In a monumental achievement, AMC Theatres, the largest movie theatre chain in the world, has recorded the highest domestic revenue for a pre-Thanksgiving weekend in its 104-year history. Thanks to the highly anticipated premieres of “Wicked” and “Gladiator 2,” the theatre circuit witnessed a remarkable surge in both admissions and ancillary sales, marking a thrilling milestone as audiences flocked to cinemas in unprecedented numbers. The three-day event culminated in AMC securing the highest admissions revenue for the weekend just before Thanksgiving since 2019, positioning it as the third highest for this particular weekend throughout the chain’s extensive history.
Over the weekend, AMC Theatres and its European counterpart, Odeon Cinemas, collectively attracted an impressive 4.6 million moviegoers from Thursday through Sunday. This wave of cinema enthusiasm translated into an estimated total of $205 million in domestic revenue, a clear testament to the enduring popularity of blockbuster films in today’s entertainment landscape. AMC Theatres’ CEO Adam Aron expressed his delight, heralding the weekend as a promising kickoff to what is anticipated to be a bustling holiday movie season.
In addition to impressive ticket sales, AMC’s merchandise sales, specifically tied to “Wicked,” saw heightened interest, selling out several items mid-weekend. Unique offerings such as green and pink popcorn vessels and a creatively designed 32-ounce Grippr Cup reflecting the beloved characters Elphaba and Glinda became hot commodities. To further engage their audience, AMC has announced plans to introduce “Wicked Singalong” showings at select locations beginning in late December, adding an interactive element to the film experience that promises to elevate audience participation and enjoyment.
Aron extended congratulations not only to the creative teams behind “Wicked” and “Gladiator 2,” including director Jon M. Chu and Sir Ridley Scott, but also to Universal Pictures and Paramount for their successful marketing strategies. Such collaborative efforts in the film industry have underscored a shared belief that audiences crave immersive theatrical experiences, replete with vibrant sound and visuals that only cinemas can provide. This weekend demonstrated to industry stakeholders that moviegoers are more than willing to embrace multiple high-profile titles concurrently, further solidifying the theatrical experience as an essential component of film promotion and distribution.
As AMC and Odeon bask in the glory of their record-breaking weekend, the momentum continues with the upcoming release of “Moana 2.” Scheduled for debut in U.S. theatres on Wednesday and across Odeon Cinemas in the U.K. on November 29, this film is expected to maintain, if not amplify, the allure of cinematic attendance during the holiday season. The incredible turnout over the past weekend serves as a hopeful indicator for the incoming festive schedule, where audiences are eager to continue their cinematic journey.
AMC Theatres stands not only as a beacon of industry resilience but, more importantly, as a focal point for community connection through film. The recent successes highlight an undeniable truth: people are ready and excited to return to the theaters, especially when it comes to sharing the joy of storytelling in the largest and most vibrant venues imaginable.