AMC Theatres Reports Strong Q3 Profit Amid Box Office Recovery, CEO Expresses Concern Over Hollywood Strikes

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08/11/2023 23h16

AMC Theatres, the mega-exhibitor in the cinema industry, announced its financial results for the third quarter, revealing a significant profit and a boost in overall revenues. As the box office continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, AMC enjoyed success with films like Barbie and Oppenheimer during the summer season.

The company posted a net earning of $12.3 million, a stark contrast to the loss of $226.9 million in the same period last year. Revenues also surged by 45 percent, reaching $1.4 billion, compared to $968.4 million a year ago. These results surpassed analysts' expectations, who predicted revenues of $1.26 billion.

Despite the positive performance, there are concerns regarding the impact of the ongoing Hollywood strikes on AMC's future prospects. The CEO, Adam Aron, expressed his worry about the challenges the company may face during the dual strikes by writers and actors, urging all parties involved to come to the negotiating table and find a resolution promptly.

The strikes have disrupted the flow of movies to consumers, both in theaters and at home, as numerous projects have been delayed to 2024. Major studios will need to rearrange their production and release schedules once the current SAG-AFTRA labor action is settled.

Aron highlighted the significant collateral damage caused by these lengthy work stoppages, emphasizing the importance of resolving the disputes so that Hollywood can return to creating outstanding entertainment. He called for harmony among all involved in the movie ecosystem, from studio executives to union members, to ensure the world can continue to enjoy world-class content.

During the third quarter, AMC Theatres witnessed a 38.4 percent increase in attendance compared to the previous year, with 73.5 million patrons visiting their cinemas.

In other news, AMC Entertainment, the parent company of AMC Theatres, held its annual shareholders meeting, signaling its transition from the meme stock mania that helped the cinema giant weather the pandemic to a more conventional market stock.

AMC Theatres Distribution, a division of the company, gained attention by partnering with domestic and international entities to release The Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film worldwide. CEO Aron predicted that more concert films would be screened in 2024 and 2025, after reporting a profitable distribution of the Taylor Swift concert film in the upcoming fourth-quarter financial results.

Furthermore, AMC is exploring the opportunity to showcase live sports on its large screens as a part of its strategy to diversify its content offerings beyond traditional Hollywood blockbusters, aligning with the evolving landscape of the exhibition industry.

Aron reiterated the company's commitment to raising fresh capital to support its operations and manage the high debt load caused by pandemic-related disruptions and the ongoing Hollywood labor strikes. He expressed the intention to pursue equity capital when necessary.

As AMC Theatres continues to navigate the changing industry dynamics, the strong performance in the third quarter provides optimism for its future, contingent upon resolving the challenges posed by the Hollywood strikes and diversifying its content offerings.

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