Based on the animated film first released in 2010, the live-action film from DreamWorks and Universal Pictures is once again written and directed by Dean DeBlois. It tells the story of a young man who unexpectedly befriends the most feared dragon out there and strives to change the relationship between humans and the creatures forever. Here's what you need to know. 'How to Train Your Dragon' releases nationwide on Friday, June 13. But, depending on where you live, you can likely catch an early showing on Thursday, June 12. You can check showtimes near you below: AMC Theaters Regal Cinemas Fandango No, you'll only be able to catch 'How to Train Your Dragon' on the big screen — at least for now. It'll head to home video a few weeks after its theatrical run, and we'll keep you posted on an exact date. Since it's a Universal Pictures film, odds are, it'll will head to Peacock first when it's available on streaming. 'How to Train Your Dragon' tells the story of Hiccup, a member of a Viking clan on the Isle of Berk, who's a bit of a disaster by their dragon-killing standards. But, when he manages to wrangle the most dangerous dragon of all, he realizes that maybe his people have the creatures all wrong, and works to change things. You don't! The live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' is not a continuation of the animated version, but rather a pretty faithful adaptation. You'll get the same story, no matter which one you watch first. It's not quite a shot-for-shot remake, but it is pretty close. The live-action version keeps nearly all of the key scenes and dialogue, with a few cuts and additions here and there simply because that's how adaptations work. But if you're a longtime fan of the animated film, odds are you won't be disappointed by this one. Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, Julian Dennison, Nick Frost, Gabriel Howell, Bronwyn James, Harry Trevaldwyn, Ruth Codd, Peter Serafinowicz and Murray McArthur are all members of the cast. The post Where to Watch 'How to Train Your Dragon': Is the Live-Action Remake Streaming? appeared first on TheWrap.
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
AMC makes major theater change that will frustrate customers
AMC Theaters (AMC) had a rough start to 2025. The theater chain suffered a major loss as it struggled to attract moviegoers, despite major releases such as "Captain America: Brave New World," "Snow White," "Wolf Man," and "Dog Man." In its first-quarter earnings report for 2025, AMC revealed that its total revenues fell by about 9% year-over-year, while movie theater attendance in the U.S. dropped by 11%. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter AMC also reported a net loss of $202.1 million during the quarter, which is higher than the $163.5 million net loss it suffered during the same quarter last year. Related: AMC announces generous offer to win back customers "Setting aside those first quarters directly impacted by Covid and its aftermath, the January to March industry box office in 2025 was the lowest it has been since 1996," said AMC CEO Adam Aron in the report. The dip in attendance comes after AMC's average movie ticket price in the U.S. reached $12.31 during the first quarter of this year, which is higher than the $12.19 average it reported for the same quarter in 2024. Movie ticket prices have been rising over the past few years amid inflation. According to recent data from The Numbers, the average movie ticket price in the U.S. was $11.31 in 2024, which is 3% higher than the $10.94 average in 2023. As prices increase, some consumers have been avoiding movie theaters like the flu. A recent survey from the Wall Street Journal found that 65% of consumers said they prefer to watch movies at home, while 35% said they prefer to watch films in theaters. Amid this trend, AMC has made a bold move to dodge further price increases; however, customers may not be thrilled about the decision. The theater chain has reportedly landed a deal with cinema advertising company National CineMedia to run more commercials before movie screenings begin, according to a recent report from The New York Times. AMC claims this deal will allow it to rely less on increasing movie ticket prices to boost its revenue. Related: Paramount makes drastic decision amid shift in customer behavior "For the past five years, AMC has sought out crucial revenue that is not reliant on the increase of base ticket prices," said AMC in a statement to the Times, adding "while AMC was initially reluctant to bring this to our theaters, our competitors have fully participated for more than five years without any direct impact to their attendance." The move from AMC comes after its top rivals, Regal and Cinemark, signed the same deal with National CineMedia in 2019. AMC was also offered the deal that same year; however, it "flatly rejected" it due to its concerns that "U.S. moviegoers would react quite negatively to the concept," according to a press release. The deal is expected to make pre-show advertisements last, on average, 20 to 30 minutes long. It is no surprise that AMC is continuing to dodge increasing its ticket prices as it has recently made several attempts to make moviegoing more affordable for consumers, who are battling inflation and higher costs of living. A few months ago, the theater chain added a new A-List Classic tier subscription to its flagship subscription service AMC Stubs A-List. The new tier offers a lower-price plan for guests who prefer to watch a maximum of one movie per week at AMC Classic locations. It also made several tweaks to AMC Stubs A-List to attract more frugal customers, such as expanding A-List weekly movie access from three titles a week to four, and lowering the age eligibility from 16 to 13 to attract more teens and families into theaters. During an earnings call in May, Aron said these changes are "designed to ease the pain of a healthy price increase." Related: Disney CEO offers unexpected response to tariff concerns The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
You're about to get ads right before the movie at AMC too
AMC Theaters will show ads after the trailers starting July 1 in a bid to boost revenues. Rival chains including Regal and Cinemark have had pre-show advertising since 2019. Attendance at AMC's US theaters fell 11% in the first quarter. You're going to see ads right before the movie at AMC Theatres from next month. The cinema chain is adding a "platinum spot" in between the trailers and the film from July 1. The move is part of an agreement with National CineMedia that will give AMC a slice of the revenue from these ads, which the company describes as "vital" to its post-pandemic recovery. Rivals including Regal and Cinemark have been playing pre-show ads since 2019. AMC had held out over fears of alienating movie fans. AMC said in a statement that its competitors had not suffered "any direct impact to their attendance. This is a strong indication that this NCM pre-show initiative does not negatively influence moviegoing habits." AMC said last month it would start offering 50% off tickets on Wednesdays for members of its loyalty scheme in a bid to boost midweek attendance, alongside an improved selection of food and beverages. Revenues fell 9% to $862 million in the first quarter for AMC, while attendance at US theaters fell 11%. Total US box office takings stood at nearly $3.4 billion by the end of May, per Comscore data — 26% higher than the same period last year. A $4.2 billion haul is being forecast by the data provider for period from the first weekend in May to the Labor Day weekend in early September, Screen Daily reported. That could beat 2023's "Barbenheimer" summer when ticket sales reached almost $4.1 billion. Read the original article on Business Insider
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
AMC Theatres: New Plan Of Ads Before Movies Won't Detract Moviegoers
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 05, 2021. Photo an an AMC theater lobby (Photo by Noam Galai/WireImage) AMC Theaters is confident its new business model of running ads before movies won't discourage filmgoers from coming to movies at the theater chain. AMC announced Wednesday that it has partnered with movie ad company National CineMedia to add a 'platinum spot' with commercial ads before movies, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The ads, of course, will run in addition to the movie trailers that run before shows. 'While AMC was initially reluctant to bring this to our theaters, our competitors have fully participated for more than five years without any direct impact to their attendance,' AMC Theatres said in a statement (via THR). 'This is a strong indication that this NCM pre-show initiative does not negatively influence moviegoing habits.' AMC and National CineMedia will share the revenues from the endeavor, THR reported. AMC's ad program with NCM will begin on July 1. 'For the past five years," AMC noted in a statement through a spokesperson to Deadline, 'AMC has sought out crucial revenue that is not reliant on the increase of base ticket prices.' "We've done this through more and better moviegoing enhancements like our significant expansion of PLFs, a greater selection of food and beverage offerings, and the introduction of movie-going merchandise like popcorn buckets and other collectable concession vessels,' AMC said in the statement (via Deadline). NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 09 (Photo by) AMC Theatres is the largest theater chain in the U.S. and Europe. As the largest theater chain worldwide, AMC has 900 theaters that hold 10,000 screens. The company recently noted in a press release that it had a record-breaking Memorial Day weekend holiday at the box office, with 'more than 7 million moviegoers visited an AMC in the United States or an ODEON Cinemas location internationally from Thursday through Monday.' Over the five day, period, which ran from May 22-26 — and saw the openings of Disney's Lilo & Stitch and Tom Cruise's Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning — 'AMC set all-time weekend records for the Memorial Day holiday for admissions revenue, food & beverage revenue and overall revenue at its domestic locations,' the press release noted. The theater chain added that May 22-26 was the most attended weekend of 2025 and marked its highest-attended Memorial Day weekend since 2013.
