Key Takeaways
- AMC Theatres and ODEON Cinemas welcomed more than 25.5 million moviegoers in May 2026, the highest May attendance since 2019.
- The weekend of May 28‑31 2026 drew over 4.2 million guests (Thursday‑Sunday), underscoring sustained strong demand.
- BACKROOMS opened to a reported $81 million domestic gross, becoming the sixth film in the past ten weeks to exceed the $75 million opening‑weekend threshold.
- Other recent >$75 million openers include THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2, MICHAEL, THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, and PROJECT HAIL MARY.
- The film OBSESSION bucked the typical trend by increasing its domestic box‑office gross from the previous weekend for two consecutive weeks.
- AMC Chairman & CEO Adam Aron attributes the success to a diverse slate of well‑made, well‑marketed titles and expresses confidence in the upcoming summer lineup.
- Upcoming releases highlighted for the next five weekends: SCARY MOVIE, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, DISCLOSURE DAY, TOY STORY 5, SUPERGIRL, and MINIONS & MONSTERS (plus many additional titles).
AMC Entertainment reported a robust performance in May 2026, with total attendance reaching 25.5 million guests across its U.S. AMC Theatres and international ODEON Cinemas. This figure marks the largest May turnout since 2019, signaling a strong rebound in theater-going habits after several years of fluctuating attendance. The momentum continued into the final weekend of the month, when Thursday‑Sunday, May 28‑31, drew more than 4.2 million moviegoers, demonstrating consistent weekend‑to‑weekend interest in the theatrical experience.
A significant driver of this success was the box‑office performance of BACKROOMS, which debuted to an estimated $81 million domestically. This opening placed BACKROOMS as the sixth film in the preceding ten weeks to surpass the $75 million opening‑weekend benchmark, a rarity that underscores the current vitality of the domestic market. The other films achieving similar openings since March 20 include THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2, MICHAEL, THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, and PROJECT HAIL MARY. Collectively, these titles illustrate a mix of established franchises, legacy IP revivals, and fresh original concepts that resonated with audiences.
Beyond the typical opening‑weekend surge, the film OBSESSION exhibited an unusual upward trajectory, increasing its domestic gross from the prior weekend for two consecutive weeks. Such sustained growth is rare for wide releases and indicates strong word‑of‑mouth, effective marketing, or a niche appeal that kept theaters filled beyond the initial launch window.
AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron highlighted the broader implications of these results, noting that “Hollywood has been releasing well‑made and well‑marketed movies, and moviegoers have been pouring out in droves to enjoy the incomparable magic of the big‑screen experience.” He emphasized that the diverse film slate—combining beloved blockbusters with new intellectual property—was central to May’s achievement. Aron expressed optimism for the remainder of 2026, pointing to a robust pipeline of upcoming releases that should sustain high attendance levels.
Looking ahead, Aron singled out several high‑profile titles slated for the next five weekends: SCARY MOVIE and MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE (both opening June 5), DISCLOSURE DAY (June 12), TOY STORY 5 (June 19), SUPERGIRL (June 26), and MINIONS & MONSTERS (July 1). He noted that these, along with numerous other interesting films, will continue to fill AMC’s approximately 855 theatres and 9,640 screens worldwide. The company’s ongoing investments—such as power‑recliner seating, expanded food‑and‑beverage offerings, loyalty and subscription programs, and premium large‑format formats—are designed to enhance the guest experience and encourage repeat visits.
In summary, AMC’s May 2026 performance reflects a revitalized theatrical market driven by strong film offerings, effective exhibition enhancements, and enthusiastic audience participation. The combination of record‑setting attendance, multiple high‑grossing openings, and a promising summer slate positions the company favorably for continued success through the rest of the year.
