Some significant changes are coming to AMC Theatres in 2022 after the mega-cinema chain struck a new deal with Warner Bros. According to reports, AMC Theatres and Warner Bros. have agreed to an exclusive, 45-day window in the new year.
AMC CEO Adam Aron announced the deal on Monday during an earnings call. “We’re especially pleased Warner Bros. has decided to move away from day-and-date,” Aron said. “We are in active dialogue with every major studio.”
This is bound to come as a major relief to AMC. Over the past year and change, movie houses have been forced to contend with the ongoing pandemic, an event that has been devastating for theater attendance overall. This new deal also comes after WarnerMedia decided to push its 2021 slate to a simultaneous release schedule via HBO Max and select theaters. During the recent call, Aron wasn't shy about admitting that Warner's decision to enact a dual release plan hurt theater owners. I believe the term he used was "not at all happy." Woof.
During today's call, Aron also announced AMC's plan to take over additional theater locations that once belonged to the Pacific Theaters/Arclight chain. AMC has already inked an agreement that gives them the lease for The Grove in Los Angeles and The Americana at Brand in Glendale. No other theaters were named at the time of the call, though moviegoers can expect more details to arrive before long.
It's been a strange and winding road to the cinema throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, to say the least. Given the amount of money lost, jobs in question, and theater closures across the world, it's easy to see why things need to change. Thankfully, it sounds like studios and cinemas are playing nice while searching for solutions. The road to recovery will be a long one for certain, though perhaps today's deal is just the start of something everyone can enjoy.