AMC Entertainment Sees Highest May Attendance in Seven Years
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 5 hours ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Attendance Surge: AMC Entertainment achieved its highest attendance in seven years for May 2026, with 25.5 million moviegoers, including 4.2 million over Memorial Day weekend, indicating a robust recovery and strong demand for the cinematic experience.
- Strong Box Office Performance: Major releases like The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie exceeded $75 million domestically, driving AMC's box office results to consistently surpass expectations, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Summer Outlook: Both AMC and rival Cinemark anticipate a strong start to summer with upcoming releases such as Scary Movie and Masters of the Universe, suggesting significant box office potential in the coming months.
- Stock Price Uptrend: Shares of AMC and Cinemark are trending higher in premarket trading on Monday, reflecting investor optimism regarding the upcoming strong summer box office season.
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Analyst Views on AMC
Wall Street analysts forecast AMC stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
0 Buy
3 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 1.730
Low
1.30
Averages
2.02
High
3.00
Current: 1.730
Low
1.30
Averages
2.02
High
3.00
About AMC
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. is a movie exhibition company. The Company is principally involved in the theatrical exhibition business and owns, operates or has interests in theatres primarily located in the United States and Europe. The Company operates through two segments: U.S. markets and International markets. In the U.S. markets segment, it owns, leases or operates theatres in 41 states and the District of Columbia. The International markets segment has operations in or partial interest in theatres in the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, Finland, Norway, and Denmark. Its brands include AMC, AMC CLASSIC and others. It also offers food and beverage alternatives beyond traditional concession items, including collectible concession vessels, made-to-order meals, customized coffee, healthy snacks, beer, wine, premium cocktails, and dine-in theatre options. It operates approximately 870 theatres and 9,700 screens across the globe.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AMC Reports Record May Attendance Amid Strong Film Lineup
- Record Attendance: AMC welcomed 25.5 million guests in May 2026, marking the highest attendance since 2019, which underscores robust market demand and audience enthusiasm for both established blockbusters and new intellectual properties, thereby solidifying AMC's leadership in the cinema industry.
- Strong Holiday Performance: During the Memorial Day weekend in 2026, AMC attracted over 4.2 million moviegoers, making it the best Thursday-through-Monday period of the year so far, reflecting the positive impact of holiday releases on box office performance.
- Debt Management Progress: AMC has successfully eliminated approximately $183 million of exchangeable notes and another $156 million in May 2026 through a series of refinancing transactions and debt-for-equity exchanges, significantly alleviating near-term financial pressure and enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
- Shift in Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment around AMC surged from 'neutral' to 'bullish' in the past 24 hours, with message volume increasing from 'normal' to 'high', indicating growing investor confidence in AMC's future performance, despite analysts maintaining mixed ratings on the stock.
See More
AMC Entertainment Sees Highest May Attendance in Seven Years
- Attendance Surge: AMC Entertainment achieved its highest attendance in seven years for May 2026, with 25.5 million moviegoers, including 4.2 million over Memorial Day weekend, indicating a robust recovery and strong demand for the cinematic experience.
- Strong Box Office Performance: Major releases like The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie exceeded $75 million domestically, driving AMC's box office results to consistently surpass expectations, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Summer Outlook: Both AMC and rival Cinemark anticipate a strong start to summer with upcoming releases such as Scary Movie and Masters of the Universe, suggesting significant box office potential in the coming months.
- Stock Price Uptrend: Shares of AMC and Cinemark are trending higher in premarket trading on Monday, reflecting investor optimism regarding the upcoming strong summer box office season.
See More
A24's Backrooms Tops Box Office with $81.5 Million Opening, Youngest Director Record Set
- Strong Box Office Performance: A24's horror thriller Backrooms opened to an impressive $81.5 million in North America, contributing to a total domestic box office nearing $3.69 billion for 2026, which is over an 11% increase from the same period last year, providing a much-needed boost to theaters.
- Record-Setting Young Director: At just 20 years old, director Kane Parsons has set a record as the youngest director to helm a No. 1 film globally, showcasing the potential and market appeal of new-generation filmmakers, which may attract more investment and attention to young creators.
- Competitor Performance: Despite Backrooms' standout performance, Focus Features' Obsession saw a remarkable over 10% increase in ticket sales in its third weekend, grossing $26.4 million, highlighting the ongoing appeal of the horror genre and high audience demand.
- Summer Release Outlook: As theaters gear up for a busy June schedule, several new releases are anticipated, including Amazon's Masters of the Universe and Paramount's Scary Movie reboot, which are expected to further drive box office growth.
See More
Gen Z Fuels Box Office Comeback
- Increased Viewing Frequency: Data from Fandango indicates that in 2025, Gen Z averaged seven movie viewings, matching millennials, while Generation X and baby boomers averaged only six, highlighting Gen Z's growing significance in box office dynamics.
- Expanding Market Share: Gen Z accounted for nearly 40% of moviegoers in North America, with AMC's marketing VP Carrie Trotter noting that not only is their number increasing, but their viewing frequency is also rising year over year, potentially making them the most crucial audience in the future.
- Popularity of Loyalty Programs: Participation in movie loyalty programs among Gen Z has tripled since the pandemic, with AMC's A-List attracting a significant number of young viewers, indicating their willingness to spend more for social activities and movie experiences.
- Social Experience Priority: Gen Z prioritizes social experiences when choosing films, with Trotter stating that they prefer to enjoy movies with friends and family, suggesting that this social aspect drives box office growth beyond mere film content.
See More
AMC CEO Adam Aron Boosts Shareholding, Signaling Confidence
- Share Purchase Details: AMC Entertainment's CEO Adam Aron reported an open-market purchase of 250,000 shares at an average price of $1.38 per share on May 19, 2026, totaling approximately $345,000, increasing his direct holdings to 2,437,020 shares, which indicates confidence in the company's future.
- Increased Ownership Percentage: This transaction raised Aron's direct ownership by 11.43%, reflecting his optimistic outlook on AMC's future, particularly as the company reported first-quarter sales of $1 billion, up from $862.5 million the previous year.
- Financial Recovery Indicators: AMC's first-quarter adjusted EBITDA reached $38.3 million, a significant improvement from a negative $57.7 million in 2025, marking the best performance since the pandemic, suggesting a revival in business and increased audience engagement.
- Market Timing Analysis: Although AMC's stock price has significantly declined from its 52-week high of $3.60 in 2025, Aron's purchase signals that he views this as a good investment opportunity, prompting investors to monitor the company's performance over the next few quarters to assess its growth potential.
See More
AMC CEO's Share Purchase Indicates Optimism
- Share Acquisition: AMC CEO Adam Aron purchased 250,000 shares at a weighted average price of $1.38 on May 19, 2026, totaling approximately $345,000, which increased his Class A holdings by 11.43%, bringing his total direct ownership to 2,437,020 shares, reflecting confidence in the company's future.
- Financial Recovery: AMC's Q1 2026 sales reached $1 billion, a 15.9% increase from $862.5 million in the previous year, while adjusted EBITDA improved to $38.3 million from a negative $57.7 million in 2025, indicating a significant recovery post-pandemic.
- Positive Market Reaction: Aron's share purchase coincided with the release of AMC's Q1 earnings, suggesting his optimistic outlook, especially with record attendance during the holiday weekend, which further bolstered market confidence in AMC.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Although AMC's stock is down significantly from its 52-week high of $3.60 in 2025, Aron's purchase is seen as a buying opportunity; however, analysts advise potential investors to monitor the company's performance over the next few quarters to ensure the sustainability of its recovery.
See More
AMC Reports Record May Attendance Amid Strong Film Lineup
- Record Attendance: AMC welcomed 25.5 million guests in May 2026, marking the highest attendance since 2019, which underscores robust market demand and audience enthusiasm for both established blockbusters and new intellectual properties, thereby solidifying AMC's leadership in the cinema industry.
- Strong Holiday Performance: During the Memorial Day weekend in 2026, AMC attracted over 4.2 million moviegoers, making it the best Thursday-through-Monday period of the year so far, reflecting the positive impact of holiday releases on box office performance.
- Debt Management Progress: AMC has successfully eliminated approximately $183 million of exchangeable notes and another $156 million in May 2026 through a series of refinancing transactions and debt-for-equity exchanges, significantly alleviating near-term financial pressure and enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
- Shift in Market Sentiment: Retail sentiment around AMC surged from 'neutral' to 'bullish' in the past 24 hours, with message volume increasing from 'normal' to 'high', indicating growing investor confidence in AMC's future performance, despite analysts maintaining mixed ratings on the stock.
See More
AMC Entertainment Sees Highest May Attendance in Seven Years
- Attendance Surge: AMC Entertainment achieved its highest attendance in seven years for May 2026, with 25.5 million moviegoers, including 4.2 million over Memorial Day weekend, indicating a robust recovery and strong demand for the cinematic experience.
- Strong Box Office Performance: Major releases like The Devil Wears Prada 2 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie exceeded $75 million domestically, driving AMC's box office results to consistently surpass expectations, thereby reinforcing its market position.
- Summer Outlook: Both AMC and rival Cinemark anticipate a strong start to summer with upcoming releases such as Scary Movie and Masters of the Universe, suggesting significant box office potential in the coming months.
- Stock Price Uptrend: Shares of AMC and Cinemark are trending higher in premarket trading on Monday, reflecting investor optimism regarding the upcoming strong summer box office season.
See More
A24's Backrooms Tops Box Office with $81.5 Million Opening, Youngest Director Record Set
- Strong Box Office Performance: A24's horror thriller Backrooms opened to an impressive $81.5 million in North America, contributing to a total domestic box office nearing $3.69 billion for 2026, which is over an 11% increase from the same period last year, providing a much-needed boost to theaters.
- Record-Setting Young Director: At just 20 years old, director Kane Parsons has set a record as the youngest director to helm a No. 1 film globally, showcasing the potential and market appeal of new-generation filmmakers, which may attract more investment and attention to young creators.
- Competitor Performance: Despite Backrooms' standout performance, Focus Features' Obsession saw a remarkable over 10% increase in ticket sales in its third weekend, grossing $26.4 million, highlighting the ongoing appeal of the horror genre and high audience demand.
- Summer Release Outlook: As theaters gear up for a busy June schedule, several new releases are anticipated, including Amazon's Masters of the Universe and Paramount's Scary Movie reboot, which are expected to further drive box office growth.
See More
Gen Z Fuels Box Office Comeback
- Increased Viewing Frequency: Data from Fandango indicates that in 2025, Gen Z averaged seven movie viewings, matching millennials, while Generation X and baby boomers averaged only six, highlighting Gen Z's growing significance in box office dynamics.
- Expanding Market Share: Gen Z accounted for nearly 40% of moviegoers in North America, with AMC's marketing VP Carrie Trotter noting that not only is their number increasing, but their viewing frequency is also rising year over year, potentially making them the most crucial audience in the future.
- Popularity of Loyalty Programs: Participation in movie loyalty programs among Gen Z has tripled since the pandemic, with AMC's A-List attracting a significant number of young viewers, indicating their willingness to spend more for social activities and movie experiences.
- Social Experience Priority: Gen Z prioritizes social experiences when choosing films, with Trotter stating that they prefer to enjoy movies with friends and family, suggesting that this social aspect drives box office growth beyond mere film content.
See More
AMC CEO Adam Aron Boosts Shareholding, Signaling Confidence
- Share Purchase Details: AMC Entertainment's CEO Adam Aron reported an open-market purchase of 250,000 shares at an average price of $1.38 per share on May 19, 2026, totaling approximately $345,000, increasing his direct holdings to 2,437,020 shares, which indicates confidence in the company's future.
- Increased Ownership Percentage: This transaction raised Aron's direct ownership by 11.43%, reflecting his optimistic outlook on AMC's future, particularly as the company reported first-quarter sales of $1 billion, up from $862.5 million the previous year.
- Financial Recovery Indicators: AMC's first-quarter adjusted EBITDA reached $38.3 million, a significant improvement from a negative $57.7 million in 2025, marking the best performance since the pandemic, suggesting a revival in business and increased audience engagement.
- Market Timing Analysis: Although AMC's stock price has significantly declined from its 52-week high of $3.60 in 2025, Aron's purchase signals that he views this as a good investment opportunity, prompting investors to monitor the company's performance over the next few quarters to assess its growth potential.
See More
AMC CEO's Share Purchase Indicates Optimism
- Share Acquisition: AMC CEO Adam Aron purchased 250,000 shares at a weighted average price of $1.38 on May 19, 2026, totaling approximately $345,000, which increased his Class A holdings by 11.43%, bringing his total direct ownership to 2,437,020 shares, reflecting confidence in the company's future.
- Financial Recovery: AMC's Q1 2026 sales reached $1 billion, a 15.9% increase from $862.5 million in the previous year, while adjusted EBITDA improved to $38.3 million from a negative $57.7 million in 2025, indicating a significant recovery post-pandemic.
- Positive Market Reaction: Aron's share purchase coincided with the release of AMC's Q1 earnings, suggesting his optimistic outlook, especially with record attendance during the holiday weekend, which further bolstered market confidence in AMC.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Although AMC's stock is down significantly from its 52-week high of $3.60 in 2025, Aron's purchase is seen as a buying opportunity; however, analysts advise potential investors to monitor the company's performance over the next few quarters to ensure the sustainability of its recovery.
See More
