NEW YORK, June 1, 2026, 17:02 EDT
AMC Entertainment (AMC) surged 22% to $2.12 on Monday as over 116 million shares traded. The theater chain posted its biggest May crowds since before the pandemic. The stock move stood out in a sluggish session, with investors watching to see if a stronger list of films this summer can bring in the cash AMC needs as it carries debt.
The NYSE had finished its normal trading before deadline. The main session is open 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern. June 1 was a scheduled open day in 2026, not a holiday.
AMC said 25.5 million people went to its U.S. AMC Theatres and international ODEON Cinemas in May. That is its best attendance for May since 2019. Over 4.2 million showed up from Thursday to Sunday, May 28-31, helped by “Backrooms,” which AMC said started with $81 million in domestic ticket sales, according to media. AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
Attendance matters now since it’s the one thing investors can track right away. AMC still has to deliver bigger box office weeks to prove the larger crowds aren’t just a short streak from summer movies.
AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron linked the performance to a wider lineup, saying the movies gave “great confidence” for the rest of 2026. AMC also listed June titles like “Scary Movie,” “Masters of the Universe,” “Toy Story 5,” “Supergirl,” and “Minions & Monsters.” AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
Box office numbers over the weekend gave some support to bulls. A24’s horror release “Backrooms” took in $81.5 million from U.S. and Canadian theaters in its first three days, according to the Associated Press, citing estimates from studios and Comscore. “Obsession” picked up another $26.4 million in its third weekend, putting it ahead of Disney’s “The Mandalorian and Grogu.” Paul Dergarabedian, who heads marketplace trends at Comscore, told AP this wave of creator-led horror “may be it” for pulling audiences back into theaters. AP News
Cinemark posted record domestic May box office and food-and-drink sales per guest on Monday, echoing peers. CEO Sean Gamble pointed to a “healthy, well-balanced release cadence.” Cinemark shares jumped nearly 11% to $31.03. IMAX was up about 2% at $40.49. Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
Stocks were higher, though without much excitement. The Dow inched up 0.09%, the S&P 500 was up 0.26% and the Nasdaq finished 0.42% stronger, according to Reuters. Tech names took the lead, while investors kept an eye on what’s happening between the U.S. and Iran.
AMC’s shaky balance sheet still hangs over the stock. The company posted a net loss of $117.1 million for the first quarter, according to its latest SEC filing. Cash and cash equivalents stood at $339.2 million. Borrowings totaled about $4.02 billion. AMC warned that its current rate of cash burn isn’t sustainable for the long term.
AMC warned about dilution as a risk. The company disclosed it brought in $7.0 million between April 1 and May 4 by selling 6.8 million shares in its at-the-market program. That setup lets AMC sell new stock directly into the public market, and the company reported it still had $78.3 million left in possible common stock offerings under the program. Selling more stock can help AMC bring in cash, but it also means investors split ownership over a bigger number of shares.
Traders continue to chase momentum. The focus is shifting to June to see if attendance stays strong after the Memorial Day pop and new horror releases, or if AMC’s debt load and any potential share sale put the narrative back on financial pressure.
