AMC posts surprise profit as record $1.59B revenue beats estimates

AMC Entertainment posted record second-quarter revenue of $1.59 billion, up 14%, as blockbuster films drove attendance higher.

"The momentum in the total industry-wide domestic box office was undeniable, reaching approximately $2.99 billion, up 10.7 percent from last year's second quarter, making this the biggest box office quarter in seven years and the fifth biggest quarter ever," Chief Executive Officer Adam Aron said in a statement.

Metric	Q2 2026	Q2 2025	Change
Revenue	$1.59B	$1.39B	+14%
Adjusted EBITDA	$320.6M	$189.2M	+69.5%
Net loss	($11.4M)	($4.7M)	wider
U.S. attendance	52.2M	46.8M	+12%
International attendance	18.7M	16M	+18%

The company posted an adjusted profit that surprised analysts, with adjusted EBITDA nearly doubling from a year ago. AMC's net loss widened to $11.4 million from $4.7 million, reflecting higher operating costs tied to the increased volume of screenings and concession sales.

The results show a sustained recovery for the exhibition industry, fueled by Hollywood tentpoles including "Toy Story 5," "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" and horror hits "Backrooms" and "Obsession." Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" delivered this year's biggest live-action debut with a $124 million global opening over the weekend, providing further momentum heading into the second half.

AMC shares surged in early trading Monday as investors cheered the beat on both revenue and adjusted EBITDA. The company's improved operating leverage — with revenue rising faster than costs — shows the theater chain is emerging from the pandemic-era disruptions that saddled it with heavy debt. The full-year 2026 domestic box office is on track to exceed last year's performance and could set a new annual record, according to the company. Investors will watch the third-quarter box office lineup for signs that the recovery can sustain through the year-end holiday season.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.