| Innovation Variety: Theaters Have Re-Invested $1.5 Billion in Past Year to Keep Audiences Engaged With Premium Large Formats, Loyalty Rewards and Better Dining Experiences Speaking with Variety, Michael O’Leary, president and CEO of Washington, D.C.-based Cinema United (fomerly NATO), said, “You’re seeing this evolution of theaters becoming these big inclusive places where family and movie fans can go and spend hours on end.” As theaters continue to expand their offerings to audiences — including attractions like novelty popcorn buckets — O’Leary says he feels good about this year, and with movies like “Lilo and Stitch” and “Minecraft” dominating the box office, he feels he needs to make sure that there are places that are exciting and experiential for people. Read full article Deadline: Cinema Owners Spent $1.5B On Upgrades Over Past Year “Exhibition is a Main Street industry,” said, Cinema United CEO Michael O’Leary. “Theatre owners aren’t just re-investing in their facilities; they are investing in cities and towns of all sizes across the United States and Canada. The beneficiaries of this commitment will, of course, be movie fans of all ages but also local businesses and the talented contractors and craftspeople who help bring these renovations to life.” Investments range from costlier new building of entertainment centers that combine multi-screen theaters with activities from axe throwing to bowling to arcades; reopening and revamping closed cinemas; new digital projectors, movie screens, sound systems and seats in auditoriums. New full-service lobby bars are increasingly popular. So is adding kitchens. Some 10% of the North American box office is made up of dine-in sales, the report said. Read full article |
Category: Member News
Cinema Owners In North America Have Invested $1.5 Billion In Their Theatres Throughout The Past Year
New Cinema Investment Report from Cinema United Highlights Exhibition’s Commitment to Reinvesting in the Consumer Experience
Eight Largest Circuits Surpass $900 Million Mark in Twelve Months
WASHINGTON, D.C. and LOS ANGELES, CA – September 16, 2025 – A new report issued today by Cinema United highlights that the North American exhibition industry re-invested more than $1.5 billion in their theatres in the past year, demonstrating a clear financial commitment to creating the premium entertainment experiences that fans of movies on the big screen crave. This industry total includes re-investment of $920 million from the eight largest circuits in the United States and Canada. A year ago, those same eight circuits alone pledged their commitment to invest more than $2.2 billion to modernize and upgrade theatres of all sizes over a three-year period.
From Cinema United, the trade association representing nearly 64,000 screens worldwide, the Cinema Investment Report highlights the overall depth and breadth of these investments across the industry and the impact they have on communities of all sizes. From upgrading projectors, sound equipment and screens (there are nearly 6,000 premium large-format screens worldwide) to adding dynamic food & beverage options (dine-in cinemas represent 10% of the North American box office), cinemas today sit at the forefront of the experiential economy, driving local business and providing positive financial growth for a myriad of industry partners, including construction, architecture, marketing and advertising, retail and dining. More than 100,000 jobs around the world are directly related to the innovation and investments highlighted in this report.
“Exhibition is a Main Street industry,” says Michael O’Leary, President and CEO of Cinema United. “Theatre owners aren’t just re-investing in their facilities; they are investing in cities and towns of all sizes across the United States and Canada. The beneficiaries of this commitment will, of course, be movie fans of all ages but also local businesses and the talented contractors and craftspeople who help bring these renovations to life.”
In addition to showcasing the capital investments being made in theatres, the report also highlights the local vendors who led construction and renovation efforts that movies fans everywhere will enjoy.
“Movie theatres provide an unmatched entertainment experience for people around the world, but they are also important cornerstones in their communities. The re-investment and innovation underway at theatres of all sizes will bolster local economies by driving revenue and creating jobs,” says Bob Bagby, CEO of B&B Theatres and Chair of Cinema United. “Every day, movie theatres create jobs, partner with local vendors and attract movie fans who also support surrounding businesses.”
Cinema United members featured in this report include AMC, B&B Theatres, Cinemark, Cineplex, Cinépolis, Golden Ticket Cinemas, Harkins, Marcus, Ojai Playhouse, Penn Cinema, Phoenix Theatres (headquartered in Detroit), Regal and Santikos.
Partners mentioned also include Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce (Clarksville, Tenn.), GastingerWalker (architecture firm in Kansas City, Mo.), Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce (Joplin, Mo.), Kinectiv (advertising/marketing firm in Lancaster, Pa.), KEPH Construction (Dadeville, Ala.), Kupiec Architects (Santa Barbara, Calif.), Prosser Wilbert (construction company in Kansas City, Mo.) and Speedwell Construction (Manheim, Pa.).
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.
Headlines Newsletter, September 11, 2025
| Distribution Deadline: Paramount Exploring Bid For Warner Bros. Discovery The just merged Paramount Skydance is exploring a bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, heralding potentially more change in an entertainment landscape that’s seeing rapid shifts. Larry Ellison, chairman and co-founder of Oracle, is one of the richest people in the world and the patriarch of the Ellison family, which led the $8.4 billion deal that landed his son David Ellison’s Skydance Media with control of Paramount Global. That transaction closed August. There’s been speculation since that the big, new and deep-pocketed player in Hollywood would turn its sights on Warner next, but the focus had been on Warner Bros. Studios, which is in the process of separating from the company’s global cable networks and linear television. The Par deal currently being explored, however, seems to be for the entire company. Read full article |
Headlines Newsletter, August 29, 2025
| Box Office |
| Variety: Could Gen Alpha Save Movie Theaters? New Survey Shows Why ‘Minecraft’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Had Huge Success With Kids Kids and preteens may reinvigorate the theatrical movie business, at least according to a new study by entertainment researchers NRG. The report found that Gen Alpha, which consists of children born from roughly 2013 to 2025, is more interested in seeing movies in the big screen than older consumers. Roughly 59% of members of that generation said they enjoy watching movies in theaters more than at home, compared to 48% of Gen Z (people born between 1997 and 2012), 45% of Millennials (people born between 1981 and 1996) and Gen X (people born between 1965 and 1980). The study’s authors suggest that the ubiquity of smartphones and streaming services has made younger consumers more interested in a night out at the multiplex. |
Headlines Newsletter, August 21, 2025
| Release Schedule |
| The Hollywood Reporter: Bradley Cooper’s ‘Is This Thing On?’ Lands December Release Bradley Cooper‘s forthcoming feature Is This Thing On? has landed a prime holiday season release date from Searchlight Pictures. The film hits theaters Dec. 19 following its premiere at the New York Film Festival on Oct. 10. The movie stars Will Arnett, Laura Dern, Cooper, Andra Day, Sean Hayes, Amy Sedaris and Ciarán Hinds. Is This Thing On? centers on Alex (Arnett) and Tess (Dern), who attempt to navigate their divorce as Alex changes his career path to pursue a life as a confessional stand-up comedian in New York City. The life of British comedian John Bishop inspired the movie’s story. |
| The Hollywood Reporter: Bill Hader’s ‘The Cat in the Hat’ Lands New November 2026 Release Date Warner Bros.’ animated event pic The Cat in the Hat has landed a new release date in theaters, relocating from Feb, 27, 2026 to Nov. 6 of that year. The studio says the new date gives the film — the first title from the newly relaunched Warner Bros. Pictures Animation division — a long runway to play throughout the year-end holidays when families and kids are more readily available. Based on the beloved Dr. Seuss tale, Bill Hader voices The Cat. The A-list voice cast also includes Xochitl Gomez, Matt Berry, Quinta Brunson, Paula Pell, Tiago Martinez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Bowen Yang and Tituss Burgess. |
Headlines Newsletter, August 6, 2025
| Distribution |
| Variety: Disney Boss Bob Iger Says ‘Creating New IP’ Is of ‘Great Value’ but There’s No ‘Priority’ Among Sequels, Remakes and Originals: Just ‘Great Movies’ Bob Iger said during Disney‘s earnings call that the studio does not have a priority when it comes to movie sequels, remakes and original content, despite the upcoming slate being overwhelmingly dominated by franchise fare like “Freakier Friday,” “Predator: Badlands,” “Tron: Ares,” “Zootopia 2” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” Disney is only seeking to make great movies, the CEO stressed. “We continue to be focused on creating new IP,” Iger said. “Obviously, that’s of great value to us long term. But we also know that the popularity of our older IP remains significant, and the opportunities to either produce sequels or convert what was previously animation to live action, like we’re doing with ‘Moana’ in 2026, it’s just a great opportunity for the company and supports our franchise. So I wouldn’t say that we’ve got a priority one way or the other. Our priority is to put out great movies that ultimately resonate with consumers.” “The more we can find and develop original property, the better,” Iger continued. “Of course, we are developing original property under the 20th Century banner and under the Searchlight banner. And look, you could even argue that Marvel continues to mine its library of characters for original property. Even though, for instance, there have been Fantastic Four movies before, we kind of consider the one we did an original property in many respects, because we’re introducing those characters to people who are not familiar with them at all.” |
| THR: Paramount Rounds Out Its Executive Ranks Under David Ellison The new Paramount Global has rounded out its executive ranks for business operations following the close of its merger with David Ellison’s Skydance, which is expected to be finalized on Thursday.Don Granger will be president of its motion picture group and Matt Thunell will have the same role at Paramount Television Studios. Jane Wiseman will lead streaming originals from the executive vice president level. |
| Release Calendar |
| Variety: ‘Hamilton’ Movie Sets September Theatrical Release On Tuesday’s episode of “The Tonight Show,” Lin-Manuel Miranda revealed that the movie version of his Tony Award-winning musical “Hamilton” will come to theaters on Sept. 5. “I have an announcement!” Miranda declared during his “Tonight Show” interview. “So, tomorrow is the 10-year anniversary of ‘Hamilton,’ and we’ve been celebrating all year. But we have one more way to celebrate. We filmed most of the original cast performing in ‘Hamilton’ in 2016, and we always wanted to release it theatrically, but then the pandemic hit, and so we decided to release it on streaming so that everyone could see it at home whenever they wanted. But, Sept. 5, you will be able to see ‘Hamilton’ in movie theaters nationwide and in Puerto Rico.” |
| Variety: Mel Gibson Splits ‘Passion of the Christ’ Sequel Into Two Movies, Sets 2027 Release Dates Mel Gibson‘s much-delayed “The Passion of the Christ” sequel will be split into two films, with each part set to release in 2027.“The Resurrection of the Christ Part One” is slated for Good Friday, March 26, while “Part Two” is set for 40 days later on Ascension Day, May 6. Lionsgate will release the films in theaters. |
Apply Now For the Future Leaders in Cinema Program
We’re excited to announce the launch of Future Leaders in Cinema (FLIC)—a new leadership development program designed to identify and support the next generation of movie theater leaders.
What is FLIC?
FLIC is a two-year program focused on leadership development, education, and industry engagement. Selected participants will gain valuable access to:
- Leadership-focused educational programming
- Networking opportunities with peers and industry executives
- One-on-one mentorship from senior leaders
- Exclusive participation at industry events, including the Cinema United Fall Summit
Program Highlights:
- Selected scholars will receive a scholarship to attend the Cinema United Fall Summit that covers the cost of registration and hotel, and a stipend of up to $1000 for travel costs.
- Participants will attend leadership programming, committee meetings, and networking events to deepen industry knowledge and build connections.
Eligibility:
Applicants must own or work for a movie theater that is a member in good standing in Cinema United, demonstrate leadership potential, and commit to full participation over the program’s two-year term.
How to Apply:
Applications are now open and close on August 25 at 6:00 pm PST. A letter of recommendation from an industry professional will be required.
Learn more and apply here
We look forward to seeing the next generation of leaders shape the future of cinema!
If you have questions, please reach out to Amanda Martin at amanda@cinemaunited.org
Headlines Newsletter, August 4, 2025
| Distribution |
| The Hollywood Reporter: David Ellison Sets His Team: These Are the People Who Will Run the New Paramount As previously announced, former NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell will be president of the new Paramount. But joining him will be Andy Gordon, who had been leading RedBird Capital’s Los Angeles office, who will become COO of the company. RedBird, which is providing financial capital to support the Skydance deal, has also most recently employed Shell.As expected, current Paramount co-CEO George Cheeks, who has also been leading the CBS business, will remain with the company as chair of TV media, adding oversight of the company’s cable TV channels.Cindy Holland, the former Netflix content chief, will lead new Paramount’s streaming businesses, including Paramount+ and Pluto. Holland has been a Skydance advisor since last year. |
Cinema United Visits Megaplex’s New Cinema Entertainment Center in South Jordan, Utah
[Cinema United’s Amanda Martin with Britten Maughan, President of Megaplex Theatres]
Megaplex Theatres hosted a film cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of their first ever cinema entertainment center in South Jordan, Utah. The company is already planning to build two more cinema entertainment centers over the next two years.
Britten Maughan, President of Megaplex Theaters, kicked off the ceremony with some opening remarks.
“Megaplex is a place where extraordinary moments become cherished memories,” said Maughan. “We are thrilled to open Megaplex’s first cinema entertainment center with cinema, bowling, games, and enhanced dining options, securing Megaplex’s position as a place to live life larger.”
Executives Steve Miller, Steve Starks, and Michelle Smith from the Larry H. Miller Company—Megaplex’s parent company—were also in attendance, and they spoke about the enormous potential the new venue has. Dawn Ramsey, mayor of South Jordan, was on hand to tout the importance of a new out-of-home entertainment choice to the local community.
The South Jordan location boasts eight movie screens, 18 bowling lanes, arcade games, and an event space. Two of the five screens are Mega Screens, Megaplex’s premium large format option.
Megaplex’s latest venture represents an important addition to South Jordan’s Daybreak community, which also includes a minor league stadium for the Utah Bees, an outdoor concert venue, and room for ice skating in the winter.
Code Updates Impacting Cinema Operations
Cinema United partners with Code Consultants, Inc. (CCI), a leading engineering and consulting firm that provides expert guidance to ensure that cinema designs and operations comply with evolving building codes and safety standards. Click here for a report that includes the latest updates from CCI on key code changes in areas such as fire/life safety, structural requirements, and accessibility to provide an overview of current and upcoming regulatory developments that might affect the cinema industry.