Latest news with #Cinemark
CNBC
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CNBC
Cinemark to add 20 ScreenX locations in push for premium moviegoing
Singing witches and blue aliens are set to hit the big screen before the end of the year and bring in droves of moviegoers. Cinemark is preparing for the high demand by adding more unique premium screens to its U.S.- and Latin America-based locations. On Wednesday, the third-largest U.S. cinema chain announced it's adding 20 new ScreenX theaters to its portfolio, expanding its partnership with the South Korea-based CJ 4DPlex. Eighteen of those screens will be built in the U.S. The expansion marks ScreenX's first foray into Latin America. ScreenX is a premium film format that utilizes additional displays on the right and left walls of the auditorium, called wings, to create a 270-degree panoramic field of view. Cinemark already has six ScreenX locations and expects to open six more before the end of the year. "That's been a big goal for us, to get as many theaters open for the last part of the year for 'Wicked: For Good' and, of course, 'Avatar: Fire and Ash,' which is such a seminal movie for all of the industry," Don Savant, CEO of CJ 4DPlex Americas, told CNBC. CJ 4DPlex and Cinemark entered into a six-theater beta test together in 2022, but with the dual writers and actors strikes delaying production and theatrical releases, it took longer to expand the number of locations domestically, Savant said. "They just needed to see a consistent flow of content," he said. The investment from Cinemark in adding more ScreenX theaters is part of a wider trend in the theatrical industry. In the wake of the pandemic, moviegoers have gravitated more and more toward seeing films on premium large format screens. These locations, often referred to as PLFs, offer an elevated viewing experience and charge higher ticket prices. The physical screens are often bigger than traditional movie screens or have auditoriums that feature higher-quality sound systems or seating options. CJ 4DPlex is also the company behind 4DX movie theaters, auditoriums with motion seats, practical effects and sensory elements to immerse viewers in a movie. Savant said the company is focused on "differentiating cinema" and providing audiences with experiences they can't get from streaming offerings or in-home entertainment systems. While PLF receipts still represent a small portion of the overall box office, it's a growing segment of the business. And moviegoers have demonstrated they're willing to pay more for these experiences. So far this year, premium tickets have represented 22% of domestic sales, according to movie data firm EntTelligence. The average cost of an adult ticket year to date for a PLF is $17.61, nearly a dollar higher than the same ticket during the end of 2024.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Fantastic Four: First Steps' popcorn bucket is restocking: How to get one
It's huge, it's bright and it'll cost you almost $100. It's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Galactus LED Popcorn Bucket, which will be available to pre-order this weekend. The Galactus popcorn bucket was initially released on Friday, July 25, the same day the film hit theaters, Cassie Nichols, an AMC Theatres spokesperson, told USA TODAY in an email. "It is virtually sold out after one day of sales," she said, adding that another item, the H.E.R.B.I.E. Concession Vessel, is also selling fast. According to AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark, the Galactus buckets are selling for around $80, and the first batch has already sold out online. The next group will be available on Saturday, July 26. The limited edition buckets can only be purchased once per customer, the theater chains said online. Meanwhile, the H.E.R.B.I.E. buckets are being sold in theaters only, as of Friday, July 25, according to Nichols. Here is what to know about the Galactus popcorn bucket, including where to get it and when it'll arrive at your doorstep. When will Galactus buckets be available for pre-order? The buckets will be available for pre-order at 10 a.m. EST on Saturday, July 26, and customers can also get the buckets in person at the theaters. This next round will be fans' last chance to get their hands on the bucket, according to AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark websites. The upcoming preorder will be the "final production run" of the buckets, which are expected to ship in early December, the theaters said. Other items the theaters have listed include the "Fantasticar" Popcorn Bucket ($59.95 at Regal Cinemas), which looks like the superhero group's flying vehicle from the film. At Cinemark, most Fantastic Four-themed buckets are on sale in theaters nationwide while supplies last, Cinemark Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage David Haywood told USA TODAY on Friday, July 25. He added that the Galactus Popcorn Bucket comes with an XL popcorn on the side for $79.99. Cinemark is also selling an exclusive Mr. Fantastic Popcorn Bucket for $39.95, and it comes filled with popcorn, as well as a large drink. The theater chain also has traditional popcorn tins featuring the characters for $13.95 (and yes, those come filled with popcorn too), Haywood said. A full list of 'Fantastic Four' merch for each theater chain can be found at: AMC Theatres – Cinemark – Regal Cinemas – How big is the bucket? The bucket, shaped like the head of Galactus, is 'massive' and features glowing, bright LED eyes, according to the theaters' descriptions. It's made of plastic and has a metallic finish. Calling the bucket the 'largest popcorn container ever,' the theaters said it is 20 inches wide and nearly 10 inches deep. The bucket holds about nine liters of popcorn, Haywood added. Due to its size, the bucket will ship in a pretty large box, increasing the cost, according to the theaters. What is 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' about? 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' made its theatrical release in the U.S. on July 25. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film is set in a 1960s retro-futuristic world; it follows Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they defend Earth from space god Galactus and Shalla-Bal. The movie's budget was around $200,000,000, and it runs for just under two hours, according to IMDb. As of Friday afternoon, the film's Rotten Tomatoes ratings are 88% among critics and 92% among everyday moviegoers. What popcorn buckets are coming in the near future? When asked about other upcoming releases, Nichols said there will be collectible items sold for films such as "The Naked Gun," "The Bad Guys 2" and "Freakier Friday". "Our themed popcorn buckets have become a popular form of movie merchandise, evolving from basic tins to elaborate, collectible vessels," Nichols said. "The collectibles gained significant traction in 2019 with the R2-D2 bucket for 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' and have since grown even more in popularity among moviegoers with releases tied to major films." Cinemark began seeing interest in movie-specific popcorn buckets years ago with the light-up popcorn tub for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" in November 2022, Haywood said. "We ordered a relatively small quantity, which quickly flew off shelves," he added. "This enthusiasm was really cemented – and we knew this trend (had) really taken on a life of its own – with the launch of our extremely popular 'Scream VI' Ghostface popcorn tub in March 2023. The program was so successful that theaters sold out instantly." Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' $80 popcorn bucket
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Fantastic Four: First Steps' popcorn bucket is restocking: How to get one
It's huge, it's bright and it'll cost you almost $100. It's 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Galactus LED Popcorn Bucket, which will be available to pre-order this weekend. The Galactus popcorn bucket was initially released on Friday, July 25, the same day the film hit theaters, Cassie Nichols, an AMC Theatres spokesperson, told USA TODAY in an email. "It is virtually sold out after one day of sales," she said, adding that another item, the H.E.R.B.I.E. Concession Vessel, is also selling fast. According to AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark, the Galactus buckets are selling for around $80, and the first batch has already sold out online. The next group will be available on Saturday, July 26. The limited edition buckets can only be purchased once per customer, the theater chains said online. Meanwhile, the H.E.R.B.I.E. buckets are being sold in theaters only, as of Friday, July 25, according to Nichols. Here is what to know about the Galactus popcorn bucket, including where to get it and when it'll arrive at your doorstep. When will Galactus buckets be available for pre-order? The buckets will be available for pre-order at 10 a.m. EST on Saturday, July 26, and customers can also get the buckets in person at the theaters. This next round will be fans' last chance to get their hands on the bucket, according to AMC Theatres, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark websites. The upcoming preorder will be the "final production run" of the buckets, which are expected to ship in early December, the theaters said. Other items the theaters have listed include the "Fantasticar" Popcorn Bucket ($59.95 at Regal Cinemas), which looks like the superhero group's flying vehicle from the film. At Cinemark, most Fantastic Four-themed buckets are on sale in theaters nationwide while supplies last, Cinemark Senior Vice President of Food & Beverage David Haywood told USA TODAY on Friday, July 25. He added that the Galactus Popcorn Bucket comes with an XL popcorn on the side for $79.99. Cinemark is also selling an exclusive Mr. Fantastic Popcorn Bucket for $39.95, and it comes filled with popcorn, as well as a large drink. The theater chain also has traditional popcorn tins featuring the characters for $13.95 (and yes, those come filled with popcorn too), Haywood said. A full list of 'Fantastic Four' merch for each theater chain can be found at: How big is the bucket? The bucket, shaped like the head of Galactus, is 'massive' and features glowing, bright LED eyes, according to the theaters' descriptions. It's made of plastic and has a metallic finish. Calling the bucket the 'largest popcorn container ever,' the theaters said it is 20 inches wide and nearly 10 inches deep. The bucket holds about nine liters of popcorn, Haywood added. Due to its size, the bucket will ship in a pretty large box, increasing the cost, according to the theaters. What is 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' about? 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' made its theatrical release in the U.S. on July 25. Directed by Matt Shakman, the film is set in a 1960s retro-futuristic world; it follows Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they defend Earth from space god Galactus and Shalla-Bal. The movie's budget was around $200,000,000, and it runs for just under two hours, according to IMDb. As of Friday afternoon, the film's Rotten Tomatoes ratings are 88% among critics and 92% among everyday moviegoers. What popcorn buckets are coming in the near future? When asked about other upcoming releases, Nichols said there will be collectible items sold for films such as "The Naked Gun," "The Bad Guys 2" and "Freakier Friday". "Our themed popcorn buckets have become a popular form of movie merchandise, evolving from basic tins to elaborate, collectible vessels," Nichols said. "The collectibles gained significant traction in 2019 with the R2-D2 bucket for 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' and have since grown even more in popularity among moviegoers with releases tied to major films." Cinemark began seeing interest in movie-specific popcorn buckets years ago with the light-up popcorn tub for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" in November 2022, Haywood said. "We ordered a relatively small quantity, which quickly flew off shelves," he added. "This enthusiasm was really cemented – and we knew this trend (had) really taken on a life of its own – with the launch of our extremely popular 'Scream VI' Ghostface popcorn tub in March 2023. The program was so successful that theaters sold out instantly." Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@
Forbes
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
New $80 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Popcorn Bucket Breaks Records
A new themed popcorn bucket made by Marvel Studios to celebrate the release of 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' has broken size and price records for the novelty items, which have made millions for theaters and helped pull them from the depths of COVID-era losses. Marvel Studios' Galactus popcorn bucket. Cinemark The newest limited edition popcorn bucket holds a massive 9 liters, or 361 oz., of popcorn and is shaped like the movie's villan—Galactus, Marvel's devourer of worlds. The bucket, with its glowing LED eyes and removable horns, is selling for $80 in select theaters and online stores, making it the most expensive novelty popcorn bucket made since AMC Theatres started the trend in earnest in 2019 by releasing an R2-D2 bucket to coincide with the release of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." The buckets are part of a broader strategy to enhance the moviegoing experience and boost concession sales—Regal and Cinemark jumped on board with 'Barbie' and 'Scream VI' themed vessels in 2023, respectively—and it's worked. The items have ranged from $20 to $65 (until the Galactus bucket, that is) and have gotten more elaborate as time goes on: Regal's bucket for "Inside Out 2" was modeled on the character Anger and lit up red, the "War of the Rohirrim" bucket doubled as a hammer and the "Dune Part 2" bucket from AMC required the user to put their hand into a sandworm's mouth to get their snack. Ben Fritz, who covers the entertainment industry for The Wall Street Journal, told NPR the 'very big profit margins' on the vessels have made a big difference for theaters looking to recover from pandemic-era losses: 'They're essentially well-designed pieces of plastic, and they're selling them for 50 bucks, 80 bucks… It's a good profit for the theaters.' Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here : "Only rich people, obviously,' Galactus actor Ralph Ineson responded when asked in an interview how he felt about knowing movie goers would be "eating popcorn out of your head.' $54 million. That's how much AMC said it made in revenue on collectible concession vessels in 2023, TIME reported, up from $0 in 2018. Surprising Fact Even movie directors are in on it. Tim Burton apparently contributed to the design for the 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice' popcorn bucket and James Cameron will have 'final approval' on the 'Avatar 3' popcorn bucket before it comes out in December, according to TIME. Key Background The 'Fantastic Four' bucket is 20 inches wide with the horns of Galactus' helmet attached, 17.5 inches tall and 9.6 inches deep—so big that the theaters are warning online buyers shipping "will cost a bit more than usual." A regular, refillable large popcorn bucket at AMC Theatres is about 150 ounces, making the $80 novelty more than twice as big. The bucket is just one of the custom containers made for 'First Steps' and is available starting Thursday in Cinemark, AMC, and Regal theaters (and on their websites starting July 26, Aug. 1 and Aug. 14, respectively). Other novelty concession items made for "First Steps" include an 85-ounce "Fantasticar" popcorn bucket sold by Regal for $57, a Mr. Fantastic bucket from Cinemark ($58) limited-edition pint glasses from Alamo Drafthouse. Will Novelty Popcorn Buckets Be True Collectables? Hard to say. While some people have certainly gone all-in, there isn't a huge secondary market for most of the buckets, but some do go for above asking price. An eBay seller who got their hands on the new Galactus bucket early has already sold nine for $150 each, and buckets from "Superman," "Barbie" and "Avengers: Endgame" are all listed for $75 or more. "Fantastic Four: First Steps" has an 89% positive score on Rotten Tomatoes and has been praised by critics. The Telegraph called it "Marvel's best film in a decade' and Variety's review was headlined, "Marvel gets its Mojo back with a satisfying retro-styled reboot." The film is set in the 1960s and is a sequel to the 2015 flop featuring the same characters, but new actors. Pedro Pascal stars as Mr. Fantastic, Vanessa Kirby as The Invisible Woman, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing. The four heroes fight Marvel's classic villains Galactus (Ineson) and the Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). What To Watch For How much "Fantastic Four: First Steps" makes at the box office. The film is expected to open anywhere between $100 million to $110 million this weekend, according to industry publications, slightly lower than the $122 million domestic opening of "Superman" two weeks ago. Further Reading Forbes The 'Fantastic Four' Rotten Tomatoes Score Is Genuinely Fantastic By Paul Tassi Forbes Does 'Fantastic Four: First Steps' Have Post-Credits Scenes? How Many And What To Expect By Erik Kain Forbes 'Fantastic Four' Review: Iconic Ensemble Deliver Action And Excitement By Simon Thompson Forbes First Reactions Say 'Fantastic Four' Is 'Possibly The Best Marvel Film Ever Released' By Paul Tassi
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC): A Bear Case Theory
We came across a bearish thesis on AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. on by sabordesoledad. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on AMC. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.'s share was trading at $3.4400 as of July 21st. AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) continues to face structural headwinds in the movie theater business, which was in secular decline even before COVID-19, with the pandemic accelerating negative trends. Per capita attendance has been falling since the early 2000s, and while box office sales have recovered post-pandemic, gains have been driven by ticket price hikes and higher concession sales rather than audience growth. Pixabay/Public Domain Casual moviegoers, a crucial demographic, are increasingly dissuaded by shortened theatrical windows—now averaging around 32 days versus 80–90 pre-pandemic—and the ease of streaming releases. The industry is also contending with a reduced volume of film releases (675 in 2024 vs. 900+ in 2018–2019) and an increasing concentration of box office revenue among a handful of blockbusters. AMC, despite weaker fundamentals and a highly leveraged balance sheet, trades at a premium valuation: 9.9x NTM EV/EBITDA and 11.4x 2025 consensus EBITDA of $449M versus Cinemark's (CNK) 8.2x and 8.6x, respectively. With $4.1B of debt and annual cash interest expense of $400M, AMC remains reliant on equity issuance to de-lever. Revenue in 2024 was still 15% below 2019 levels despite significant price increases—tickets +23% and concessions per attendee +50%—a dynamic that erodes affordability and risks further suppressing attendance. Capex has been cut by 50% to $25k per screen, suggesting underinvestment in maintenance to conserve cash, yet free cash flow remains consistently negative. With only 2M shares left under its current authorization, AMC is expected to seek an expanded share authorization at its 3Q25 AGM, providing a clear catalyst for downside. Previously we covered a on Netflix, Inc. (NFLX) by Margin of Sanity in May 2025, which highlighted the hidden value in Netflix's content library, where amortization accounting obscures the enduring revenue potential of older titles. The company's stock price has appreciated by approximately 5.6% since our coverage as resilient viewership supported the thesis. sabordesoledad shares a contrarian view in AMC, emphasizing structural headwinds from declining attendance, shortened windows, and streaming competition. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 17 hedge fund portfolios held AMC at the end of the first quarter which was 20 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of AMC as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. Sign in to access your portfolio
