AMC Entertainment enjoyed its biggest pre-Christmas holiday weekend since 2021, as more than 4 million moviegoers visited AMC Theatres and its international counterpart ODEON Cinemas from Thursday, December 18 through Sunday, December 21, driven in part by the blockbuster opening of Avatar: Fire & Ash and strong attendance across a slate of releases.

The strong performance was anchored by Avatar: Fire & Ash, which opened to a reported $88 million domestically and $345 million globally with premium formats such as IMAX 3D, Dolby Cinema 3D and RealD 3D accounting for roughly two-thirds of admissions revenue in U.S. AMC locations.

A Holiday Weekend Powered by a Global Blockbuster

At the center of AMC’s record-setting weekend was Avatar: Fire & Ash, the latest installment in James Cameron’s globally influential science fiction franchise. The film opened to an estimated $88 million in domestic ticket sales and an impressive $345 million worldwide, delivering one of the most robust holiday debuts in recent years.

For AMC, the film’s success was amplified by its performance in premium large-format (PLF) and immersive viewing options. Formats such as IMAX 3D, Dolby Cinema 3D, and RealD 3D accounted for approximately two-thirds of admissions revenue at U.S. AMC locations during the opening weekend. This highlights the increasing importance of premium experiences in driving both attendance and per-guest spending, particularly for visually rich, effects-driven films.

The strong demand for premium formats underscores a broader trend within theatrical exhibition: audiences are increasingly seeking differentiated experiences that cannot be replicated at home. AMC’s continued investment in cutting-edge projection, sound, and seating technologies positions the company to capitalize on these preferences, especially during peak moviegoing periods like the holidays.

Box Office Strength Across a Diverse Film Slate

While Avatar: Fire & Ash dominated headlines, the weekend’s performance was notable for its breadth, not just its top-line numbers. For the first time in 2025, the domestic box office saw five separate films each generate at least $14 million in estimated weekend earnings, signaling a healthy and competitive theatrical environment.

In addition to Avatar, contributing titles included:

• David, a dramatic release that resonated with adult audiences

• The Housemaid, which attracted strong interest among fans of suspense and thriller genres

• The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants, a family-friendly animated title drawing younger viewers and parents

• Zootopia 2, a holdover hit that continued to perform strongly weeks after its initial release

This variety enabled AMC and ODEON Cinemas to appeal to a wide demographic spectrum, from families and children to adult moviegoers and franchise loyalists. Such depth is particularly valuable during the holiday season, when cinema attendance often includes multi-generational groups with diverse viewing preferences.

Holiday Programming Strategy Pays Off

The pre-Christmas period is one of the most critical windows on the theatrical calendar, and AMC’s programming strategy appears to have paid off. By offering a balanced mix of tentpole blockbusters, animated family fare, and adult-oriented titles, the company ensured strong utilization across its screens throughout the weekend.

This programming depth also helped maintain consistent attendance across multiple days, rather than concentrating traffic around a single release or time slot. As a result, AMC was able to maximize concession sales, premium format utilization, and overall per-patron revenue—key performance indicators for exhibitors during high-volume periods.

Premium Formats Drive Engagement and Revenue

AMC’s results further validate its long-term strategy of expanding premium large-format offerings. The popularity of IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 3D screenings for Avatar: Fire & Ash highlights how premium experiences enhance the perceived value of theatrical attendance.

Premium formats typically command higher ticket prices and often come with upgraded amenities, including immersive sound systems, superior projection quality, and enhanced seating. For blockbuster releases designed to be experienced at scale, these formats can significantly elevate audience satisfaction while also improving margins for exhibitors.

AMC’s leadership has consistently emphasized that premium experiences are central to the future of moviegoing, and the latest holiday results suggest that audiences agree.

Value-Oriented Offers Continue to Attract Audiences

Alongside its premium strategy, AMC continues to emphasize value-driven offerings designed to encourage frequent visits and broaden accessibility. Programs such as the AMC Popcorn Pass, discounted ticket days, and subscription-based moviegoing options provide incentives for customers to return to theatres more often.

These value propositions are especially effective during holiday periods, when families and groups are seeking entertainment options that balance cost and experience. By offering both high-end premium screenings and budget-friendly alternatives, AMC can serve a wide range of consumer preferences without diluting its brand or experience quality.

Leadership Perspective on the Holiday Success

AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron characterized the weekend’s performance as a positive sign not only for AMC but for the theatrical industry as a whole. He described the results as “a wonderful gift to movie theatres and moviegoers during the holiday season,” pointing to the combination of blockbuster appeal, strong supporting titles, and premium format demand as key drivers of success.

Aron has long advocated for the resilience and cultural importance of theatrical exhibition, and the pre-Christmas results reinforce his view that moviegoing remains a compelling form of entertainment when supported by the right content and experiences.

Signals of Renewed Momentum for Theatrical Exhibition

The strong turnout across AMC and ODEON locations suggests that audiences continue to value the communal, immersive nature of cinema, particularly for major releases. Despite ongoing competition from streaming platforms and at-home entertainment options, theatrical exhibition retains a unique role in the entertainment ecosystem.

The holiday weekend performance indicates that when studios deliver compelling content and exhibitors provide high-quality viewing environments, moviegoers are willing to show up in large numbers—even amid shifting consumer habits.

International Performance Strengthens the Picture

AMC’s international footprint through ODEON Cinemas played a meaningful role in the weekend’s overall attendance figures. Strong international box office performance for Avatar: Fire & Ash and other titles reinforced the global appeal of theatrical releases and highlighted the importance of diversified geographic exposure for major exhibitors.

As global markets continue to recover at different paces, AMC’s ability to attract audiences across regions provides added resilience and growth potential.

Looking Ahead to the Remainder of the Holiday Season

With the pre-Christmas weekend delivering such strong results, AMC enters the remainder of the holiday season with positive momentum. Several anticipated releases are still scheduled to hit theatres before year-end and into early 2026, providing additional opportunities to sustain high attendance levels.

The company’s performance during this key window may also influence studio release strategies, encouraging continued investment in theatrical-first or theatrical-exclusive distribution models for major titles.

Long-Term Implications for AMC and the Industry

AMC’s biggest pre-Christmas weekend since 2021 carries broader implications for the exhibition industry. It demonstrates that, despite challenges, theatrical moviegoing remains a powerful and scalable entertainment model when supported by strong content, premium experiences, and strategic pricing.

For AMC, the results reinforce confidence in its long-term strategy, which balances innovation, customer experience, and operational efficiency. For the industry, the weekend serves as a reminder that cinema remains a cornerstone of global entertainment culture.

Conclusion

AMC Entertainment’s achievement of its largest pre-Christmas holiday weekend since 2021, drawing more than 4 million moviegoers, marks a significant moment for both the company and the broader theatrical landscape. Fueled by the blockbuster debut of Avatar: Fire & Ash, strong supporting releases, and robust demand for premium formats, the weekend showcased the enduring appeal of the big-screen experience.

As AMC and ODEON continue through the holiday season and prepare for the year ahead, the strong turnout provides optimism that theatrical exhibition remains vibrant, relevant, and capable of delivering memorable experiences to audiences worldwide.

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