Category: Member News

Cinema United Releases “Strength of Theatrical Exhibition” 2025 Update Spotlighting Important Movie Theatre Industry Metrics

Movie Fan Engagement Remains High with Gen Z Moviegoers Leading the Charge to the Local Theatre

LOS ANGELES, CA – (Dec. 17, 2025) – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association, today released the 2025 update to its “Strength of Theatrical Exhibition” report, an annual analysis of key industry metrics beyond traditional box-office performance. This year’s update highlights how theatres are building loyalty through innovation, high-quality experiences, and a diverse slate of films—trends that continue to drive strong audience engagement. The report includes a special spotlight on Gen Z moviegoers, whose frequency of attendance grew by 25% over the last 12 months*, the largest increase of any age group.

“Weekend box office is important, but a more accurate measure is looking at the industry on an annual basis and considering myriad other factors in the marketplace to get a more complete picture of the strength of the industry,” said Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. “2025 is a perfect example of a year where an inconsistent box office threatens to overshadow other variables that point to a bright future for movies on the big screen.”

Key findings in the 2025 update include:

  • The number of habitual moviegoers (those who see at least six movies annually) grew by 8% *.
  • 77% of Americans aged 12-74 saw at least one movie, representing a total of more than 200 million Americans*.
  • Cinema loyalty programs in North America saw a 15% jump in new subscriptions from 2024 to 2025**.
  • Among all age groups, Gen Z went to the movies more frequently, averaging 6.1 visits, up from 4.9.*
  • 41% of Gen Z audiences went to the movies six times or more, up from 31% in 2022*.

In addition, the Cinema United “Strength of Theatrical Exhibition” 2025 update features unreleased Gen Z-focused data from global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company’s Attention Equation report, revealing new insights into what Gen Z seeks out most in going to the movies, namely, immersive moviegoing experiences and unique concessions as the two highest-rated priorities.

“Movie fans, led by Gen Z, in particular, love coming to the movies and theatre owners are responding by spending over $1.5 billion upgrading their theatres over the past year in North America alone,” O’Leary continued. “The number of people who saw six or more movies grew a staggering 8% last year, and with the amazing slate of 2026 movies on the horizon, that trend has a chance to continue. Time and time again, consumers show that when investment and innovation combine with a great movie to create a special experience, the theatrical business thrives. That time-tested foundation of our industry remains strong, and we are excited to build upon it toward greater success in the coming year.”

*Source: NRG’s Future of Film report, August 2024-August 2025
**Source: Cinema United

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE 2025 UPDATE

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED

Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing 31,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 80 countries. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.

Cinema United Staff Supports Cranford Theatre Reopening In New Jersey

[Left to Right: Cinema United’s Harry Medved, Cranford Theater’s Doreen Sayegh, Cinema United’s Matt Pollock]

Cinema United staffers Matt Pollock and Harry Medved recently attended the reopening of the nearly 100 year-old Cranford Theatre, the cultural gathering place for the historic Main Street America town of Cranford, New Jersey.

Reopening and revitalizing the five-screen Cranford Theater has been the result of the hard work of indefatigable cinema owner Doreen Sayegh (highlighted in Cinema United’s Behind the Screens: Faces of Exhibition video from CinemaCon 2025), along with her family and team members.

“The movie theatre is definitely the anchor of our downtown,” says Downtown Cranford Executive Director Caren Demyen said at the the theatre’s reopening on December 2, 2025, “People go see a movie at The Cranford Theater and they will stop at other downtown destinations to have dinner or drinks nearby. Because of the wide variety of movies playing at the cinema, they’ll be introduced to the town of Cranford, New Jersey, and then will want to come back. We do a lot of cinema-merchant collaborations, like Sunday Dinner & a Movie with our local bistro or an in-theatre book-reading tie-in with the Cranford Bookstore. The local merchants really appreciate the theatre being here, and they see first-hand how it helps their business. We’re so grateful that Doreen and her team were able to achieve this holiday miracle for us. She embodies what community means with the support she’s provided for all of us. We’re so lucky that Doreen and the theatre are here.” 

Cinema United Opposes Proposed Acquisition Of Legendary Hollywood Studio Warner Bros.

Fewer Movies and Lack of Meaningful Commitment to Theatrical Exhibition will Hurt Consumers, Theatre Owners, and the Entertainment Industry around the Globe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Dec. 5, 2025 – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association which represents over 30,000 movie screens in all 50 states, with an additional 26,000 screens internationally, announced today their opposition to the proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix.

“The proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. by Netflix poses an unprecedented threat to the global exhibition business. The negative impact of this acquisition will impact theatres from the biggest circuits to one-screen independents in small towns in the United States and around the world,” said Cinema United President and CEO Michael O’Leary. “Cinema United stands ready to support industry changes that lead to increased movie production and give consumers more opportunities to enjoy a day at the local theatre. But Netflix’s stated business model does not support theatrical exhibition. In fact, it is the opposite. Regulators must look closely at the specifics of this proposed transaction and understand the negative impact it will have on consumers, exhibition and the entertainment industry.”

This mega-deal between Netflix and Warner Bros. would risk removing 25% of the annual domestic box office if films that are traditionally given a robust theatrical release by Warner Bros. disappear from theatres. Netflix currently grants only a handful of their films a token theatrical release and the overwhelming majority of Netflix titles go straight to their platform.

“Netflix success is television, not movies on the big screen. A true commitment to theatrical means a robust slate of movies with a meaningful period of theatrical exclusivity supported by marketing. Sporadic and truncated theatrical releases to meet awards criteria in a handful of theatres is not a commitment to exhibition.” O’Leary added. “Movie theatres are cultural and economic anchors of communities of all sizes – we are a Main Street industry. Research shows that for each dollar spent in a local movie theatre, an additional $1.50 is spent in surrounding businesses in the community—restaurants, bars, shopping centers, transportation. That is what is at risk here if we sanction fewer movies in the marketplace. Theatres will close, communities will suffer, jobs will be lost.”

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED

Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 31,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 80 countries. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.

Headlines Newsletter, December 2, 2025

Global Box Office

Variety: ‘Zootopia 2’ Box Office: All the Records Set in Opening Weekend

Global
Highest animated global opening of all time (based on current rates) 
Fourth-biggest global opening of all time after “Avengers: Endgame” ($1.2 billion), “Avengers: Infinity War” ($630 million) and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” ($587 million)
Biggest global debut of 2025
Highest global opening for an animated sequel ever
Largest global opening ever for Walt Disney Animation Studios
Highest global opening for any animated film in Disney’s 102-year history
Biggest opening weekend increase from original to sequel for any animated franchise (239%)

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Release Calendar

The Hollywood Reporter: ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ Live-Action Movie, New ‘Sonic’ Set 2028 Releases From Paramount

Paramount‘s 2028 slate will include four pizza-loving turtles and a hedgehog.

The studio announced Monday that the untitled hybrid live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles feature from producer Neal H. Moritz will hit theaters Nov. 17, 2028. Additionally, an untitled film in the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise is set for theatrical release on Dec. 22, 2028.

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Cinema United Attends UNIC Cinema Days

[Left to Right: UNIC’s Laura Houlgatte, Cinema United’s Erin Von Hoetzendorff, UNIC and UK Cinema Association’s Phil Clapp]

Cinema United’s Director of Membership and Global Affairs Erin Von Hoetzendorff attended UNIC Cinema Days 2025 in Brussels on November 20 and 21.

The opening day offered a broad overview of key industry themes, and it include UNIC Women’s Cinema Leadership Programme session, which spotlighted professional development, leadership pathways, and the importance of diverse voices shaping the future of exhibition. The day also featured several panels and presentations on the state of cinema in Europe, emerging issues, and strategic opportunities that align closely with Cinema United’s own priorities, including training, accessibility, sustainability.

The second day featured Technology Lab sessions, which explored cinema technology lifecycles, cybersecurity, operational efficiency, PLF innovations, and future-focused technical infrastructure. UNIC produced a truly outstanding event, and Cinema United appreciated the chance to connect with so many of our international members and partners. Events like this strength relationships and created a deeper alignment with the global exhibition community.

Headlines Newsletter, November 10, 2025

Credit Card Fees

[SUBSCRIPTION] The Wall Street Journal: Visa and Mastercard Near Deal With Merchants That Would Change Rewards Landscape

Visa and Mastercard are nearing a settlement with merchants that aims to end a 20-year-old legal dispute by lowering fees stores pay and giving them more power to reject certain credit cards, according to people familiar with the matter.
 
Under terms being discussed, Visa and Mastercard would lower credit-card interchange fees, which are often between 2% and 2.5%, by an average of around 0.1 percentage point over several years, the people said. They would also loosen rules that require merchants that accept one of a network’s credit cards to accept all of them.
 
A deal could be announced soon, the people said, and would require court approval to take effect.
 
If an agreement is finalized, consumers could see big changes at the register. Merchants that accept one kind of Visa credit card wouldn’t have to accept all Visa credit cards, for example. Under the current talks, credit-card acceptance would be divided into several categories including rewards credit cards, credit cards with no rewards programs, and commercial cards, the people familiar with the matter said.

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Deadline: Cinema Owners Spent $1.5B On Upgrades Over Past Year

NBC: ‘Wicked’ director says movie theaters are ‘a space that we have to protect’

“Wicked: For Good” director Jon M. Chu tells Kristen Welker that movie theaters are “one of our last analog spaces” as he reflects on the return of big-screen musicals and the communal power of shared storytelling.

Read full article

Cinema United Attends Regional Cinema Leaders’ Meetings in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts

[Left to right: Lou DiGioia, Penn Ketchum, Michael O’Leary, and Gina Taffet]

Cinema United’s President & CEO Michael O’Leary and COO Lou DiGioia recently attended two regional gatherings where cinema owners and operators were able to come together to discuss the future of exhibition.

Cinema United of Pennsylvania, which has been led by President Gina Taffet since 2005, hosted their annual meeting at Penn Ketchum‘s Penn Cinema in Lititz, Pennsylvania on October 22. The day was filled with reports on legislative issues, technology, and a presentation by O’Leary focused on the current state of exhibition as we head into what will be a massive holiday season at the box office. Cinema operators from around the state also gave presentations on how to creatively market theatres. Thank you to the Pennsylvania Cinema United Board: Dave Castilli of Circle Drive-in, Shelbi Gutowski and David Phillips of RC Cinemas, Frank Moses of Golden Star Theatres, Bruce Taffet of Taffet & Associates, LLC, Melissa Rohrbach of Cinemark, Jason Buckland of Marcus Theatres, Drew Sheaffer of Penn Cinemas, and Ed Troll of Richland Cinemas for putting on a great event.

[Left to right: John Vincent, Michael O’Leary, Doug Murdoch, and Lou DiGioia]

Theatre Owners of New England United and the Connecticut Association of Theatre Owners met on October 28 & 29 at Regal’s Bellingham, Massachusetts location. The two days featured studio presentations from Sony and Disney, a speech by O’Leary, and a presentation on concessions by the Entertainment Food & Beverage Association’s Dan Herrle. A special thank you to Executive Director John Vincent and President Harold Blank from Theatre Owners of New England United and Doug Murdoch from the Connecticut Association of Theatre Owners for organizing the event.

Cinema United Hires Theo George As Director of Marketing

WASHINGTON, D.C. AND LOS ANGELES – October 23, 2025 – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association, announced today that it has tapped Theo George as Director of Marketing. This is a new position that will serve multiple marketing and communications functions for the organization, including social media, brand marketing, campaign and project management and creative leadership. Based in Los Angeles, George will be an integral member of the broader Cinema United team as it expands its impact among consumers and industry partners, advocating on behalf of theatrical exhibition as cultural and financial hubs for communities of all sizes across the country and around the world. George will report to Andrew Stewart, Cinema United’s Chief Communications Officer.

“From our first meeting with Theo, we were instantly impressed with his overall marketing experience in both exhibition and advocacy. His creative acumen and strategic insight, not to mention his passion and love of the movies, were obvious and we are thrilled to see him apply those skills to advance this amazing industry forward,” Stewart said.

George commented, saying: “I’ve spent a good portion of my career getting audiences excited about going to the movies because I believe deeply in the power of the shared theatrical experience. Cinema United’s mission to unite and promote the industry couldn’t be more urgent or inspiring. I’m thrilled to champion the theatre owners who create those magical moments for millions of moviegoers and ensure that the irreplaceable experience of going to the movies remains a cultural cornerstone.”

In this new role, George will be in charge of developing and executing a comprehensive social media strategy for Cinema United, as well as CinemaCon, the world’s premier annual showcase of theatrical exhibition hosted by Cinema United. He will also oversee the strategic growth of general consumer interactions for Cinema United and CinemaCon through creative year-round marketing activations and targeted brand and media partnerships.

Prior to joining Cinema United, George most recently served as Cinema Marketing Manager for BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), where he drove audience engagement and exceeded revenue targets through innovative, data-driven campaigns. He previously served as Marketing Director for the Maryland Film Festival and worked as a Digital Strategist for the National Center for Transgender Equality, where he led groundbreaking advocacy campaigns. Theo holds a Master’s in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University and a Bachelor’s in Africana Studies from UMBC.

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED

Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 33,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 80 countries internationally. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.

Cinema United Extends Contract of CEO and President

Multi-year agreement keeps Michael O’Leary at Cinema United through 2030

WASHINGTON, D.C. AND LOS ANGELES – October 14, 2025 – Cinema United, the world’s largest exhibition trade association, announced today that it has extended the contract of CEO and President Michael O’Leary for an additional five years. O’Leary, who joined the organization in 2023, will continue to lead Cinema United under an agreement that was approved unanimously by the Cinema United Executive Board at their meeting in Los Angeles last week.

“Michael has proven to be a tireless and passionate advocate for the exhibition industry,” said Mike Bowers, Cinema United Board Chair and CEO of Harkins Theatres. “Leveraging his broad experience in the motion picture industry as well as on Capitol Hill, Michael’s focus on unity, strategy and continuous improvement has earned the confidence and respect of members of all sizes, as well as our studio partners. ​The next five years present unique and exciting opportunities for our industry. We are thrilled to have the long-term stability and steady hand of Michael and the talented Cinema United team representing us during this time.”

Since joining the organization in May 2023, O’Leary has focused on promoting and amplifying the positive economic and cultural impact of movie theatres in cities and towns around the world. Cinema United recently released its report highlighting that the domestic industry alone spent over $1.5 billion on theatre re-investment in just the past twelve months. Exhibition’s commitment to creating the Next Great Era of Cinema will be on display next spring at their annual global convention CinemaCon where “Innovation and Experiences” will be the primary theme.  Also this year, O’Leary, who believes that the strength of theatrical exhibition is its people, oversaw the successful adoption of the Cinema United brand in support of his effort to unify and strengthen an industry that spans the globe and comprises businesses from single-screen theatres to the world’s largest international theatre circuits.

“Representing the great people who own and operate theatres across the United States and around the world has been one of the great honors of my professional career, and I am energized by the opportunities that lie ahead for this iconic industry,” said O’Leary. “I want to thank Chairman Mike Bowers, outgoing Chair Bob Bagby and the entire Cinema United Executive Board for this opportunity. I also want to thank my dedicated colleagues at Cinema United. Our success is a direct result of their hard work and creativity, and I am excited to continue our work supporting and advocating on behalf of this industry.”

ABOUT CINEMA UNITED

Founded in 1948, Cinema United is the largest exhibition trade organization in the world, representing more than 33,000 movie screens in all 50 U.S. states and Canada, with an additional more than 30,000 screens in 81 countries internationally. Its membership includes theatres of all sizes, from the largest cinema chains to one-screen theatres in cities and towns around the world. For additional information, please visit cinemaunited.org.

Cinema United
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