Interview with the Vampire (IWTV) has been renewed for a fourth season, and fans are in for another name change and a new showrunner. Season 4 will be called Queen of the Damned in a nod to Anne Rice’s third book in the Vampire Chronicles series. The tale is Akasha’s (Sheila Atim) story. As such, showrunner Rolin Jones is stepping down and executive producer Hannah Moscovitch is rising to the role. Jones will remain an EP on the AMC series as will Mark Johnson.
Moscovitch’s promotion comes as the franchise turns its focus to a female protagonist. This is a change for the series, which has been dominated by the perspective of men since its start with exception to Claudia’s (Delainey Hayles) diary entries. Now it’s a woman’s turn to both live through and inflict the horrors.
In the teaser shared below, Akasha calls to the women of the world to rise up. Her brand of empowerment isn’t civil or collaborative. She has no interest in equal partnership between genders. Akasha wants the slaughter of all men, as she believes it is what women have longed to do.
Who is Akasha in ‘IWTV’?The TV adaptation introduced Akasha in The Vampire Lestat, giving viewers a glimpse into the slumbering queen’s time in Lestat’s (Sam Reid) care as a keeper. She liked him immediately, having sent Marius (Christopher Heyerdahl) to fetch Lestat from his self-made grave in the aftermath of Nikki’s (Joseph Potter) death and Gabriella’s (Jennifer Ehle) abandonment.
However, their whimsy over the pronunciation of the word ‘scoop’ gave way to Akasha’s hunger on New Year’s Eve the night Lestat painted her lips with his blood. She woke and forcibly fed from him before making him drink from her. The nightmare-ish experience gave Lestat a power he could not control.
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For Akasha, the incident opened the floodgates of her memory as she sped through her time alive and as the mother of vampires until she landed on one certain truth, she is the answer to everything. Atim’s chilling and powerful performance in episode 5, “New York,” set the tone for what fans can expect from Akasha in the coming season.
Sam Reid as Lestat de Lioncourt and Sheila Atim as Akasha in The Vampire Lestat
Sophie Giraud/AMC
How ‘The Vampire Lestat’ Sets Up ‘IWTV’s ‘Queen Of The Damned’After harrowing individual experiences post-beheading, Lestat and Louis (Jacob Anderson) reunite on The Vampire Lestat’s tour bus. 45,000 vampires and 10,000 beautifully unwell humans have descended on the venue where the band are supposed to perform a concert in the forest.
However, Lestat refuses to go onstage. He’d previously agreed to the event to satisfy Gabriella’s preoccupation with the Great Conversion, the movement to make more vampires and overrun humanity. It was never an agenda Lestat personally ascribed to and his near death experience, and realization of Louis’ love, finally gave him the ability to push back on Gabriella’s control over his life.
Lestat called his mother a monster because of her abuse of him throughout his existence from their days as humans to their present as vampires. The finale includes a jump to the near future where Lestat is recording The Failures, his account of how Akasha’s rise came to be and how he’s responsible for the destruction he gives the audience a look at when he opens the door to his Montreal home.
The Vampire Lestat ends before the concert that awakens Akasha, but it’s on the horizon and her reign will be explored in Interview with the Vampire season 4.
Watch the teaser for Queen of the Damned:
All seven episodes of The Vampire Lestat are available to stream on AMC+. Follow Sabrina Reed on Forbes for more coverage of IWTV and news about the business of TV.
Investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. Is AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) one of those stocks right now? By taking a look at the stock's year-to-date performance in comparison to its Consumer Discretionary peers, we might be able to answer that question.
AMC Entertainment is one of 259 companies in the Consumer Discretionary group. The Consumer Discretionary group currently sits at #9 within the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank considers 16 different groups, measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the sector to gauge the strength of each group.
The Zacks Rank is a proven system that emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions, highlighting a variety of stocks that are displaying the right characteristics to beat the market over the next one to three months. AMC Entertainment is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy).
Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMC's full-year earnings has moved 4.1% higher. This shows that analyst sentiment has improved and the company's earnings outlook is stronger.
Based on the most recent data, AMC has returned 44.2% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Consumer Discretionary group have lost about 11.5% on average. As we can see, AMC Entertainment is performing better than its sector in the calendar year.
One other Consumer Discretionary stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Bassett Furniture (BSET - Free Report) . The stock is up 22.9% year-to-date.
The consensus estimate for Bassett Furniture's current year EPS has increased 7.9% over the past three months. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Looking more specifically, AMC Entertainment belongs to the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, which includes 28 individual stocks and currently sits at #83 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have lost about 8% so far this year, so AMC is performing better this group in terms of year-to-date returns.
In contrast, Bassett Furniture falls under the Furniture industry. Currently, this industry has 7 stocks and is ranked #30. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +2.3%.
Going forward, investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should continue to pay close attention to AMC Entertainment and Bassett Furniture as they could maintain their solid performance.
Key Takeaways AMC delivered record quarterly revenues and adjusted EBITDA due to stronger attendance and operating leverage.AMC improved financial flexibility by refinancing debt and extending major maturities to 2029 or later.Premium formats, loyalty programs and higher per-patron spending continue to support AMC's profitability. AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC - Free Report) delivered a historic second quarter, reporting the highest revenues and adjusted EBITDA in its 106-year history. While a stronger movie slate fueled industrywide recovery, the bigger question for investors is whether the company can sustain this profitability as the box office continues to rebound.
The answer depends on more than ticket sales. Management emphasized that record adjusted EBITDA of $321.4 million was driven by a combination of higher attendance, disciplined cost control and improved operating leverage. Revenues rose 14.2% year over year to nearly $1.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA surged 70%, reflecting AMC's ability to convert incremental revenues into stronger earnings. The company also generated $190.1 million in free cash flow during the quarter.
AMC believes its operational improvements have made the business structurally stronger than before the pandemic. The company has optimized its theater portfolio, expanded premium large-format screens, increased food and beverage spending per patron and strengthened customer engagement through its AMC Stubs loyalty and A-List subscription programs. These initiatives have enabled AMC to post higher EBITDA than in 2019 despite operating fewer theaters and serving fewer guests.
The balance sheet is also improving. During the quarter, AMC refinanced debt, reduced leverage, extended major debt maturities to 2029 or later and expects lower annual interest expense going forward. Combined with a cash balance of $778 million, these steps provide greater financial flexibility.
Looking ahead, management remains optimistic as a strong film pipeline is expected to support continued box-office recovery. However, maintaining record EBITDA will require AMC to keep executing on cost discipline, premium offerings and higher per-patron spending even if box-office growth moderates. Those operational gains, rather than blockbuster releases alone, will determine whether the company can continue setting new profitability records.
How Do AMC's Rivals Compare in the Box Office Recovery?AMC is not the only exhibitor benefiting from the improving theatrical landscape. Cinemark Holdings (CNK - Free Report) has also capitalized on stronger movie attendance by maintaining disciplined cost controls and expanding premium experiences such as XD auditoriums. Its consistent focus on operational efficiency allows Cinemark Holdings to generate healthy margins while investing selectively in theater upgrades and customer experience.
Another key competitor, Marcus Corporation (MCS - Free Report) , continues to strengthen its theater business through premium screens, enhanced food and beverage offerings, and loyalty initiatives. Although its theater footprint is smaller than AMC's, Marcus has emphasized prudent capital allocation and expense management to improve profitability as moviegoers return.
AMC, however, stands out with its unmatched scale, extensive premium-format network and large AMC Stubs and A-List membership base. These advantages, combined with its ongoing debt reduction and focus on boosting per-patron spending, could help AMC maintain stronger EBITDA growth if the global box office recovery continues and the upcoming film slate remains robust.
AMC’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of AMC have surged 41% in the past six months against the industry’s 4.5% decline.
AMC’s Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, AMC trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 0.36, below the industry’s average of 2.65.
AMC’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The consensus estimate for AMC’s 2026 loss per share indicates a 76.04% year-over-year improvement.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
AMC’s Zacks RankAMC currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) reported what executives described as the strongest quarterly results in the company’s 106-year history, with record revenue, record adjusted EBITDA and sharply improved free cash flow in the second quarter of 2026.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Adam Aron said more than 71 million guests visited AMC and Odeon theaters worldwide during the April-to-June period, up 13.5% from a year earlier. Total revenue increased 14.2% year over year to approximately $1.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 70% to $321.4 million, surpassing $300 million in a quarter for the first time, according to the company.
“In AMC’s entire 106-year history, there has never been a quarter like this one,” Aron said on the company’s earnings call. He added that both revenue and adjusted EBITDA exceeded Wall Street expectations.
Free cash flow for the quarter was $190.1 million, and AMC ended June with $778 million of cash on hand, excluding restricted cash.
Box Office Strength Boosts Results AMC executives pointed to a stronger theatrical slate as a key driver of the quarter. Aron said the domestic industry box office reached $2.99 billion in the second quarter, the highest second quarter in seven years and, based on his review of the data, the fifth-best quarter in the past 50 years.
Six films from Universal, Lionsgate, A24 and Disney each opened domestically to more than $75 million during the period, Aron said. AMC’s domestic ticket revenue rose 11.4%, ahead of the 10.7% increase in the overall domestic box office, while European attendance increased 18% year over year.
Chief Financial Officer Sean Goodman said AMC’s performance was broad-based across its global circuit. In the United States, adjusted EBITDA increased 57.5% to $285.6 million. In Europe, adjusted EBITDA increased 337% to $35.8 million. Goodman noted that international revenue and EBITDA benefited by about 2% from European currency appreciation against the U.S. dollar.
Food and beverage and merchandise sales increased 15.3% globally, while “other revenues” increased 16.1%, Aron said. Goodman added that food and beverage revenue per patron and total revenue per patron reached all-time highs in both the domestic and international businesses.
Margins Improve as Costs Remain Contained AMC’s adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 20.1% in the second quarter from 13.6% a year earlier. Goodman said roughly $200 million of incremental revenue generated $131.9 million of additional adjusted EBITDA, representing about 66% flow-through.
Aron attributed the margin expansion to rising revenue and cost controls across AMC’s theaters and corporate operations. In response to an analyst question, Aron said the company may not repeat the same level of expense containment every quarter, but management intends to remain focused on keeping costs down.
“We’re going to be maniacal in continuing to try to keep our costs down,” Aron said.
Goodman said second-quarter 2026 general and administrative expenses benefited from an approximately $5.5 million credit related to insurance recoveries.
Balance Sheet Actions Reduce Debt and Interest Expense Executives also highlighted progress on AMC’s balance sheet. Aron said the company has $1.7 billion less debt than it had at the end of 2020 and does not expect significant debt maturities before 2029.
Goodman said AMC refinanced $400 million of debt due in 2027, extending the maturity by four years. The company also eliminated approximately $155.8 million of exchangeable debt due in 2030 through conversion into equity.
AMC completed a $150 million at-the-market equity offering, raising more than $85 million of gross proceeds during the second quarter, Goodman said. The company also recently completed a $200 million registered direct equity offering with several institutional investors. Following that transaction, AMC exercised its right to redeem the remaining $125.5 million of 6.8% senior subordinated notes due in 2027, with redemption scheduled for July 24, 2026.
Goodman said the refinancing and repayment actions reduced go-forward annual cash interest expense by approximately $16 million. He added that lower leverage ratios are expected to trigger interest-rate reductions on about 75% of AMC’s debt, lowering annual interest expense by approximately $51 million.
In response to a question about leverage, Goodman said AMC ultimately would like to reach around a three-times leverage level, though he acknowledged the company is not there yet. He said leverage has improved from a double-digit level to less than 6.5 times.
Premium Formats, Loyalty Programs Remain Strategic Focus AMC executives said loyalty programs and premium formats remain central to the company’s strategy. Aron said more than 40 million U.S. households have participated in AMC Stubs, and Stubs members accounted for just over 50% of AMC’s U.S. guest count in the second quarter.
AMC’s A-List subscription program ended the quarter with more than 1.1 million members, more than double its membership five years earlier, Aron said. A-List members accounted for about 20% of AMC’s U.S. patronage in the quarter.
Goodman said AMC closed seven theaters during the quarter and added six new premium large format auditoriums and 25 new XL auditoriums. Since 2020, AMC has closed 225 locations and opened 66, reducing its global theater count by 159 locations, or about 16% of its circuit. Over the same period, the company has added 77 premium large format auditoriums and 193 XL auditoriums.
Aron said AMC and Odeon now operate about 750 premium or enhanced auditoriums globally, including IMAX, Dolby, iSENSE, PRIME, ScreenX, 4DX and XL screens. He said those auditoriums represent about 8% of AMC’s screen count but generated more than 50% of AMC’s ticket gross for “The Odyssey” over the weekend discussed on the call.
AMC expects 2026 net capital expenditures of $200 million to $235 million. Goodman said the company will remain disciplined and that future capital spending will depend on box office expectations and project-level returns.
Management Expresses Optimism for 2026 Slate Looking ahead, Aron cited the opening of Universal Pictures and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which he said had a media-reported $124 million domestic opening weekend. AMC also said 4.3 million guests attended AMC and Odeon theaters from Thursday to Sunday during that weekend.
Aron said upcoming releases including Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” Warner Bros.’ “Dune: Part Three” and Disney’s “Avengers: Doomsday” support management’s view that 2026 could be the strongest post-pandemic year yet for the domestic and global box office.
Executives said AMC’s annual free cash flow breakeven box office level is currently around $10.4 billion. Aron said the company is “within sight” of being free cash flow positive on a 12-month basis, but is not there yet.
About AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc operates as a leading movie exhibition company, specializing in the presentation of theatrical motion pictures across a network of multiplex cinemas. The company’s core business activities encompass ticket sales, concession and refreshment services, and the licensing of premium viewing formats. AMC offers a variety of auditorium experiences, including IMAX®, Dolby Cinema™, and Cinemark’s RealD 3D systems, designed to enhance audience engagement through superior sound, visual clarity, and seating comfort.
Originally founded in 1920 with its first theatre in Kansas City, AMC has evolved into one of the largest theater chains in the world.
Key Takeaways AMC's Q2 adjusted EPS reached 14 cents, while revenues rose 14.2% YoY to $1.60B.Worldwide attendance climbed 13.5% to 71.3 million, boosting admissions and food and beverage revenues.AMC's adjusted EBITDA jumped 69.6% to a record $321.4 million as margin expanded to 20.1%. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC - Free Report) reported second-quarter 2026 results, with earnings and revenues beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The top and bottom lines improved from the prior-year quarter’s levels.
AMC’s performance benefited from a strong and diverse film slate, which drove higher attendance across its global theater circuit. The company also gained from stronger food, beverage and merchandise sales, increased premium-format usage, solid loyalty and subscription engagement, improved per-patron profitability, portfolio optimization and disciplined cost control.
However, AMC reported a wider GAAP net loss, reflecting substantial interest expense and other non-operating charges related to debt and derivative accounting. The company also remains highly leveraged, and management acknowledged that further debt reduction is necessary
Following the release, AMC stock gained 26.8% during trading hours yesterday.
AMC's Q2 Earnings & Revenue DiscussionFor the second quarter, the company reported adjusted earnings of 14 cents per share compared with breakeven earnings a year ago. The figure surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 1 cent by 1,300%.
Revenues rose 14.2% year over year to $1.60 billion and beat the consensus mark of $1.51 billion by 5.83%. Higher attendance, increased food and beverage sales, and disciplined cost management drove the performance.
Attendance Gains Support Revenue GrowthWorldwide attendance increased 13.5% year over year to 71.3 million patrons. U.S. attendance rose 12% to 52.5 million, while international attendance advanced 17.9% to 18.8 million.
Admissions revenues climbed 13.2% to $863.1 million. Food and beverage revenues increased 15.3% to $576.1 million, while other theater revenues rose 16.1% to $157.5 million. The gains reflected a stronger film slate and increased spending across AMC’s global theater circuit.
AMC Posts Broad Segment GainsU.S. market revenues increased 13% year over year to $1.26 billion. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment climbed 57.5% to $285.6 million from $181.3 million.
International market revenues advanced 19.2% to $338.1 million. Adjusted EBITDA jumped 336.6% to $35.8 million from $8.2 million. European currency appreciation provided an approximately 2% benefit to international revenues and EBITDA during the quarter.
AMC Improves Per-Patron MetricsConsolidated food and beverage revenues per patron increased to $8.08 from $7.95 in the prior-year quarter. The metric reached $8.95 in the United States and $5.66 in international markets.
Consolidated contribution margin per patron improved to $14.71 from $14.48. U.S. contribution margin per patron rose to $15.55 from $15.27, while the international figure increased to $12.36 from $12.18.
Profitability of AMCConsolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 69.6% year over year to a record $321.4 million from $189.5 million. Adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 20.1% from 13.6%.
Operating income increased to $238.1 million from $92.6 million. Total operating costs and expenses rose 4.1% to $1.36 billion, well below the pace of revenue growth.
AMC’s Cash Flow & Liquidity StrengthenNet cash provided by operating activities increased 70.1% to $235.4 million. Free cash flow rose to $190.1 million from $88.9 million, while capital expenditures declined to $45.3 million from $49.5 million.
AMC ended the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $778.4 million, excluding $41.1 million of restricted cash, up 81.7% from $428.5 million as of Dec. 31, 2025. Corporate borrowings declined to $3.85 billion from $4.04 billion at the end of 2025.
AMC’s Zacks Rank & Other Key PicksCurrently, AMC flaunts a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Some other top-ranked stocks from the Consumer Discretionary sector:
Flexsteel Industries, Inc. (FLXS - Free Report) currently flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks Rank #1 stocks here.
The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 59%, on average. FLXS stock has surged 85.1% in the year-to-date period. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flexsteel’s fiscal 2026 sales and EPS implies growth of 3.8% and 14.6%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
The Marcus Corporation (MCS - Free Report) currently sports a Zacks Rank #1. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter negative earnings surprise of 40.4%, on average. MCS stock has jumped 53.3% in the year-to-date period.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Marcus’ 2026 sales and EPS indicates an increase of 6.2% and 211.8%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
Vince Holding Corp. (VNCE - Free Report) currently has a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy). The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 635.7%, on average. VNCE stock has rallied 58.4% in the year-to-date period.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Vince Holding’s 2026 sales and EPS implies growth of 7.2% and 34.1%, respectively, from the year-ago levels.
The stock’s positive momentum follows a report that highlighted AMC’s record revenue and EBITDA, showcasing its resilience in the post-COVID landscape as moviegoers return to theaters in droves.
Results Drive Record Revenue And EBITDAAMC announced its highest quarterly revenue in company history, driven by a strong lineup of films and robust food and beverage sales.
The largest cinema chain operator’s revenue rose 14.2% year over year (Y/Y) to $1.60 billion, exceeding estimates of $1.47 billion. This is supported by higher attendance, box office growth, and increased per-guest spending.
Adjusted EPS of 14 cents surpassed the analyst expectations for a loss of six cents per share.
Adjusted EBITDA rose 70% to a record $321.4 million, surpassing $300 million for the first time and improving $131.9 million from the prior-year quarter.
CEO Adam Aron emphasized the company’s success in attracting audiences back to theaters, declaring victory over the competition from at-home viewing options.
"We’re within sight of being cash flow positive, not for a quarter, but for a year," Aron said during the earnings call. He later acknowledged the company is "not quite at the promised land yet… but we’re ever so close."
OutlookManagement expects 2026 to be the strongest post-pandemic year for both domestic and global box office performance.
AMC Technical Outlook: Momentum Improves Above Key AveragesThe stock is currently trading at $2.46, which is approximately 36% above its 200-day simple moving average (SMA) of $1.82. The moving average convergence divergence (MACD) is above its signal line, indicating that downside pressure is easing and momentum is improving compared to the prior downswing.
AMC’s 12-month performance shows a decline of about 28.49%, but recent price action has been more favorable, with the stock trading significantly above its 20-day SMA of $2.01 and 50-day SMA of $1.88. The recent golden cross in July, where the 50-day SMA crossed above the 200-day SMA, further supports the bullish sentiment.
Key Resistance: $3.60 — This level marks the 52-week high, indicating strong selling interest may emerge here. Key Support: $1.88 — This level aligns with the 50-day SMA, providing a potential floor for price action.
AMC Analyst RatingsAnalyst Consensus & Recent Actions: The stock carries a Hold rating with an average price forecast of $1.80. Recent analyst moves include:
Wedbush: Outperform (Raises Forecast to $4) (July 21) Macquarie: Neutral (Raises Target to $2.00) (July 8) Citigroup: Sell (Raises Target to $1.20) (May 7) Benchmark: Upgraded to Buy (Target $2.50) (May 6) AMC Price Action: AMC Entertainment Hldgs shares were down 2.97% at $2.38 at the time of publication on Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) on Monday reported better-than-expected second-quarter results.
Adjusted EPS of 14 cents surpassed the analyst expectations for a loss of six cents per share. The largest cinema chain operator’s revenue rose 14.2% year over year (Y/Y) to $1.60 billion, exceeding estimates of $1.47 billion.
AMC plans to expand its premium large format (PLF) and extra-large format (XLF) footprint by adding 100–250 auditoriums over the next 2–4 years, primarily funded through third-party capital.
AMC shares fell 6.9% to trade at $2.28 on Tuesday.
These analysts made changes to their price targets on AMC following earnings announcement.
Wedbush analyst Alicia Reese maintained AMC with an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $3 to $4. Benchmark analyst Mike Hickey maintained the stock with a Buy and raised the price target from $2.5 to $3. Considering buying AMC stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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The AMC stock apes are back, and this time they brought a blockbuster with them.
Shares of AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC) jumped about 27% on Monday, July 20, 2026, closing at $2.46, after the theater chain posted the biggest quarterly revenue and profit in its 106-year history. The surge extended a hot streak: AMC is up roughly 32% over the past week and about 58% year to date, reviving the frenzied retail trading that made it a meme stock legend in 2021.
The Options Frenzy Screams “Meme Stock” The clearest sign the retail crowd is back is in the options market. More than 300,000 AMC contracts traded on Monday, nearly five times the 30-day average, vaulting AMC into the top 20 most-active options names in the market. Positioning was aggressively bullish: roughly 100,000 calls bought versus 62,000 calls sold, and fewer than 10,000 puts bought. The full-chain put/call ratio of 0.27 shows a textbook AMC apes footprint: speculative, call-heavy, and loud.
But This Time, the Earnings Are Real What separates this rally from the pure short-squeeze mania of 2021 is that it rides real fundamentals. AMC’s second-quarter revenue rose 14.2% year over year to roughly $1.6 billion, and Adjusted EBITDA climbed 70% to a record $321.4 million, the best quarter in the company’s history. Adjusted diluted EPS came in at $0.14 versus a consensus estimate of -$0.02.
The engine was Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey. The film opened to $124 million domestically and $264 million globally in its first three days, Nolan’s biggest global debut ever, recouping its full $250 million production budget almost immediately. That $264 million represents the movie’s three-day worldwide opening gross.
AMC felt the impact directly. The chain drew 4.3 million patrons globally for the film’s opening weekend, and more than half of ticket receipts came from premium giant-screen formats like IMAX and Dolby, which carry higher prices and fatter margins.
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Adam Aron Says the Theaters Have Won CEO Adam Aron is not shy about the moment. He has pointed to “The Odyssey,” alongside “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” “Dune: Part Three,” and “Avengers: Doomsday,” as reasons 2026 could be the strongest year for movie theaters since before the pandemic.
He also declared victory in the long war against at-home streaming. “I think we’ve won that fight,” Aron said on the earnings call.
A Familiar Pattern, With a Familiar Risk The risks remain. AMC still carries $3,851.6 million in corporate borrowings and negative stockholders’ equity of $1,452.7 million. At $2.46, the stock remains down roughly 99% over the past five years, a legacy of heavy dilution and a reverse split used to survive.
The movies are back, a strong summer slate could sustain momentum, and for once the apes have earnings on their side. Whether The Odyssey marks a lasting turn for AMC or just another spike will depend on what happens after the popcorn is swept up.
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For investors who have spent years focusing on dilution, debt and meme-stock volatility, that may represent the company’s most meaningful shift yet.
Record EBITDA, Stronger Cash FlowAMC reported record second-quarter adjusted EBITDA of $321.4 million, up 70% year-over-year, on record revenue of nearly $1.6 billion. More importantly, the company converted that operating momentum into $190.1 million of free cash flow during the quarter, giving management confidence that consistent annual cash generation is now within reach.
“We’re within sight of being cash flow positive, not for a quarter, but for a year,” Aron said during the earnings call. He later acknowledged the company is “not quite at the promised land yet… but we’re ever so close.”
The comments suggest AMC’s investment narrative is beginning to evolve. While the company still depends on a healthy theatrical release slate, management increasingly believes years of cost controls, premium-format expansion and higher spending per guest have structurally improved its earnings power.
CFO Sean Goodman noted AMC generated more revenue and nearly 40% more adjusted EBITDA than it did in the second quarter of 2019 despite attendance remaining well below pre-pandemic levels.
Debt Reduction Creates A Financial FlywheelThe turnaround isn’t limited to operating performance. Aron said AMC has reduced debt by approximately $1.7 billion since the end of 2020, while Goodman said the company now expects no significant debt maturities before 2029 following recent refinancing efforts. Those actions are also lowering borrowing costs, with management expecting meaningful reductions in annual interest expense as leverage ratios continue to improve.
That creates what could become a virtuous financial cycle. Higher EBITDA improves leverage ratios, lower leverage reduces interest costs, and lower interest expense further reduces the box office threshold needed for AMC to generate positive free cash flow over a full year.
“If interest rates go down, interest expense goes down, and that means that the breakeven box office level goes down as well,” Aron said.
Why Investors Should Watch The Next Few QuartersAMC isn’t declaring victory just yet, but the conversation has clearly changed.
For years, investors judged the company by how much cash it could raise and how long it could survive. Following its strongest operating quarter on record, management wants investors to judge it by how much cash it can consistently generate instead.
If upcoming blockbuster releases help sustain box office momentum, the next milestone may not be another record EBITDA quarter—it could be AMC proving that its long-promised transition from a liquidity story to a sustainable cash-flow story is finally complete.
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Shares of AMC Entertainment (AMC +27.32%) soared on Monday after the movie theater leader posted a surprise profit.
Image source: Getty Images.
Better-than-expected Q2 results AMC's total revenue rose 14% year over year to $1.6 billion in the second quarter.
Attendance trends were strong, with six films generating domestic opening weekend grosses of more than $75 million.
"The momentum in the total industrywide domestic box office was undeniable, reaching approximately $2.99 billion, up 10.7% from last year's second quarter, making this the biggest box office quarter in seven years and the fifth biggest quarter ever," AMC CEO Adam Aron said.
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Moreover, the operating leverage inherent in the theater chain's business model was on full display. AMC's adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) surged 70% to $321 million.
The cinema company's operating cash flow also jumped 70% to $235 million. AMC, in turn, produced $190 million in free cash flow, which helped to bring its cash reserves to $778 million as of June 30.
All told, AMC's adjusted net earnings improved to $104 million, or $0.14 per share, from a loss of $0.5 million in the year-ago quarter. That was well above Wall Street's estimates, which had called for a loss of $0.06 per share.
2026 is set to be a good year at the box office AMC's increased profitability, combined with recent share offerings, is enabling it to strengthen its balance sheet by paying down debt. That's reducing the company's interest expenses, which is further bolstering its cash flow generation. In all, AMC has paid off a whopping $1.7 billion in debt since the end of 2020.
Better still, the recent blockbuster-like performance of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey bodes well for an exciting slate of upcoming films, including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three, and Avengers: Doomsday.
"We believe that movie theatres will enjoy, in the full twelve months of 2026, their strongest yet post-pandemic year, at both the domestic and the global box office," Aron said.
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC +26.80%), the movie theater operator with U.S. and European cinema locations closed at $2.46, up 26.8%. The stock soared after Q2 results topped estimates, with investors now watching attendance, cash flow, and debt.
Trading volume reached 181.9 million shares, coming in about 342% above its three-month average of 41.1 million shares. AMC Entertainment Holdings IPO'd in 2013 and has fallen 99% since going public.
How the markets moved todayThe S&P 500 (^GSPC 0.19%) fell 0.19% to 7,443, and the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 0.05%) slipped 0.05% to 25,508. Among movie theater peers, Cinemark Holdings (CNK +5.00%) rose 5.10% to $31.97, while IMAX (IMAX 1.66%) fell 1.66% to $38.60, highlighting mixed sentiment across the group.
What this means for investorsIt was a double dose of good news for AMC Entertainment today. Second-quarter results beat expectations with reported adjusted earnings of $0.14 per share. It also generated $1.6 billion in revenue, marking the highest quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA in its 106-year history.
Additionally, the weekend’s box office, led by The Odyssey, brought more than 4.3 million moviegoers to AMC theaters globally.
CEO Adam Aron stated, “It is clear that our operating results so far this year are vastly improved. AMC has often been underestimated, and yet we continue to outperform.”
Investors clearly agreed with the stock soaring today. Investors still need to monitor the company’s debt level, as it raised billions to survive the extended slump triggered by the pandemic. AMC does look to have its business back on track, though, as long as movies continue to attract viewers.
Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
AMC weekly chart signs of reversal from long-term downtrend. Source: TradingView During Monday’s session, AMC gained approximately 26.8% to end at $2.46. That put the stock back above the 20-day moving average after confirming support near both the 50-day and 200-day moving averages over the past couple of weeks. This is bullish behavior that shows the continued reversal from a downtrend to an uptrend. The reclaim of the 200-day moving average is particularly notable since it follows an initial reclaim of that average during the advance in June. Maintaining this position above key moving averages would further strengthen the improving technical picture.
Resistance Levels Define the Next Test The progression of the rising trend channel structure suggests a potential target near the top boundary of the channel. However, the first upside target is the recent trend high of $2.96. If that level is exceeded, there is a small confluence zone defining an upside target near $3.25 to $3.32, consisting of the 50% retracement of a prior decline and the 100% projection of a rising ABCD pattern, respectively, that begins from the higher swing low in May.
During the June rally, resistance emerged at the confluence of a 61.8% Fibonacci retracement of a prior decline and the 161.8% Fibonacci projection of a prior rising ABCD pattern that forms the rising channel. A similar reaction near upcoming resistance levels will determine whether the current advance develops into a broader continuation of the emerging uptrend.
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. delivered a strong Q2 FY2026, with revenue up 14.2% to $1.60 billion and adjusted EPS beating expectations. AMC saw 13.5% year-over-year attendance growth despite operating fewer theaters, benefiting from robust box office trends and higher food and beverage sales. Adjusted net profit surged to $105.7 million, adjusted EPS hit $0.14, and EBITDA rose to $321.4 million, with net debt reduced to $3.19 billion.
AMC has been around for more than 100 years. On Monday, the company reported its highest quarterly revenue in company history.
This could prove to be a testament to the company’s resilience in the post-COVID world and also a result of a strong slate of movies in the second quarter and strong food and beverage revenue.
In an interview on CNBC, Aron said the company reported "record everything just about," with the keys being record revenue and EBITDA.
Taking a victory lap for the results, Aron said that there has been a lot of experimentation since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hollywood has learned one thing.
"People love to go to movie theaters," Aron said.
Aron said movie studios continue to turn out movies designed for the big screen, which included six different films that opened to $75 million or more domestically in the second quarter.
Discussing the battle of at-home viewing, streaming and movie theaters, Aron declared victory.
"I think we’ve won that fight."
"The Odyssey" Kickstarts Q3 ResultsAfter a record second quarter, expectations could be high for AMC for the third and fourth quarters.
Aron is confident in the company’s lineup of films, which includes the recent opening of "The Odyssey" and the upcoming Spider-Man, Avengers and Dune films.
"The Odyssey" opened with $124 million domestically this past weekend. AMC announced Monday that it had 4.3 million guests in movie theaters globally during the weekend.
Aron said a third of the guests were seeing movies other than "The Odyssey."
AMC has been a popular stock in the past, but often times hurt by its own dilution. A strong second quarter could set the company up for a strong 2026 with the pipeline of blockbuster films looking strong.
AMC Stock Price ActionAMC stock was up 26.8% to $2.46 on Monday versus a 52-week trading range of $0.93 to $3.60. AMC stock is up 50.3% year-to-date in 2026.
Photo Courtesy: rblfmr on Shutterstock.com
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For the quarter ended June 2026, AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) reported revenue of $1.6 billion, up 14.2% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.14, compared to $0 in the year-ago quarter.
The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.51 billion, representing a surprise of +5.79%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +1300%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.01.
While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expectations to determine their next course of action, some key metrics always provide a better insight into a company's underlying performance.
Since these metrics play a crucial role in driving the top- and bottom-line numbers, comparing them with the year-ago numbers and what analysts estimated about them helps investors better project a stock's price performance.
Here is how AMC Entertainment performed in the just reported quarter in terms of the metrics most widely monitored and projected by Wall Street analysts:
Total Attendance - U.S.: 52.53 million compared to the 49.38 million average estimate based on two analysts.Total Attendance - International: 18.76 million versus the two-analyst average estimate of 17.1 million.Total Attendance: 71.29 million compared to the 66.53 million average estimate based on two analysts.Average ticket price - International: $10.45 compared to the $10.61 average estimate based on two analysts.Food & beverage revenue per patron - International: $5.66 versus the two-analyst average estimate of $5.63.Average ticket price - U.S: $12.70 compared to the $13.09 average estimate based on two analysts.Food & beverage revenue per patron - U.S: $8.95 compared to the $8.99 average estimate based on two analysts.Revenues- Food and beverage: $576.1 million versus $537.83 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +15.3% change.Revenues- Other theatre: $157.5 million versus $146.3 million estimated by four analysts on average. Compared to the year-ago quarter, this number represents a +16.1% change.Revenues- Admissions: $863.1 million versus the four-analyst average estimate of $819.5 million. The reported number represents a year-over-year change of +13.2%.View all Key Company Metrics for AMC Entertainment here>>>
Shares of AMC Entertainment have returned -31.5% over the past month versus the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.6% change. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), indicating that it could outperform the broader market in the near term.
Asymmetric warfare. A long absence. Fierce loyalty. Of course, while many associate these themes with Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," it could also aptly apply to the never-ending saga that is AMC and the army of "ape" traders.
AMC options surged out of the gate this morning with over 300,000 contracts traded as of writing, almost five times the 30-day average and a top 20 stock in the entire market by options volume. Flows were very bullish, with almost 100,000 calls bought, compared to 62,000 calls sold and under 10,000 puts bought, following the film record box office.
In addition to "The Odyssey" breaking records, AMC reported earnings today that beat analysts' expectations and showed double-digit revenue growth.
"America's fascinated with The Odyssey this weekend," AMC CEO Adam Aron said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" this morning. AMC theatres received 4.3 million guests globally across the weekend, Aron added.
AMC 5-day chart
Monday's rally adds to an almost four-month-long climb in AMC shares to just under 150%. That said, for bulls who've been in the stock since its heyday as a retail "meme" favorite after Covid, it's far from a coming-home party. Shares are still down 99% from its all-time high above $700 in 2021. Of course, the options market played a key role in the meme stock mania, often leading underlying shares of AMC.
More than $6 million in options premium exchanged hands Monday, with $5.5 million tied to call contracts.
The most popular options contracts by dollar amount were the 2 and 2.5-strike calls expiring Aug. 21, which were on offer for 39- and 20 cents, respectively. The most popular trade by volume was the 3-strike call with the same expiry, which needs a 34% rally to break even.
Traders willing to spend more on premium may want to watch Imax, up 37% the past year with call options showing some life today, but not nearly as busy as AMC trading.
"As a result of Covid there was a lot of experimentation but what Hollywood has learned over the last several years is people love to go to movie theaters," Aron said in the interview. "Studio after studio is turning out movie after movie designed for the big screen."
MarketBeat Week in Review – 05/04 - 05/08AMC Entertainment NYSE: AMC reported what executives described as the strongest quarterly results in the company’s 106-year history, with record revenue, record adjusted EBITDA and sharply improved free cash flow in the second quarter of 2026.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Adam Aron said more than 71 million guests visited AMC and Odeon theaters worldwide during the April-to-June period, up 13.5% from a year earlier. Total revenue increased 14.2% year over year to approximately $1.6 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 70% to $321.4 million, surpassing $300 million in a quarter for the first time, according to the company.
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A Prada Payday: Is AMC Back in Style?“In AMC’s entire 106-year history, there has never been a quarter like this one,” Aron said on the company’s earnings call. He added that both revenue and adjusted EBITDA exceeded Wall Street expectations.
Free cash flow for the quarter was $190.1 million, and AMC ended June with $778 million of cash on hand, excluding restricted cash.
Box Office Strength Boosts Results 3 Dividend Aristocrats Whose Yields Can Help Combat InflationAMC executives pointed to a stronger theatrical slate as a key driver of the quarter. Aron said the domestic industry box office reached $2.99 billion in the second quarter, the highest second quarter in seven years and, based on his review of the data, the fifth-best quarter in the past 50 years.
Six films from Universal, Lionsgate, A24 and Disney each opened domestically to more than $75 million during the period, Aron said. AMC’s domestic ticket revenue rose 11.4%, ahead of the 10.7% increase in the overall domestic box office, while European attendance increased 18% year over year.
Chief Financial Officer Sean Goodman said AMC’s performance was broad-based across its global circuit. In the United States, adjusted EBITDA increased 57.5% to $285.6 million. In Europe, adjusted EBITDA increased 337% to $35.8 million. Goodman noted that international revenue and EBITDA benefited by about 2% from European currency appreciation against the U.S. dollar.
Food and beverage and merchandise sales increased 15.3% globally, while “other revenues” increased 16.1%, Aron said. Goodman added that food and beverage revenue per patron and total revenue per patron reached all-time highs in both the domestic and international businesses.
Margins Improve as Costs Remain Contained AMC’s adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 20.1% in the second quarter from 13.6% a year earlier. Goodman said roughly $200 million of incremental revenue generated $131.9 million of additional adjusted EBITDA, representing about 66% flow-through.
Aron attributed the margin expansion to rising revenue and cost controls across AMC’s theaters and corporate operations. In response to an analyst question, Aron said the company may not repeat the same level of expense containment every quarter, but management intends to remain focused on keeping costs down.
“We’re going to be maniacal in continuing to try to keep our costs down,” Aron said.
Goodman said second-quarter 2026 general and administrative expenses benefited from an approximately $5.5 million credit related to insurance recoveries.
Balance Sheet Actions Reduce Debt and Interest Expense Executives also highlighted progress on AMC’s balance sheet. Aron said the company has $1.7 billion less debt than it had at the end of 2020 and does not expect significant debt maturities before 2029.
Goodman said AMC refinanced $400 million of debt due in 2027, extending the maturity by four years. The company also eliminated approximately $155.8 million of exchangeable debt due in 2030 through conversion into equity.
AMC completed a $150 million at-the-market equity offering, raising more than $85 million of gross proceeds during the second quarter, Goodman said. The company also recently completed a $200 million registered direct equity offering with several institutional investors. Following that transaction, AMC exercised its right to redeem the remaining $125.5 million of 6.8% senior subordinated notes due in 2027, with redemption scheduled for July 24, 2026.
Goodman said the refinancing and repayment actions reduced go-forward annual cash interest expense by approximately $16 million. He added that lower leverage ratios are expected to trigger interest-rate reductions on about 75% of AMC’s debt, lowering annual interest expense by approximately $51 million.
In response to a question about leverage, Goodman said AMC ultimately would like to reach around a three-times leverage level, though he acknowledged the company is not there yet. He said leverage has improved from a double-digit level to less than 6.5 times.
Premium Formats, Loyalty Programs Remain Strategic Focus AMC executives said loyalty programs and premium formats remain central to the company’s strategy. Aron said more than 40 million U.S. households have participated in AMC Stubs, and Stubs members accounted for just over 50% of AMC’s U.S. guest count in the second quarter.
AMC’s A-List subscription program ended the quarter with more than 1.1 million members, more than double its membership five years earlier, Aron said. A-List members accounted for about 20% of AMC’s U.S. patronage in the quarter.
Goodman said AMC closed seven theaters during the quarter and added six new premium large format auditoriums and 25 new XL auditoriums. Since 2020, AMC has closed 225 locations and opened 66, reducing its global theater count by 159 locations, or about 16% of its circuit. Over the same period, the company has added 77 premium large format auditoriums and 193 XL auditoriums.
Aron said AMC and Odeon now operate about 750 premium or enhanced auditoriums globally, including IMAX, Dolby, iSENSE, PRIME, ScreenX, 4DX and XL screens. He said those auditoriums represent about 8% of AMC’s screen count but generated more than 50% of AMC’s ticket gross for “The Odyssey” over the weekend discussed on the call.
AMC expects 2026 net capital expenditures of $200 million to $235 million. Goodman said the company will remain disciplined and that future capital spending will depend on box office expectations and project-level returns.
Management Expresses Optimism for 2026 Slate Looking ahead, Aron cited the opening of Universal Pictures and Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey,” which he said had a media-reported $124 million domestic opening weekend. AMC also said 4.3 million guests attended AMC and Odeon theaters from Thursday to Sunday during that weekend.
Aron said upcoming releases including Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” Warner Bros.’ “Dune: Part Three” and Disney’s “Avengers: Doomsday” support management’s view that 2026 could be the strongest post-pandemic year yet for the domestic and global box office.
Executives said AMC’s annual free cash flow breakeven box office level is currently around $10.4 billion. Aron said the company is “within sight” of being free cash flow positive on a 12-month basis, but is not there yet.
About AMC Entertainment (NYSE:AMC)AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc operates as a leading movie exhibition company, specializing in the presentation of theatrical motion pictures across a network of multiplex cinemas. The company's core business activities encompass ticket sales, concession and refreshment services, and the licensing of premium viewing formats. AMC offers a variety of auditorium experiences, including IMAX®, Dolby Cinema™, and Cinemark's RealD 3D systems, designed to enhance audience engagement through superior sound, visual clarity, and seating comfort.
Originally founded in 1920 with its first theatre in Kansas City, AMC has evolved into one of the largest theater chains in the world.
This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to [email protected].
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AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:AMC) shares rose 11% after the movie theater chain reported second-quarter results that exceeded Wall Street expectations, driven by a strong slate of summer blockbuster releases.
The company reported adjusted earnings per share of $0.14 for the quarter ended June 30, compared with analysts' expectations for a loss of $0.02 per share.
Revenue increased 14.2% year over year to a record $1.60 billion, above the consensus estimate of $1.47 billion.
AMC said the quarter marked the highest quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA in its 106-year history. Adjusted EBITDA rose 69.6% from a year earlier to $321.4 million, while adjusted net earnings were $104.3 million, compared with an adjusted net loss of $0.5 million in the prior-year period.
The company reported a net loss of $11.4 million, compared with a net loss of $4.7 million a year earlier. Cash and cash equivalents increased to $778.4 million at the end of the quarter from $423.7 million a year earlier.
AMC attributed the strong performance to robust box office demand, noting that six films generated domestic opening weekend box office receipts exceeding $75 million during the second quarter.
The company also pointed to growth across its US and European operations, with domestic revenue rising 13% and European attendance increasing 17.9% year over year.
AMC CEO Adam Aron said that the results demonstrated the operating leverage of AMC's business model as revenue increased, highlighting record quarterly revenue and adjusted EBITDA alongside $190.1 million in free cash flow.
"The second quarter of 2026 was nothing short of extraordinary for AMC. In our 106-year history, never before has AMC had such superb results,” he said.
Looking ahead, Aron pointed to a strong theatrical release schedule, citing the opening weekend performance of The Odyssey and upcoming releases including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday. He wrote that AMC believes 2026 will be the strongest post-pandemic year for the domestic and global box office.
The company also highlighted progress in strengthening its balance sheet during the quarter, including refinancing $400 million of debt, raising approximately $285 million through equity offerings and reducing principal debt by about $282 million. AMC said it has no currently expected debt maturities until 2029 and expects lower interest costs following recent refinancing and leverage improvements.
The world’s biggest theater chain AMC Entertainment saw its shares surge as it posted the highest quarterly revenue in its 106-year history for the three months ended in June and just cleaned up this weekend with the massive opening of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
Revenue rose 14% from 2025 second quarter to near $1.6 billion and AMC ‘s adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) surged 70% to a record $321 million. Net cash from operations rose to $235 million from $138 million. The health of the quarter was also due in large part to the chain keeping costs in check.
“While there’s still more work to do here, this was a source of hope,” wrote analyst Drew Crumb of B. Riley Securities of the latest numbers.
The exhibitor generated $190 million in free cash flow and ended the quarter with $778 million of cash and cash equivalents.
A net loss of $11.4 million compared with $4.7. million.
U.S and Europe both showed great progress, said CEO Adam Aron, noting that the company, “has often been underestimated.”
That’s due to severe financial straits during Covid followed by a dual strike by writers and actors which hit the entire exhibition industry but was magnified in AMC’s case by its large debt load. Many in the industry and on Wall Street betting for years that a Chapter 11 filing was just around the corner.
Aron noted that during the second quarter, AMC refinanced $400 million of debt, extending maturity by four years; raised about $285 million through equity offerings; and started paring down some $282 million of debt. By the end of July, he said actions to strengthen the balance sheet since the end of 2020 will have reduced principal debt balances by circa $1.7 billion, with no currently expected debt maturities until 2029.
The box office has also cooperated as it started to regain its footing this year. This past weekend saw Universal epic The Odyssey opening to $264 million globally. Some 4.3 million people turned out to AMC and Odeon theaters Thursday to Sunday, Aron said on a call after the numbers.
Total attendance rose 13.5% in the quarter from the year earlier (up 12% domestic, 18% international. Average screen count of 9,249 was down slightly from 9,402.
Shares surged more than 20% early Monday after the earnings report. The one-time meme stock has struggled, bouncing from under a buck at its low to over $3 for its high in the last 52-weeks.
Food, beverage and merchandise sales rose 15% globally.
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Stock Market Week Ahead: Navigating Uncertainty
These 7 Stocks Are Analyst Favorites For Magnificent Earnings Growth; Google Holds Top Rating
ASML, Snowflake Lead Five Stocks Near Buy Points In Tough Market Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey," the first-ever theatrical release shot in IMAX's (IMAX) largest and highest-resolution film format, delivered a record-breaking $52 million first-weekend haul for the immersive IMAX theaters alone. The blockbuster opening helped fuel IMAX stock and AMC Entertainment (AMC) as the latter reported stronger-than-expected second-quarter results. "The Odyssey," produced by Comcast's (CMCSA) Universal Pictures, grossed $264 million globally,…
AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.14 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.01 per share. This compares to break-even earnings per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.
This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of +1,300.00%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this movie theater operator would post a loss of $0.32 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.36, delivering a surprise of -12.5%.
Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times.
AMC Entertainment, which belongs to the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, posted revenues of $1.6 billion for the quarter ended June 2026, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 5.79%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $1.4 billion. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates four times over the last four quarters.
The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call.
AMC Entertainment shares have added about 24.4% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.9%.
What's Next for AMC Entertainment?While AMC Entertainment has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock?
There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately.
Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions.
Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for AMC Entertainment was favorable. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to outperform the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and the current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is breakeven on $1.46 billion in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.22 on $5.4 billion in revenues for the current fiscal year.
Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Leisure and Recreation Services is currently in the top 39% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
One other stock from the same industry, Marcus (MCS - Free Report) , is yet to report results for the quarter ended June 2026. The results are expected to be released on July 30.
This operator of movie theaters, hotels and resorts is expected to post quarterly earnings of $0.35 per share in its upcoming report, which represents a year-over-year change of +52.2%. The consensus EPS estimate for the quarter has been revised 1.9% lower over the last 30 days to the current level.
Marcus' revenues are expected to be $220.91 million, up 7.2% from the year-ago quarter.
Theater chain AMC Entertainment posted a surprise second-quarter adjusted profit and record revenue that beat Wall Street expectations, as blockbuster titles like "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" and "Obsession" boosted ticket sales.
LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AMC--AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”) today reported results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, which have been posted to the Investor Relations section of AMC's website at https://investor.amctheatres.com/.The Company will host a live webcast for investors and other interested parties on July 20, 2026, at 7:30 AM CDT/8:30 AM EDT. The live webcast can be accessed through the Investor Relations section of AMC's website at ht.
LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC), the largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States and the world, today announced that more than 4.3 million moviegoers attended AMC Theatres in the United States and ODEON Cinemas internationally from Thursday through Sunday, led by the opening of Christopher Nolan's THE ODYSSEY. Moviegoers turned out across AMC's circuit throughout opening weekend, with particularly strong attendance in IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema.
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AMC) will release its second quarter earnings report before the opening bell on Monday, July 20.
Analysts expect the Leawood, Kansas-based company to report a quarterly loss of 6 cents per share. The consensus estimate for AMC Entertainment’s quarterly revenue is $1.46 billion. It reported $1.4 billion last year, according to Benzinga Pro.
On June 25, AMC Entertainment announced closing of $200 million registered direct offering of common stock.
Shares of AMC Entertainment rose 0.2% to close at $2.07 on Thursday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the Analyst Stock Ratings page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let’s have a look at how Benzinga’s most-accurate analysts have rated the company in the recent period.
Considering buying AMC stock? Here’s what analysts think:
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Key Takeaways AMC refinanced $400M of 12.75% debt with a $425M loan at 10.5%, extending maturity to 2031.AMC's $155.8 million note conversion lowers long-term debt to about $3.9 billion and removes covenants.AMC ended the first quarter of 2026 with $339 million in cash, excluding $42 million of restricted cash. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC - Free Report) is advancing its balance-sheet restructuring through a combination of refinancing, debt conversion and liquidity enhancement. The company refinanced $400 million of debt carrying a 12.75% interest rate and maturing in 2027 with a new $425 million first-lien term loan carrying a 10.5% rate and maturing in 2031. The transaction extends the maturity by four years while lowering annual cash interest expense.
The refinancing materially reduces AMC’s near-term maturity burden. Following the transaction, the company’s only remaining debt maturity before 2029 is $125.5 million of 6.25% unsecured notes due in 2027. This longer maturity runway gives AMC greater flexibility to evaluate future refinancing opportunities based on market conditions rather than near-term funding requirements.
AMC is also converting approximately $155.8 million of senior secured exchangeable notes due in 2030 into equity. The company emphasized that the conversion lowers long-term debt to roughly $3.9 billion, compared with more than $5 billion before the pandemic. The removal of the exchangeable notes also eliminates associated covenants, providing additional flexibility to address the remaining debt structure.
Liquidity remains an important component of the broader balance-sheet strategy. AMC ended the first quarter of 2026 with $339 million in cash, excluding $42 million of restricted cash. The company also raised approximately $101 million through its at-the-market equity program and the sale of Hycroft Mining shares, supporting liquidity while preserving investment capacity for its core theater operations.
Looking ahead, AMC’s refinancing strategy remains closely connected to its operating execution. The interest rate on roughly $2.9 billion of debt declines as leverage improves, creating a direct link between EBITDA growth and lower borrowing costs. With near-term maturities largely contained, continued execution across pricing, premium-format expansion, loyalty programs, food-and-beverage initiatives and theater-portfolio optimization could support EBITDA growth, lower leverage, improve future refinancing terms and strengthen financial flexibility.
AMC’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of AMC have declined 38.4% in the past year compared with the industry’s 8.8% fall. In the same time frame, other industry players like Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (CNK - Free Report) have inched up 0.1%, while The Marcus Corporation (MCS - Free Report) has gained 30.2%.
AMC’s One-Year Price Performance
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From a valuation standpoint, AMC trades at a forward price-to-sales (P/S) multiple of 0.32, below the industry’s average of 2.65. Cinemark and Marcus have P/S ratios of 0.97 and 0.82, respectively.
AMC’s P/S Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMC’s 2026 loss per share has narrowed from 31 cents to 23 cents over the past 60 days.
EPS Trend of AMC Stock
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The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMC’s 2026 loss per share suggests a 76% year-over-year improvement. Conversely, industry players like Cinemark and Marcus are likely to witness growth of 108.7% and 188.2%, respectively, year over year in 2026 earnings.
AMC’s Zacks RankAMC stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AMC shares are advancing steadily. Why are AMC shares climbing? Earnings Preview & HistoryAMC Entertainment is expected to report a loss of 5 cents per share along with revenue of $1.45 billion.
In the most recent quarter, AMC reported a loss of 36 cents per share, missing estimates of 33 cent-loss by 0.09%. Meanwhile, Revenue came in at $1.04 billion, exceeding the estimate of $974.61 million by 0.07.
Investors will likely key in on whether stronger box-office demand is improving the quality of earnings, not just the headline revenue number.
That means watching attendance and admissions revenue per patron for signs that higher traffic is paired with pricing power and premium-format mix — a signal for whether the jump to an expected $1.45 billion in revenue is margin-accretive.
Food and beverage revenue and per-capita spending will also be closely watched, since concessions are typically a major profit driver for theaters, making stronger per-cap trends a tell that demand is translating into operating leverage.
Given how central balance-sheet concerns have been to the recent debate around the stock, any commentary on interest expense, liquidity, cash levels, or debt refinancing terms could move shares more than a modest EPS beat or miss.
Analyst Consensus & Recent ActionsThe stock carries a Hold rating with an average price target of $1.80 (range: $1.20 to $2.50) across 6 analysts. Recent analyst moves include:
Macquarie: Neutral (Raises Target to $2.00) (July 8) Citigroup: Sell (Raises Target to $1.20) (May 7) Benchmark: Upgraded to Buy (Target $2.50) (May 6) Above the Trend Lines, Below the Breakout PointAMC is trading at $2.02, which keeps it above its key longer-term trend gauges: it’s 10.1% above the 50-day SMA ($1.83), 30.2% above the 100-day SMA ($1.55), and 10.3% above the 200-day SMA ($1.83). The one near-term friction point is the 20-day SMA at $2.09, with the stock still trading 3.6% below that level—often a sign the tape is trying to transition from "bounce" to "trend."
The moving-average structure is still a tailwind: the 20-day SMA is above the 50-day SMA, and the golden cross in July (50-day SMA moving above the 200-day SMA) keeps the intermediate trend biased upward as long as price holds those longer averages. That said, the stock’s 12-month performance remains down 37.18%, so rallies can still run into overhead supply from prior breakdown zones.
Momentum is best read through RSI, which sits at 50.07—basically neutral—suggesting the stock isn’t stretched and could move either way as catalysts approach. RSI is a momentum gauge that helps show whether buying or selling pressure is getting "overdone," and right now it’s signaling balance rather than exhaustion.
Key Resistance: $2.00 — a round-number pivot that’s also sitting near the current price, making it a key "line in the sand" for follow-through AMC Shares Trend HigherAMC Price Action: At the time of publication, AMC shares are trading 3.47% higher at $2.03, according to data from Benzinga Pro.
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LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AMC--AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”), the largest theatrical exhibition company in the world, announced today that it will report its results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, on Monday, July 20, 2026.The Company will host an earnings webcast, pre-market, accessible through the Investor Relations section of AMC's website at investor.amctheatres.com/. During the webcast the company will take questions from both equity rese.
AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) closed the most recent trading day at $1.87, moving -1.06% from the previous trading session. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.79%. Elsewhere, the Dow lost 0.26%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq lost 1.55%.
Coming into today, shares of the movie theater operator had lost 19.23% in the past month. In that same time, the Consumer Discretionary sector gained 0.62%, while the S&P 500 gained 4.28%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of AMC Entertainment in its upcoming earnings disclosure. Alongside, our most recent consensus estimate is anticipating revenue of $1.45 billion, indicating a 3.73% upward movement from the same quarter last year.
Looking at the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of -$0.23 per share and revenue of $5.39 billion. These totals would mark changes of +76.04% and +11.1%, respectively, from last year.
It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for AMC Entertainment. Such recent modifications usually signify the changing landscape of near-term business trends. As a result, upbeat changes in estimates indicate analysts' favorable outlook on the business health and profitability.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
Ranging from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), the Zacks Rank system has a proven, outside-audited track record of outperformance, with #1 stocks returning an average of +25% annually since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection has moved 9.88% higher. As of now, AMC Entertainment holds a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
The Leisure and Recreation Services industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. Currently, this industry holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 104, positioning it in the top 43% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Remember to apply Zacks.com to follow these and more stock-moving metrics during the upcoming trading sessions.
AMC Entertainment shares are advancing steadily. Why are AMC shares climbing? What Is Driving AMC Stock Higher Today?Macquarie kept a Neutral rating but raised its AMC price target to $2.00 from $1.50, while lifting its 2026 adjusted EBITDA estimate to $629 million from $600 million and narrowing its projected 2026 adjusted loss to 24 cents per share from 28 cents. The firm pointed to stronger-than-expected theater demand after second-quarter U.S. box office admissions revenue hit $2.97 billion, up 11% year-over-year.
AMC’s setup is also getting a tailwind from Macquarie’s higher 2026 industry box office forecast of $9.8 billion, up 13% year-over-year, though the firm flagged rising costs and a slower recovery as key risks. In other words, the stock is catching a sentiment bid, but the fundamental debate hasn’t fully flipped to clear sailing.
AMC Stock: Critical Levels To WatchFrom a longer-term trend perspective, AMC is still working through overhead supply: it’s trading 10.1% below its 20-day SMA ($2.14), even as it holds above the 50-day SMA ($1.82) and 200-day SMA ($1.84). That mix lines up with a stock trying to stabilize after weakness, but not yet proving it can sustain a higher-high sequence.
RSI is the cleaner momentum read right now at 48.28, which is neutral and suggests the tape is more "reset and bounce" than a stretched breakout. RSI measures how extended recent buying or selling has been, and a mid-range reading often matches choppy, level-to-level trading rather than a one-way trend.
The moving-average structure stays mixed: the 20-day SMA is above the 50-day SMA (a short-term bullish crossover), but the 50-day SMA remains below the 200-day SMA (a longer-term bearish backdrop). Zooming out, the stock is down 36% over the past 12 months, with key turning points including an oversold RSI dip in March, a swing low in May, and a swing high in June.
Key Resistance: $2.00 — a nearby round-number level where rebounds can stall, especially with the 20-day EMA sitting close by at $1.97 AMC Stock Price Movement on FridayAMC Stock Price Activity: AMC Entertainment shares were up 0.53% at $1.91 at the time of publication on Friday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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AMC Entertainment Hldgs stock is facing resistance. Why are AMC shares declining? What Is Driving AMC Stock Higher?Macquarie kept a Neutral rating but raised its AMC price target to $2.00 from $1.50, pointing to stronger-than-expected movie theater demand and a better box office setup. The firm also lifted its 2026 adjusted EBITDA view to $629 million from $600 million and narrowed its projected 2026 adjusted loss to 24 cents per share from a prior loss estimate of 28 cents.
AMC Stock: Critical Levels To WatchAMC is still trying to work through near-term overhead supply: the stock is trading 12.4% below its 20-day SMA ($2.15), even as it holds above the 50-day SMA ($1.81) and the 200-day SMA ($1.85). That mix fits a "bounce inside a bigger range" profile, especially with the 50-day SMA still below the 200-day SMA (a bearish longer-term backdrop) despite the 20-day SMA sitting above the 50-day SMA (a bullish shorter-term crossover).
RSI is the cleaner momentum lens right now at 47.99, which is neutral and suggests neither buyers nor sellers have clear control. In plain terms, RSI helps gauge whether recent trading has gotten stretched; a mid-range reading often lines up with choppy, level-to-level action rather than a runaway trend.
Key Resistance: $2.00 — a round-number area just above current price where rebounds can stall, with the 20-day EMA near $1.99 adding to the "ceiling" effect AMC Stock Price Activity TodayAMC Stock Price Activity: AMC Entertainment shares were down 1.05% at $1.89 during premarket trading on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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AMC Entertainment shares are climbing with conviction. Why is AMC stock up today? Macquarie Raises AMC Price TargetMacquarie maintained a Neutral rating on AMC, but lifted its price target from $1.50 to $2, implying upside from recent trading levels. The firm also raised its 2026 AMC adjusted EBITDA estimate to $629 million from $600 million and improved its projected full-year adjusted loss to 24 cents per share from a prior loss estimate of 28 cents.
Box Office Recovery Supports AMCThat matters for AMC because higher attendance directly supports ticket sales, concessions and operating leverage across its theater network. Macquarie also raised its 2026 industry box office forecast to $9.8 billion, up 13% year-over-year.
Still, the firm remains cautious. Macquarie cited rising costs and a slower box office recovery as downside risks, while noting faster box office improvement could support upside for AMC shares.
AMC Stock: Key Technical Levels To WatchAMC is trading at $1.94, sitting 6.9% above its 50-day SMA ($1.81) and 4.4% above its 200-day SMA ($1.85), which supports the idea that buyers are defending the intermediate trend. At the same time, it’s trading 9.9% below its 20-day SMA ($2.15), so the stock is still working through near-term overhead supply from the last few weeks.
RSI is the cleaner momentum read right now: at 48.82, it’s neutral, suggesting the rally is more "reset and bounce" than a stretched, overbought breakout. For context, RSI measures how extended the recent buying or selling has been, and a mid-range reading often lines up with choppy, level-to-level trading.
The moving-average structure is mixed: the 20-day SMA is above the 50-day SMA (a bullish short-term crossover), but the 50-day SMA remains below the 200-day SMA (a bearish longer-term backdrop). On the longer view, the stock is still down 33.10% over the past 12 months, with key turning points including an oversold RSI dip in March, a swing low in May, and a swing high in June.
Key Resistance: $2.00 — a round-number area just above current price where rebounds can stall, especially with the 20-day EMA near $1.99 AMC Shares Surge Wednesday AfternoonAMC Price Action: AMC Entertainment shares were up 10.47% at $1.90 at the time of publication on Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC 1.15%), a theatrical motion picture exhibition and cinema operations provider, closed at $1.72, down 1.15%. AMC stock pushed upward in June on strong summer attendance, but has struggled since the firm’s equity offer.
Trading volume reached 52.6 million shares, coming in about 35% above its three-month average of 39.0 million shares. AMC Entertainment Holdings IPO'd in 2013 and has fallen 99% since going public.
How the markets moved todayS&P 500 (^GSPC 0.45%) closed at 7,504, down 0.45%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 1.16%) closed at 25,819, down 1.16%. Among movie theater rivals, Cinemark Holdings closed at $29.42, down 1.77%, and Marcus closed at $21.94, down 1.83%.
What this means for investorsAMC Entertainment extended its losses today and has now fallen over 15% in the past week. June saw strong box-office momentum, beating last year’s figures. Numerous new releases attracted moviegoers and helped drive the stock to its highest point so far this year.
However, its $200 million equity sale, priced on June 23, halted momentum and has weighed on its price in the past two weeks. The firm will use the proceeds to reduce debt, which could put it on a stronger footing long term, but investors are concerned about dilution.
As customers return to movie theatres for a slew of summer hits, investors will be watching AMC’s August earnings for more on whether the summer’s renewed movie interest will hold and how much AMC’s alternative revenue streams, such as its Arena One real-time in-theater concerts, can help the stock regain momentum.
Emma Newbery has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should always be looking to find the best-performing companies in the group. AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) is a stock that can certainly grab the attention of many investors, but do its recent returns compare favorably to the sector as a whole? A quick glance at the company's year-to-date performance in comparison to the rest of the Consumer Discretionary sector should help us answer this question.
AMC Entertainment is a member of our Consumer Discretionary group, which includes 260 different companies and currently sits at #7 in the Zacks Sector Rank. The Zacks Sector Rank includes 16 different groups and is listed in order from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors.
The Zacks Rank emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find stocks with improving earnings outlooks. This system has a long record of success, and these stocks tend to be on track to beat the market over the next one to three months. AMC Entertainment is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy).
Within the past quarter, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for AMC's full-year earnings has moved 13.6% higher. This signals that analyst sentiment is improving and the stock's earnings outlook is more positive.
Based on the most recent data, AMC has returned 11.5% so far this year. Meanwhile, stocks in the Consumer Discretionary group have lost about 9% on average. This means that AMC Entertainment is outperforming the sector as a whole this year.
One other Consumer Discretionary stock that has outperformed the sector so far this year is Bassett Furniture (BSET - Free Report) . The stock is up 17.5% year-to-date.
Over the past three months, Bassett Furniture's consensus EPS estimate for the current year has increased 1.8%. The stock currently has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Looking more specifically, AMC Entertainment belongs to the Leisure and Recreation Services industry, a group that includes 28 individual stocks and currently sits at #197 in the Zacks Industry Rank. This group has lost an average of 6.3% so far this year, so AMC is performing better in this area.
In contrast, Bassett Furniture falls under the Furniture industry. Currently, this industry has 7 stocks and is ranked #28. Since the beginning of the year, the industry has moved +6.1%.
Going forward, investors interested in Consumer Discretionary stocks should continue to pay close attention to AMC Entertainment and Bassett Furniture as they could maintain their solid performance.
Key Takeaways AMC will launch Arena One in June 2026, bringing live concerts to more than 300 U.S. theaters.AMC's Q1 revenues rose 21.2% y/y to $1.05B as attendance increased 13.6%.AMC aims to diversify revenues, boost theater use and create incremental traffic with Arena One. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (AMC - Free Report) is expanding beyond traditional movie exhibition with the launch of Arena One at AMC, a new platform that will bring live concerts into its theaters nationwide. While the ongoing recovery in the box office remains the company's primary growth engine, Arena One reflects management's broader strategy of maximizing the earning potential of its theater network by introducing alternative content. The initiative raises an important question for investors: whether live concert programming can become a meaningful contributor to AMC's long-term growth.
Management announced that Arena One at AMC will launch in June 2026 across more than 300 theaters in the United States, allowing fans to experience live concerts on the big screen simultaneously across the country. According to the company, the initiative opens AMC's theaters "not only to moviegoers but also to fans of live concerts," representing another step in broadening the company's entertainment offerings.
The launch also comes at a favorable time for the exhibition industry. AMC reported that the North American box office increased 22% year over year during the first quarter of 2026, with management expressing confidence that the 2026 film slate will produce the strongest post-pandemic box office performance. The company also highlighted renewed commitments from major studios to maintain exclusive theatrical windows of at least 45 days, supporting a healthier exhibition environment. Rather than replacing movies, Arena One complements this improving backdrop by providing another reason for consumers to visit theaters.
AMC's improving financial performance further supports its ability to pursue new initiatives. During the first quarter of 2026, revenues increased 21.2% year over year to $1.05 billion, attendance rose 13.6%, and adjusted EBITDA improved by $96 million to $38.3 million, marking the company's strongest first-quarter adjusted EBITDA since before the pandemic. At the same time, management continued strengthening the balance sheet through debt refinancing, debt-to-equity conversions and equity issuance, improving financial flexibility as it invests in strategic growth opportunities.
Nevertheless, Arena One represents a logical extension of AMC's broader strategy to transform its theaters into multi-purpose entertainment destinations rather than venues dedicated solely to movies. By leveraging its nationwide premium-screen network to host live concerts, the company is seeking to diversify revenue streams, improve theater utilization and create incremental customer traffic. While movies will remain the foundation of the business, the successful execution of Arena One could provide an additional growth avenue that strengthens AMC's earnings potential over the long term.
Exhibitors Look Beyond Movies to Drive Higher Theatre UtilizationAMC's Arena One initiative reflects a broader industry focus on maximizing theater traffic and enhancing the overall guest experience. Other exhibitors, including The Marcus Corporation (MCS - Free Report) and Reading International, Inc. (RDI - Free Report) , are also investing in initiatives that encourage more frequent visits and improve spending per guest, even though their strategies remain centered on the traditional theatrical experience.
Marcus continues to focus on strengthening theater economics through digital enhancements and premium guest experiences. During the first quarter of 2026, MCS completed the rollout of tap-to-pay terminals across its theaters, expanded in-seat QR code food ordering at all dine-in locations and is developing a redesigned digital food-and-beverage ordering platform to increase basket sizes and improve customer convenience. Management also highlighted ongoing investments in premium large-format screens, strategic ticket pricing and merchandise sales to drive higher per-capita spending while benefiting from a stronger film slate.
Reading International is pursuing a complementary strategy by enhancing the in-theater experience and optimizing its cinema portfolio. Management emphasized premium cinema offerings, luxury seating upgrades and operational initiatives aimed at improving attendance and profitability while capitalizing on a stronger release schedule. RDI also expects an improving film slate to support higher theater utilization and operating performance over the next several quarters.
AMC’s Price Performance, Valuation & EstimatesShares of AMC have gained 29.8% in the past three months, outperforming the Zacks Leisure and Recreation Services industry, the broader Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500 Index.
AMC Stock’s Three-Month Price Performance
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From a valuation standpoint, AMC stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio of 0.28, below the industry’s average of 2.72.
AMC’s P/s Ratio (Forward 12-Month) vs. Industry
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AMC’s bottom-line estimates for 2026 and 2027 reflect a loss per share of 23 cents and 11 cents, respectively, which have narrowed over the past 30 days. However, the revised estimates for 2026 and 2027 indicate year-over-year growth of 76% and 51.1%, respectively.
EPS Trend of AMC Stock
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AMC currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC 7.94%), a theatrical motion picture exhibition and cinema operations company, closed at $1.74, down 7.93%. Investors are monitoring the upcoming earnings webcast and summer box office performance closely.
How the markets moved todayS&P 500 (^GSPC +0.72%) closed at 7,537.43, up 0.72%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC +1.12%) finished at 26,121, up 1.12%. Among movie theater exhibition and cinema operations peers, Cinemark Holdings (CNK 5.01%) closed at $29.95, down 5.01%, and IMAX (IMAX 6.39%) closed at $37.33, down 6.39%, showing weak trading across the group.
What this means for investorsAMC’s decline came as selected theater stocks traded lower, with investors weighing the company’s recent capital raises against improving box-office trends. The $150 million at-the-market offering and $200 million registered direct offering added liquidity and supported debt-reduction efforts, but the new share issuance keeps dilution central to the stock’s near-term debate.
The summer box office is helping balance out AMC’s challenges. The company just had its busiest U.S. weekend of 2026, thanks to Toy Story 5 and other new releases. Higher attendance and more food and drink sales show how quickly AMC can benefit from a healthier release slate. The next quarterly report will reveal whether this increased traffic is leading to better profits and sufficient financial improvement to ease pressure on its financing.
Eric Trie has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
In the latest trading session, AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) closed at $1.74, marking a -7.94% move from the previous day. The stock's performance was behind the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.72%. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.3%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 1.12%.
Shares of the movie theater operator have appreciated by 5.59% over the course of the past month, outperforming the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 2.31%, and the S&P 500's loss of 0.9%.
Analysts and investors alike will be keeping a close eye on the performance of AMC Entertainment in its upcoming earnings disclosure. Meanwhile, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for revenue is projecting net sales of $1.45 billion, up 3.73% from the year-ago period.
For the full year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates are projecting earnings of -$0.23 per share and revenue of $5.39 billion, which would represent changes of +76.04% and +11.1%, respectively, from the prior year.
Additionally, investors should keep an eye on any recent revisions to analyst forecasts for AMC Entertainment. These revisions help to show the ever-changing nature of near-term business trends. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the business and profitability.
Based on our research, we believe these estimate revisions are directly related to near-term stock moves. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system.
The Zacks Rank system, which varies between #1 (Strong Buy) and #5 (Strong Sell), carries an impressive track record of exceeding expectations, confirmed by external audits, with stocks at #1 delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Over the past month, there's been a 9.88% rise in the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate. AMC Entertainment currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Leisure and Recreation Services industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. At present, this industry carries a Zacks Industry Rank of 207, placing it within the bottom 16% of over 250 industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank is ordered from best to worst in terms of the average Zacks Rank of the individual companies within each of these sectors. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Ensure to harness Zacks.com to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions.
AMC Entertainment (AMC - Free Report) closed at $2.03 in the latest trading session, marking a -6.02% move from the prior day. This change lagged the S&P 500's 1.18% gain on the day. Elsewhere, the Dow saw an upswing of 0.59%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq appreciated by 2.07%.
The stock of movie theater operator has risen by 24.85% in the past month, leading the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 1.1% and the S&P 500's loss of 2.9%.
The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of AMC Entertainment in its upcoming release. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $1.45 billion, up 3.73% from the year-ago period.
AMC's full-year Zacks Consensus Estimates are calling for earnings of -$0.23 per share and revenue of $5.39 billion. These results would represent year-over-year changes of +76.04% and +11.1%, respectively.
Investors should also note any recent changes to analyst estimates for AMC Entertainment. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. Consequently, upward revisions in estimates express analysts' positivity towards the business operations and its ability to generate profits.
Research indicates that these estimate revisions are directly correlated with near-term share price momentum. To exploit this, we've formed the Zacks Rank, a quantitative model that includes these estimate changes and presents a viable rating system.
The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate has moved 9.88% higher within the past month. As of now, AMC Entertainment holds a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).
The Leisure and Recreation Services industry is part of the Consumer Discretionary sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 183, which puts it in the bottom 25% of all 250+ industries.
The Zacks Industry Rank assesses the vigor of our specific industry groups by computing the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks incorporated in the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.
Be sure to follow all of these stock-moving metrics, and many more, on Zacks.com.
Each week, Benzinga’s Stock Whisper Index uses a combination of proprietary data and pattern recognition to showcase five stocks that are just under the surface and deserve attention.
Investors are constantly on the hunt for undervalued, under-followed and emerging stocks. With countless methods available to retail traders, the challenge often lies in sifting through the abundance of information to uncover new opportunities and understand why certain stocks should be of interest.
Here’s a look at the Benzinga Stock Whisper Index for the week ending June 26:
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• AMC Entertainment shares are retreating from recent levels. What’s weighing on AMC shares?
Debt Redemption PlansAccording to the company’s press release, AMC intends to use the net proceeds primarily to call and redeem all $125,471,000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.125% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2027. Following this redemption, the company does not anticipate any material debt principal repayments until calendar year 2029.
CEO Commentary On CapitalBox Office MomentumAMC Stock: Key Technical Levels To WatchFrom a longer-term trend view, AMC is still trying to stabilize after a weak 12-month run (down about 40%), and Thursday’s pullback keeps it stuck in a choppy zone rather than a clean uptrend. The stock is trading 15.4% below its 20-day SMA ($2.12) and 5% below its 200-day SMA ($1.89), which suggests rallies have recently been sold and longer-term overhead supply remains active.
At the same time, AMC is trading 1.1% above its 50-day SMA ($1.78) and 21.2% above its 100-day SMA ($1.48), so the intermediate base isn’t broken yet. The crossover picture is mixed: the 20-day SMA is above the 50-day SMA (near-term bullish), but the 50-day SMA is still below the 200-day SMA (a bearish longer-term backdrop).
AMC Stock Price Activity: AMC Entertainment shares were down 11.28% at $1.77 at the time of publication on Thursday, according to Benzinga Pro data.
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This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)---- $AMC--AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: AMC) (“AMC” or “the Company”), announced today that it closed its previously announced registered direct offering of an aggregate of 95,250,000 shares of AMC common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $200 million (the “Offering”), before deducting agent fees and offering expenses. AMC intends to use the proceeds from the Offering primarily to immediately call and soon thereafter redeem all of its $125,471,000 aggrega.
NEW YORK, June 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AMC Robotics Corporation (Nasdaq: AMCI) (“AMC Robotics” or the “Company”), an AI-driven robotics solutions provider, today announced it has signed a lease agreement for a 6,150-square-meter manufacturing facility in Bắc Ninh, Vietnam, which has been identified as a long-term hub for production and operations in Southeast Asia. The facility will be operated by AMCV Company Limited, AMC Robotics' wholly owned Vietnamese subsidiary, and represents a significant step forward in the Company's strategy to build scalable robotics manufacturing capabilities.
The Company’s Phase 1 operations will focus on production of the Company's NovaArm™ robotic arm, designed for high-load, high-precision warehouse sorting and industrial automation applications. The Company expects to complete the Vietnamese facility’s buildout and production line commissioning with initial production targeted to commence in the second half of 2026.
AMC Robotics expects to invest approximately US$3.5 million in the build-out and equipping of the Vietnam facility through Phase 1. The facility is being configured around standardized production lines for precision assembly, complemented by whole-machine calibration and automated end-of-line testing—an approach intended to deliver consistent product quality, improve manufacturing yield, and enable cost-efficient, scalable volume production.
AMC Robotics plans to leverage the Vietnam facility's manufacturing and testing infrastructure as a foundation for future expansion, including production of the Kyro™ quadruped robotic dog. The facility supports the Company’s long-term strategy to integrate its robotics hardware and AI software into a unified production and deployment platform.
By localizing manufacturing in a competitive-cost region and standardizing its production and testing processes, AMC Robotics intends to establish a cost structure that supports improved unit economics as production volumes increase.
"Securing this facility marks an important step as we transition from product development to manufacturing execution," said Sean Da, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMC Robotics. "We believe the Vietnam operation provides the infrastructure needed to support the launch of NovaArm™ and establishes a scalable foundation for future products, including Kyro™. As we continue advancing our commercialization strategy, this facility is expected to position us to scale efficiently while supporting long-term growth opportunities.”
About AMC Robotics Corporation
AMC Robotics (Nasdaq: AMCI) is an AI-driven robotics company focused on developing intelligent, scalable hardware and software solutions. The Company's quadruped robotic platform, Kyro™, enables industries to automate inspection, security, and operational tasks through autonomous mobility and AI-powered perception.
This press release may contain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company's possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, debt levels, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities, and the effects of regulation. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations, projections, and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. When used in this communication, the words "estimates," "projected," "expects," "anticipates," "forecasts," "plans," "intends," "believes," "seeks," "may," "will," "should," "future," "propose," and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors include, but are not limited to: (a) challenges in opening operations in new jurisdictions, including but not limited to compliance with local ordinances, obtaining any necessary permits and regulatory oversight; (b) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the new operations; (c) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company; (d) the ability to continue to meet the applicable stock exchange listing standards; (e) the effect of the Company's completed business combination with AlphaVest Acquisition Corp ("AlphaVest") on the Company's business relationships, performance, and business generally and the risk that such transaction further disrupts current plans and operations of the Company or its subsidiaries; (f) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the transaction with AlphaVest, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (g) changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations); (h) the possibility that AMC Robotics may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (i) AMC Robotics' estimates of expenses and profitability; and (j) other risks and uncertainties indicated under "Risk Factors" contained in AMC Robotics’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and other documents filed or to be filed with the SEC by AMC Robotics. Copies are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.
The Company assumes no obligation and, except as required by law, does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. The Company gives no assurance that it will achieve its expectations.
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
AMC Entertainment's stock price has staged a strong bull run this month, reaching its highest point since November last year.
It has jumped by 165% from its lowest point this year, and is about to form a golden cross pattern, which may hint at stronger gains ahead.
Technicals suggest that the AMC share price has more room to run, especially if the golden cross pattern forms.
The daily chart shows that the spread between the 50-day and 200-day Exponential Moving Averages (EMA) has narrowed substantially, and the crossover may happen as the momentum continues.
The 50-day EMA stands at $1.70, while the 200-day is at $1.96.
Other technical indicators point to more gains this year. For example, the Average Directional Index (ADX) has jumped to 41, its highest point since May 1 this year. It has also jumped above the key resistance level of $1.93, its highest point on April 17.
Therefore, the most likely AMC stock forecast is bullish, with the next level to watch being at $3.15, its highest level in October last year. A drop below the key support level of $1.93 will invalidate the bullish view.
AMC stock chart | Source: TradingView
The main reason behind the ongoing AMC stock rally is the ongoing rebound of the Box Office.
In a statement released earlier this month, the company said that it welcomed more than 4.2 million moviegoers to its US locations in May.
Globally, the figure jumped to 25.5 million, the highest level since May 2019. This growth is a continuation of what has been happening this year, with titles like The Super Mario Galaxy, Michael, Project Hail Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, and Pegasus being among the most popular.
This growth will likely continue as several titles are expected to be released. This includes popular names like The Odyssey, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Moana, and The Hunger Games.
AMC stock also rose after the company published its financial results. Its revenue rose to $1.04 billion in the first quarter from the $862 million it made last year.
Its adjusted EBITDA improved to $38.3 million from a loss of $57.2 million in the same quarter last year. Also, it narrowed its losses, with its net loss improving to $117.1 million from the previous $201 million.
Analysts are largely optimistic about the company, with the annual revenue expected to jump by 12% this year to $5.4 billion.
It is expected to jump to $5.7 billion next year, with the company expected to turn a net profit in 2027.
This view likely explains why the CEO recently bought shares worth over $344k.
Still, the company has a major risk ahead: dilution. It recently completed its at-the-market raising of $150 million to boost its balance sheet.
Over time, AMC has boosted its outstanding shares from 58 million in 2023 to 605 million today.
AMC Entertainment stock is taking a breather. What’s the outlook for AMC shares? What Is AMC’s Recent Equity Raise Impact?AMC recently completed a $150 million at-the-market equity offering, selling about 105.3 million shares, with management framing the proceeds as a way to strengthen cash, improve financial flexibility, and support goals like boosting adjusted EBITDA and reducing leverage. The headline matters because big share issuance can act as near-term supply that traders often fade after sharp runs.
In the background, AMC has pointed to a record May box office and said global attendance reached 25.5 million, its strongest May since 2019, alongside six films posting domestic opening weekends above $75 million over the past 11 weeks.
U.S. index tone is mixed-to-firm in premarket trading, with the Nasdaq (QQQ) up 0.66% versus smaller moves in the S&P 500 (SPY) up 0.10%, the Russell 2000 (IWM) up 0.08%, and the Dow (DIA) down 0.07%. AMC's slight dip looks more stock-specific than macro-driven, with traders focusing on post-raise positioning.
AMC Stock: Key Technical Levels To WatchFrom a longer-term chart view, AMC is still in a rebound phase: at $2.48 it's trading above its 20-day SMA ($1.87) and 200-day SMA ($1.90), which is the kind of "trend repair" bulls want to see hold on pullbacks. The catch is the bigger structure is still mixed because the 50-day SMA ($1.66) remains below the 200-day SMA, a bearish longer-term alignment that can cap rallies.
Momentum is the key near-term risk: RSI is 72.36, which signals the move is getting stretched and can be prone to sharp pullbacks or sideways churn even if the trend stays constructive. RSI is essentially a "how extended is this move?" gauge, and readings above 70 often mean buyers may need to cool off before the next leg higher.
The recent turning points underline why this can stay choppy: the last swing low formed in March (near the 52-week low of 93 cents), while the most recent swing high was in June, leaving a wide range for price to work through. With the stock now 31% above its 200-day SMA and 50.1% above its 50-day SMA, bulls typically want to see dips get bought rather than slicing back through those trend lines.
Key Resistance: $2.50 — a round-number area that can attract supply after the recent run Key Support: $1.90 — near the 200-day SMA/EMA zone ($1.90–$1.93), a common "line in the sand" during trend repairs What Is AMC Entertainment Holdings?AMC Entertainment Holdings is in the theatrical exhibition business, owning, operating, or holding interests in theaters across the U.S. and Europe. It leans into premium formats and amenities like plush power recliners, MacGuffins full bars, AMC Dine-In Theatres and upgraded presentation options.
The company reports results across U.S. and International markets, with the U.S. as its main revenue driver, so box office and attendance trends are central to the equity story. That's why management's "demand is recovering" message (record May box office and 25.5 million global guests in May) is getting tied directly to the capital raise and the stock's recent volatility.
AMC Stock Price Activity TodayAMC Stock Price Activity: AMC Entertainment shares were up 2.81% at $2.56 Wednesday morning, according to Benzinga Pro data.
Image: Shutterstock
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AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC 24.64%), a movie theater exhibition and cinema operator, closed at $2.83 and rose 6.39%. Traders were weighing record May attendance, a $150 million equity sale, and a $4 billion long-term debt load. Investors are watching summer box-office trends and the next earnings window for liquidity updates.
Trading volume reached 80.8 million shares, coming in about 140% above its three-month average of 33.6 million shares. AMC Entertainment Holdings IPO'd in 2013 and has fallen 99% since going public.
How the markets moved todayThe S&P 500 (^GSPC 1.44%) closed at 7,501 and rose 1.08%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC 2.21%) closed at 26,518 and gained 1.91%. Among movie theater and cinema operations peers, Cinemark Holdings (CNK +0.59%) closed at $33.76, up 1.96%, while National CineMedia (NCMI +3.57%) closed at $3.40, falling 6.34%.
What this means for investorsThe summer movie season is just kicking off, but AMC is already seeing solid attendance. The company said May saw the highest attendance since 2019, both domestically and globally. That has investors jumping into the theater operator’s stock.
The company still isn’t on solid financial footing, though. Investors need to consider more than just its debt load, too. Last week, AMC completed a $150 million equity offering to help boost its balance sheet.
That move helps the company, but it is dilutive to existing shareholders. AMC will likely need more than a single year of strong box-office attendance to reward shareholders.
Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
