AMC stock jumps as May movie attendance hits highest level since 2019

AMC Entertainment shares surged on Monday after the theater chain reported its strongest May attendance in seven years, adding to signs that the movie exhibition industry is benefiting from a stronger film slate in 2026.

The company said 25.5 million people attended AMC Theatres and Odeon Cinemas globally during May, marking its highest attendance for any month of May since 2019.

The figure included 4.2 million moviegoers over the Memorial Day weekend alone.

Investors welcomed the update, sending AMC shares up 20% to $2.09 on Monday. The rally followed a 9.5% gain on Friday.

Strong film slate drives attendance growth

AMC said domestic box-office performance has frequently met or exceeded expectations throughout much of the year, supported by a mix of established franchises and new releases.

One of the biggest contributors was horror film Backrooms, which generated $81 million at the domestic box office during its opening weekend.

AMC noted that the film became the sixth movie in the past 10 weeks to debut with more than $75 million in domestic ticket sales.

The company also highlighted the success of Obsession, a psychological horror film that has surpassed $100 million at the box office despite being produced on a budget of around $750,000.

Since March 20, several films have opened to more than $75 million domestically, according to AMC.

Those titles included The Devil Wears Prada 2, Project Hail Mary, Michael, The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, and The Mandalorian and Grogu.

The company said the results demonstrate continued consumer demand for theatrical releases when supported by strong content and marketing.

CEO cites demand for both franchises and new IP

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Adam Aron pointed to the diversity of the current release schedule.

"These immensely satisfying results reflect the strength of a diverse film slate, one that was driven both by established blockbusters with their well-known characters along with entirely new IP," Aron said.

In a separate statement, Aron added:

Summer lineup raises industry expectations

AMC's May performance comes as theater operators look ahead to a busy summer release schedule.

Aron highlighted upcoming titles, including Scary Movie, Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day, and Toy Story 5, as key attractions for moviegoers in the coming weeks. 

The optimism is not limited to AMC.

Rival Cinemark also reported a strong May, posting record attendance for the month and all-time highs in food and beverage spending per customer.

Both theater chains are expecting a strong start to the summer season, supported by releases such as Masters of the Universe, Supergirl, and Minions and Monsters.

The latest attendance figures suggest that a steady stream of high-profile sequels, science-fiction blockbusters, and horror releases is helping drive moviegoers back to theaters, providing a boost to exhibitors after several years of uneven box-office recovery.