John Brown
Member
AMC Entertainment enjoyed its biggest pre-Christmas holiday weekend since 2021, as more than 4 million moviegoers visited AMC Theaters 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 US AMC locations.
Holiday Box Office Showing Depth Across Multiple Titles
In addition to the Avatar opening, the weekend's success reflected notable depth across several films. For the first time in 2025, the domestic box office saw five different movies each generate at least $14 million in estimated weekend earnings. Titles contributing to this milestone included David, The Housemaid, The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants and the holdover Zootopia 2.
This breadth of strong performance gave AMC and ODEON a full holiday lineup, appealing to a wide range of audiences and helping drive robust attendance across screens and formats.
Strategic Appeal of Premium Formats and Value Offerings
AMC's investment in premium large-format and immersive experiences appears to be paying dividends. Formats such as IMAX 3D and Dolby Cinema 3D were particularly popular for Avatar: Fire & Ash, illustrating how enhanced viewing experiences can boost both attendance and revenue especially during major holiday releases.AMC also continues to push value-oriented options, such as the AMC Popcorn Pass and discounted ticket days, which provide additional incentives for moviegoers to return to theaters during seasonal peaks.
Industry and Company Leadership Perspective
AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron described the weekend as “a wonderful gift to movie theaters and moviegoers during the holiday season,” noting the strong performances across multiple films and the appeal of premium formats as key drivers in delivering a compelling theatrical experience.The result underscores ongoing demand for big-screen entertainment and highlights how marquee titles and diverse programming can draw audiences at scale during key calendar windows.
Looking Ahead
As AMC and ODEON wrap up the holiday period, the company's ability to attract millions of moviegoers across geographies signals continued relevance for theatrical exhibition amid evolving consumer behaviors. With several anticipated releases still to come through the end of the year and into 2026, AMC's holiday success sets a positive tone for future box office momentum.Discover RevTech News for the latest updates on financial innovation and revenue-driven technology.
Read related news - https://revtech-news.com/ubicquia-appoints-matthew-brady-as-chief-revenue-officer/