Giants of Exhibition 2020

IANTS
E
associated territories—brought in $11.4 billion in
The 2020
G›› IIt might not have been a record year,
GIANTS OF EXHIBITION
but few will complain that 2019 finished as the
second-highest-grossing year on record at the
domestic box office.
The North American market—constituting
all screens in the United States, Canada, and
a dramatic year marked by M&A across the distribution
and exhibition landscapes.
Marcus Theatres crossed the 1,000-screen
benchmark with its acquisition of Movie Tavern
from Southern Theatres, extending its influence
from the Midwest to 17 states nationwide.
Cinépolis’s U.S. presence increased with its own
acquisition of a dine-in chain, adding six locations
OF
XHIBITION
stand. The most high-profile acquisition of the year, however,
didn’t come until December. The announcement of Cineworld’s
intent to acquire Cineplex, Canada’s leading circuit, will have
a major impact on next year’s edition of this list. The deal is
expected to close in Q1 2020, so those results aren’t reflected
of Texas-based Moviehouse & Eatery to its growing
fleet of cinemas in the United States. European
giant Kinepolis, only a couple of years after domestic screen-count totals up to December 31, 2019.
in this year’s version of our Giants of Exhibition, which tallies
first entering North America with its acquisition
As the fevered M&A activity redefines the playing field for
of Landmark Cinemas of Canada, made headlines global distribution and exhibition, our research into this year’s
with its acquisition of MJR Digital Cinemas—its
Giants revealed another crucial portent of success for the coming
decade. The digital cinema revolution that ushered in the
first foray into the United States.
Meanwhile, Regal’s transformation under
2010s has given way to new viewing formats and amenities,
Cineworld introduced several changes to everything
from branding to subscription plans, and
up with the expectations of a demanding audience.
with circuits large and small investing time and money to keep
even extending to vendors at the concession
Circuit profiles begin on page 30
Our annual ranking of the largest exhibition circuits in the domestic market
presented by
our Signature sponsors
The leader in theater safety lighting
systems for over five decades
Delivering solutions that power
immersive cinema experiences
around the globe
The digital network for all things movies,
delivering movie information, ticketing, trailers,
home entertainment, and fan merchandise
Committed to creating a new visual standard
and moving the cinema industry forward
Dedicated to innovating the box office
through media, tech, and data
28 / FEBRUARY 2020
FEBRUARY 2020 / 29

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 5
#1
AMC ENTERTAINMENT
Leawood, Kan.
Founded ...........1920
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,043
Locations ........... 634
SPONSORPROFILE
Congratulations to the Giants
of Exhibition! You continue to
deliver new technology, amenities,
and services that make the moviegoing
experience second to none. We
are proud to be your partner for 20
years and counting!
Driving movie fans into your
theaters is our top priority. We
have built an ecosystem of digital
brands including
Fandango,
MovieTickets.
com, Flixster,
and Rotten Tomatoes
to help
fans discover
KEVIN SHEPELA
movies and buy
tickets anywhere,
any time, and on any device.
We have created ticketing experiences
for the largest online, mobile, and
social platforms, as well as emerging
technologies including A.I. and voice.
We’ve introduced multiple digital
wallets for fast and easy checkout,
including the recent introduction of
split payments through Venmo.
This year, we continue our mission
to inspire moviegoing and drive
advance ticketing for your theaters.
You continue to be amazing partners,
and we look forward to another
exciting year at the movies.
Kevin Shepela, EVP,
Chief Commercial Officer
›› Celebrating its centennial in 2020, AMC enters its second
century as the largest exhibition circuit in the United States. The last
five years have seen significant growth, both at home and abroad. Its
domestic acquisition of Carmike Cinemas in 2016 solidified its place
atop our Giants of Exhibition list, while foreign additions like Odeon
(2016) and Nordic Cinema Group (2017) pushed its reach to over
1,000 locations and 11, 000 screens worldwide. In 2019 the circuit
crossed the 900,000-subscriber mark for its Stubs A-List loyalty program,
which includes a popular subscription plan for frequent users.
The result has been an overwhelming success for AMC, which originally
envisioned hitting the 500,000 mark by the same point last year.
The Stubs loyalty program is also at the center of the circuit’s biggest
innovation of 2019, the launch of its very own home entertainment
streaming platform: AMC Theatres On Demand, the first of its kind
among U.S. exhibitors. Moviegoers now have the option of renting a
movie at home through AMC’s streaming channel, provided they are
members of its loyalty program. While the news of an exhibitor entering
the streaming space caught some of the industry’s trade press by surprise,
it is a strategy already adopted by the largest circuits in Canada
(Cineplex) and Mexico (Cinépolis). The extension into home entertainment
is a perfect example of how AMC has spread its points of contact
with U.S. consumers, an effort that includes programming initiatives
like AMC Artisan Films, meant to promote and highlight original and
non-franchise films.
30 / FEBRUARY 2020

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 5
#2
SPONSORPROFILE
On behalf of
Tivoli, we
would like to
congratulate
all the honored
companies
on this year’s
LARRY LIN
Giants of Exhibition
list! Your ability to elevate the
moviegoing experience while ensuring
patron safety is second to none.
As the trusted brand for theater
safety lighting, Tivoli will continue to
innovate and focus on the customer
experience while providing peace of
mind for both patrons and exhibitors
across the board. Our TivoBAR with
dual circuit capabilities and Eclipse
Wall’s glare-reduction baffle system
have managed to resolve long-standing
challenges without compromising
performance or design. We have no
doubt that both Tivoli and the honored
exhibitors on this year’s Giants
of Exhibition list will continue to
shape the landscape of the theater
experience for years to come.
Larry Lin, Vice President
REGAL CINEMAS
Knoxville, Tenn.
Founded ...........1989
Screens: .......... 7,178
Locations: ..........546
›› Acquired by the U.K.’s Cineworld circuit in 2018, Regal Cinemas
continued to pursue initiatives adopted by its giant parent company.
In July 2019, Regal embraced the in-house subscription trend with the debut
of its “Unlimited” offering. Sharing a name with Cineworld’s subscription
plan, Regal’s offer was customized for the U.S. market. The plan is available
in three tiers: Unlimited, priced at $18/month and available at 200 locations;
Unlimited Plus at $21/month and available at 400 locations; and Unlimited
All Access at $23.50/month, which is honored at over 550 locations nationwide.
Additional surcharges apply to premium auditoriums like RPX (Regal’s
private-label PLF), Imax, 4DX motion and effects seating, and ScreenX
panoramic screens. There is no cap on the number of standard-format movies
customers can attend each month, nor blackout dates for new releases. The
plan also includes a 10 percent discount on all concessions and nonalcoholic
beverages. Regal previously had a partnership with Atom Tickets.
This past year, Regal also opened eight new 4DX screens and six new
ScreenX screens from technology provider CJ 4DPLEX. “The feedback we are
receiving from moviegoers has been enormously positive, and as the only major
exhibition partner where movie fans can enjoy these immersive experiences, we
look forward to rapidly growing the number of 4DX and ScreenX locations at
Regal in the years to come,” said Regal chief marketing officer Ken Thewes.
32 / FEBRUARY 2020

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 5
›› 2019 was a year of continued
growth for Cinemark, as the Texasbased
chain continued to benefit from
its investment in premium large-format
luxury recliners, food and beverage,
and the subscription model.
The chain entered 2018 with its
Cinemark Movie Club subscription
program, then several weeks old,
boasting more than 500,000 active
members; as of the end of Q3 2019,
that number had expanded to 850,000,
with Cinemark Movie Club subscribers
accounting for approximately 15
percent of that quarter’s box office.
Movie Club members visit a Cinemark
theater three times more often than
nonmembers, per data provided by
the circuit, and are twice as likely
as nonmembers to upgrade to the
exhibitor’s premium large-format
Cinemark XD offering.
Globally, Cinemark boasts 15
Imax screens, an increase from last
year; in March of 2019, Cinemark
renewed its 20-year partnership with
the PLF provider. In December,
Cinemark inked an exclusive 10-year
agreement with Cinonic, under which
Barco Series 4 laser projectors will
be installed at more than 6,000 of its
screens worldwide.
In-theater premium amenities
remain a priority for Cinemark; as
of the end of Q3 2019, 58 percent of
Cinemark’s U.S. theaters boasted its
proprietary Luxury Loungers recliner
seats. In an investor earnings call, CEO
Mark Zoradi noted that he expected
that number to increase to 60 percent
by the end of the year, representing
“the highest recliner penetration
among major players.”
The third quarter of 2019 also
represented the 51st consecutive
quarter of growth in per-patron F&B
spend. Also, on the F&B front, 2019
saw Cinemark launch its CUT! by
Cinemark brand of dine-in theaters.
The first CUT! by Cinemark location
is currently in operation in Frisco,
Texas, with another planned for
summer 2020.
#3
SPONSORPROFILE
CINEMARK USA
Plano, Tex.
Founded ........... 1984
Screens: .......... 4,630
Locations: ..........344
In Cinema, when we come together, we are giants.
Congratulations to the industry for a strong
year and to the companies recognized for their
contribution from all of us at Cinionic. Looking
back, 2019 was a year of milestones for us all: at
the box office, in the moviegoer experience, and
with the accelerated adoption of differentiating
WIM BUYENS
technology solutions. We saw the beginning of the
renewal wave and a clear preference for laser as the de facto standard
for a new generation of exhibition.
Cinema is growing, and companies like those listed here evidence
it. It is our privilege to support, collaborate with, and work alongside
other companies equally committed and devoted to the movies.
Through our shared passion, we deliver experiences that illuminate
and excite around the world.
Looking forward, 2020 is the year of laser experiences, delivered.
In a continually changing market, we are proud to help the industry
to innovate through solutions and services designed for cinema today,
and tomorrow. Here’s to another giant year, together.
Wim Buyens, CEO
better.
brighter.
laser.
find your ideal laser solution
From stunning images to longer lifetime and lower
maintenance: there are many reasons to swap your lamp
projectors for laser. Cinionic o ffers multiple ways to introduce
laser into your theater. Interested in the power of laser?
Read why laser is replacing lamps all over the globe and
take the test to find out which Cinionic solution best
fits your needs. Go to pages.cinionic.com/bulbfiction
34 / FEBRUARY 2020

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 5
SPONSORPROFILE
Congratulations to all of this
year’s Giants of Exhibition!
There’s a common thread
among all of you on this list—you
strive to differentiate your properties
and add exciting features to
attract patrons to your theaters.
Investing in new technologies like
immersive sound, luxury recliner
seating, and technologies that enable
creative
use of the
cinema helps
to grow the
bottom line
that fuels
investment,
which is,
JOE PHAM
after all, why
you’re among the “Giants.”
Visionary exhibitors like you
know that it’s not just about the
movies. With so many entertainment
options and ways to
consume content, it’s important
to expand the possibilities of the
cinema complex to successfully
compel people out of their homes.
You recognize that today’s cinema
complex is an entertainment
complex and also a venue for
business meetings, parties, and
other events.
For over 50 years, QSC has
taken pride in this same legacy of
innovation and quality. We’re also
proud to be among your technology
partners. We stand on your
shoulders to envision and deliver
your technology needs for sound,
image, and control, and thank you
for letting us play a role in your
achievement of this honor to be
among the Giants of Exhibition.
Joe Pham, President & CEO
#4
CINEPLEX
ENTERTAINMENT
Toronto, Ont.
Founded ........... 2003
Screens: ...........1,695
Locations: ........... 165
›› In what might be remembered as the biggest exhibition story
of 2019, Cineplex became the third domestic top 5 circuit to be acquired
by another major since 2016. U.K.-based Cineworld had already
made major headlines in December 2017 with its acquisition of Regal.
It doubled down on that strategy two years later with the announcement
of its intent to acquire Cineplex, Canada’s leading circuit and
the fourth-largest in the domestic market. Once the acquisition closes
(expected in Q1 2020), Cineworld will become the largest circuit in
the North American market through its stewardship of the Cineplex
and Regal brands.
Cineplex had already established itself as the dominant player in
Canadian exhibition by the time Cineworld came into the picture.
According to the company’s Q3 investor presentation, Cineplex
claimed 75 percent of the market share in Canada’s box office through
September 2019. Over 40 percent of the circuit’s revenue in the same
period came from premium experiences such as premium large format
(Imax, ScreenX, and its in-house UltraAVX), immersive seating (4DX
and D-Box), and VIP auditoriums.
At the concession stand, Cineplex has seen continued growth in
food and beverage revenues since 2011, reaching a peak of $441 million
(Canadian) in 2018. Its concessions per patron rate nearly doubled in the
10-year span between 2008 and 2018, going from $3.96 per patron to
$6.36. An expanded concessions menu has been a key part of that growth,
with fare such as pizza, poutine, and wraps available at select locations.
grow
make
customers happy
your business
©2020 QSC, LLC all rights reserved. QSC, Q-SYS and the QSC logo are registered trademarks in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office and other countries. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
36 / FEBRUARY 2020

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 5
MARCUS THEATRES
Milwaukee, Wis.
Founded ........... 1935
Screens: ...........1,106
Locations: ............ 91
#5
The Boxoffice Company
congratulates the Giants of
Exhibition! Your brilliant minds
›› In February 2019, The Marcus
Corporation closed its acquisition of
dine-in cinema circuit Movie Tavern
from VSS-Southern Theatres. The deal
grew the Marcus Theatres division by
23 percent, adding 208 screens across
22 locations in Arkansas, Colorado,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York,
Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. Movie
Tavern was rebranded “Movie Tavern
by Marcus.” The deal saw Marcus finish
the decade above the 1,000-screen mark,
growing its presence beyond the Midwest
to the broader national market.
Following the acquisition, Marcus
earmarked 15 of the 22 Movie Tavern
sites for new amenities or plans for
further upgrades. Eleven Movie Tavern
auditoriums were converted into the
circuit’s SuperScreen DLX private-label
PLF offering, which includes Marcus’s
branded DreamLounger recliners and
Dolby Atmos immersive audio. The
company also added 10 more Super-
Screen auditoriums. The Movie Tavern
locations also adopted Marcus’s Magical
Movie Rewards customer loyalty
program, which already hosts over 3.8
million members. Loyalty members have
access to a series of different discounts,
including the company’s famous $5
Movie Tuesday promotion, $6 matinees,
and $6 student tickets on Thursdays.
Theater upgrades have occurred circuit-wide.
Marcus counts recliner seating
in three-quarters of all its screens
and hosts a PLF auditorium at 69 percent
of its theaters. On the digital side,
Marcus made upgrades to its pointof-sale
system, mobile app, and online
ticketing engine in 2019. The circuit
has at least one new opening planned
for 2020, scheduled for the latter half of
the year in Tacoma, Washington.
SPONSORPROFILE
On behalf of our team at The Boxoffice
Company, we would like
to congratulate the circuits featured
on this year’s Giants of Exhibition
list. Another amazing year at the box
office is a reflection of the hard work and investment
from these exhibitors, who have helped
modernize the moviegoing experience for today’s STAN RUSZKOWSKI
audiences. That’s also a key part of our core mission
at The Boxoffice Company: helping cinemas better reach and engage
with audiences through our showtimes data, websites, mobile apps,
and marketing services. As our industry continues to excel, The Boxoffice
Company is proud to be a partner of many of the exhibitors on this
list and the many more who contribute to the diversity of the global
cinema business. In conjunction with our colleagues at Boxoffice Pro,
we look forward to another exciting and successful year in 2020.
Stan Ruszkowski, President
and efforts are breaking
boundaries and propelling
the box office forward.
Cheers to 2020!
THE
COMPANY
38 / FEBRUARY 2020
W E B EDIA GROUP

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 6–15
›› 2018 was a year of growth for Harkins Theatres, the
largest privately owned circuit in the United States, and
2019 has proven no different. The company announced a
new $32 million headquarters and retail campus, which will
nearly triple the size of the chain’s current space. The new
development is planned to open later this year.
As the company moves into new digs in its home state
of Arizona, it will also open a new multiplex in Northglenn,
Colorado, and in Laveen, Arizona. Both theaters will feature
a CINÉ1 PLF auditorium with Dolby Atmos sound and
Ultimate Lounger recliners.
On the personnel side, in 2019 Harkins Theatres named
executive vice president Tyler Cooper, who has worked for
Harkins for two decades, its new CFO. Greta Newell, who
has been with Harkins for 26 years, assumed the role of
treasurer and vice president.
#6
HARKINS THEATRES
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Founded ........... 1933
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 515
Locations: ........... 34
#8
CMX CINEMAS
Miami, Fla.
Founded ........... 2016
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 410
Locations ............ 40
›› A subsidiary of Mexican circuit Cinemex, CMX Cinemas became one of
the 10 biggest circuits in the North American market shortly after opening its
first U.S. cinema in April 2017. The December 2017 acquisition of Cobb Theatres
propelled CMX into the top 10 of our Giants of Exhibition list in 2018—and the
company isn’t done growing. CMX has plans to open several new locations in
2020, including new sites in Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, New
Jersey, and North Carolina. CMX has introduced several concepts throughout
its U.S. circuit, including luxury dine-in cinemas, expanded menu grab-and-go
concessions concepts, and lobby sports bars.
#8
›› An exciting year for B&B Theatres, 2019 saw the
opening of additional locations and the expansion of innovative
concepts throughout the circuit. Tech deals with
panoramic screen provider ScreenX and immersive seating
technology MX4D will bring more upgraded theaters
to patrons nationwide, while expanded menus and alcohol
service continues to spread across select locations.
B&B Theatres has also begun expanding its screenPLAY!
concept, which fuses design elements of a family play
area with a premium cinema auditorium. The investment
in new cinemas and renovated locations reflects the circuit’s
ambitions of becoming a state-of-the-art circuit for
audiences across the seven U.S. states it serves. Locations
in Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina,
and Texas suggest that B&B could easily go from a
regional circuit to a national one in the coming decade.
#7
B&B THEATRES
Kansas City, Mo.
Founded ........... 1924
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 418
Locations ............ 48
›› 2020 marks the 105th year in
operation for Malco Theatres, and the
Memphis-based chain is still growing. Over
the last year the chain introduced its own
premium large-format brand, called MXT “Extreme”
Cinema. A new theater in Memphis,
the Powerhouse Cinema Grill, was the first
theater to host an MXT screen. Some months
later, the newly renovated Collierville Cinema
Grill in Tennessee and Kentucky’s Owensboro
Cinema Grill—which opened in the
summer—got their own MXT auditoriums.
Malco locations in Jonesboro, Arkansas,
and Madison, Mississippi, were also upgraded;
renovations at the latter theater, the
Grandview Cinema, gave Mississippi its first
Imax screen.
A chain with a long history, Malco has
been a family business since its founding;
that tradition was maintained this year when
David Tashie, great-grandson of original
founder M.A. Lightman Sr., was promoted to
the position of president and COO.
#9
MALCO THEATRES INC.
Memphis, Tenn.
Founded ........... 1915
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 363
Locations ............ 35
FEBRUARY 2020 / 41

NATIONAL AMUSEMENTS
(SHOWCASE CINEMAS)
Norwood, Mass.
Founded . .......... 1936
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Locations ............ 27
#11
STUDIO MOVIE GRILL
Dallas, Tex.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Locations ............ 34
2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 6–15
#10
›› National Amusements’ U.S. presence with Showcase Cinemas underwent
a series of transformations in 2019. Theater upgrades included
the expansion of recliner seating to additional locations, while communal
spaces like lobbies and concession stands were similarly revitalized with
modern and sleek finishes. At the same time, the circuit’s focus on expanded
food and beverage menus has contributed to a new moviegoing experience
for its patrons. A free-to-join loyalty program, Starpass, offers easily
accessible rewards tiers and significant savings for members. Showcase
was one of the first U.S. circuits to adopt an in-house subscription program;
Showcase Subscribe starts at $11.95 per month for up to two films
each month. 2020 should bring additional updates throughout its circuit—
both at individual locations and to its digital presence on the web.
›› Studio Movie Grill (SMG) announced an ambitious plan to expand its circuit
in 2019, expanding the dine-in-cinema concept it helped pioneer to audiences nationwide.
Known across the industry for its focus on charitable efforts and giving
back to its local communities, SMG proudly features programs such as Special
Needs Screenings, a Chefs for Children program, and a Movies+Meals initiative
that helps underserved children and adults in need in its local communities. An
early supporter of cinema subscription plans, the circuit also expanded its SMG
Access plan in 2019. SMG’s approach to subscription is closely tied to its corporate
identity; members not only benefit from rewards and discount pricing, but also
help contribute to charity efforts with every cinema visit.
LANDMARK CINEMAS
OF CANADA
Calgary, Alb.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 322
Locations ............ 45
#12
›› Landmark Cinemas is the second-largest theater chain in
Canada, covering western Canada, Ontario, and the Yukon Territory.
Acquired by Belgium’s Kinepolis circuit in December 2017,
Landmark offers an array of special deals including Kids’ Sundays,
Senior Mondays, and Wednesday bargain “Movie Twosomes.” The
chain is also a national sponsor of The Walk So Kids Can Talk, which
supports the mental health and well-being of youth. Landmark has
begun expanding premium experiences across its circuit. The Marketplace,
a grab-and-go concessions concept, has helped diversify
its food and beverage offerings, while traditional upgrades like
PLF auditoriums and recliner seating have become more prevalent
throughout its theaters. The circuit’s newest location, in Southeast
Edmonton, is expected to open in summer 2020.
›› After opening in Brooklyn in 2016,
the Alamo Drafthouse crossed another
major urban hub off its bucket list in
2019. The Texas-based chain, known for
pairing first-run films with fan-friendly
retrospective screenings and a full food
and beverage menu, opened its first L.A.
location in July. The milestone cinema for
the company wasn’t its only new build to
debut in 2019; another location opened in
Westminster, Colorado, and Drafthouse
already has its second New York theater
in the works. In 2019, the chain also expanded
the beta release of its subscription
program, Season Pass, to loyalty
card members in a handful of key markets.
Alamo Drafthouse enters the new
decade as one of the best established
brands in exhibition.
#13
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE
Austin, Tex.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Locations ............ 41
FEBRUARY 2020 / 43

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 6–15
TOP 16–25 / 2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION
›› Staying true to its roots as an entertainment
destination, Premiere Cinema Corp. is
tackling competition from home entertainment
by providing patrons with unique experiences
at its locations. The circuit opened its first
Premiere Lux Cine, Bowl & Pizza Pub in Pell City,
Alabama, in January 2019. The complex features
800 power-recliner seats, a bowling alley, a
ropes course, an arcade, and a gourmet kitchen.
New Lux Cine & Pizza Pub locations followed
this past fall in Birmingham, Alabama, and
Plant City, Florida. The circuit is one of several
major circuits at the forefront of the cinema
entertainment center trend. These complexes
are known for incorporating different out-ofhome
concepts and expanded food and beverage
menus into the moviegoing experience,
creating an ultimate entertainment destination
for patrons. Premiere has theaters in Texas,
Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, and
South Carolina.
#15
CARIBBEAN CINEMAS
San Juan, P.R.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Locations ............ 34
#14
PREMIERE CINEMA
CORP.
Big Spring, Tex.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Locations ............ 28
›› Puerto Rico’s leading cinema chain,
Caribbean Cinemas operates throughout
the Caribbean region, with additional
locations in the Dominican Republic, St.
Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia,
Antigua, Aruba, and Trinidad. In 2017, the
circuit’s management was undeterred by
the challenges presented in the aftermath
of Hurricane Maria, working tirelessly with
local staff to keep cinemas open as much
as possible as Puerto Rico recovered
from the storm. Caribbean’s
role in supporting local
communities during the
recovery will hardly
be forgotten in the
coming years.
›› Founded in 1930 with a single
screen in downtown Grand Rapids,
Michigan, Goodrich Quality Theaters
has expanded to Indiana, Illinois,
Florida, and Missouri. The all-digital
circuit includes five Imax theaters
and five GDX premium locations
with Dolby Atmos sound. Goodrich
also offers Screen Taps bars in 13
of its locations, serving mozzarella
#16
sticks, chicken tenders, fried mac and cheese bites, beer, wine,
daiquiris, and margaritas.
›› The U.S. division of the
giant Mexican circuit Cinépolis,
Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
opened its first location in Del
Mar, California, in 2011 and now
also operates in Florida, New
York, New Jersey, Connecticut,
Texas, Ohio, and Maryland. Select
locations include kid-friendly
Cinépolis Jr. auditoriums and 4DX
#18 (TIE)
GOODRICH
QUALITY THEATERS
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Screens: ............ 281
Locations ............ 30
motion and effects theaters. Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
acquired Moviehouse & Eatery’s six theaters in July 2019.
›› Operated by private equity
firm Veronis Suhler Stevenson
(VSS), Southern Theatres
encompasses the Grand Theatres
and AmStar Cinemas brands; Movie
SOUTHERN
THEATRES
New Orleans, La.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 266
Location ............. 18
Tavern, previously a part of Southern Theatres, was officially
acquired by The Marcus Corporation in February 2019. A former
Grand Theatres location was reopened in December 2019 as the
Amstar Cinemas 18 Four Seasons Station; the newly renovated
location features a Grand Premium Experience premium largeformat
auditorium.
CINÉPOLIS
LUXURY CINEMAS
Dallas, Tex.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Locations ............ 28
#17
44 / FEBRUARY 2020
FEBRUARY 2020 / 45

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 16–25
#18 (TIE)
GEORGIA
THEATRE COMPANY
›› The fourth-generation, family-owned
circuit Georgia Theatre Compa-
St. Simons Island, Ga.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
ny (GTC) launched a new mobile app in
Locations ............ 25
2019. The app is part of a digital strategy
looking to maximize ticketing sales on
its own platform, which includes a new ticketing capability on its
website. Recent GTC innovations include a loyalty program (Reel
Rewards), its own premium large-format auditoriums (GTX), and an
expanded food and beverage menu (Outtakes Kitchen & Bar).
LANDMARK THEATRES
Los Angeles, Calif.
›› Just before the ball
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
dropped on 2019, the industry
Locations ............ 51
learned that Landmark Theatres would
be acquired by independent film producer
and distributor Cohen Media Group. Over the subsequent
year, Landmark found a new president and COO in exhibition
veteran Paul Serwitz, who for 17 years served as the vice president
of film at Regal.
#22
#18 (TIE)
NEIGHBORHOOD
CINEMA GROUP (NCG)
Owosso, Mich.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263
Locations ............ 27
›› Neighborhood Cinema
Group (NCG)—which was
founded in Michigan and has
since expanded to Illinois,
Indiana, and states throughout
the Southeast—opened its first theater in New York
state in 2019, renovating and reopening what used to
be a Regal location in the town of Kingston. 2019 also
saw NCG partner with Atom Tickets to sell digital tickets
on the Atom platform.
›› Michigan-based Emagine Entertainment continued to
bring luxury theatrical amenities to Midwest audiences throughout
2019. In December, the chain opened the region’s largest CinemaScope
screen—branded as Super Emax—in its Canton Township location in time for the
release of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. Recent investments in upgrading the
theatrical experience have also included recliner seating, expanded concessions menus,
reserved seating, dine-in service, and even valet parking at select locations.
#21
EMAGINE
ENTERTAINMENT
Troy, Mich.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254
Locations ............ 21
›› Reading Cinemas International
operates in the U.S., Australia,
and New Zealand; in the U.S.,
its brands include Reading Cinemas,
Consolidated Theatres, Angelika Film
Centers, and City Cinemas. Reading
expanded its premium screen, luxury
recliner seating, and food and beverage
options in 2019 and plans to continue
doing so over the coming years.
#24
# 23
›› Pacific/Arclight continued
to service California— ARCLIGHT CINEMAS
PACIFIC THEATRES /
as well as Chicago, Boston,
Los Angeles, Calif.
and the D.C. area—in 2019. In February,
Arclight’s Cinerama Dome Locations ............ 17
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
was updated with dual-head
Christie 6P laser projectors and
Dolby 3-D, pairing cutting-edge
technology with one of America’s most historic theaters.
›› In 2019
Bow Tie Cinemas
embarked on major
renovations of its two
locations in Stamford, Connecticut. The
Connecticut-based chain also announced
#25
READING CINEMAS
INTERNATIONAL
Culver City, Calif.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Locations ............ 24
BOW TIE CINEMAS
Ridgefield, Conn.
Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Locations ............ 32
its development with The Ashforth Company of the Bow Tie Cinemas
Ultimate complex, set to include a full bar and restaurant menu and
luxury recliner seating in all auditoriums.
46 / FEBRUARY 2020
FEBRUARY 2020 / 47

2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION / TOP 26–50
MOVIE MOMENTS / 2020 GIANTS OF EXHIBITION
26. NEW VISION THEATRES
Stratford, Conn.
Screens: 205
Locations: 19
27. REGENCY THEATRES
Agoura Hills, Calif.
Screens: 196
Locations: 28
28. UNITED
ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
Maple Grove, Minn.
Screens: 191
Locations: 22
29. LARRY H. MILLER THEATRES
(MEGAPLEX THEATRES)
Sandy, Utah
Screens: 182
Locations: 16
30. MARQUEE CINEMAS
Beckley, W.Va.
Screens: 175
Location: 17
31. GALAXY THEATRES
Sherman Oaks, Calif.
Screens: 171
Locations: 15
32. CINEMA WEST
Petaluma, Calif.
Screens: 168
Locations: 17
33. MJR DIGITAL CINEMAS
Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Screens: 164
Locations: 10
34. CELEBRATION CINEMA
BY STUDIO C
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Screens: 163
Locations: 12
35. (TIE) CINEMA
ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
Waite Park, Minn.
Screens: 160
Locations: 20
35. (TIE) FLAGSHIP
PREMIUM CINEMAS
Cambridge, Mass.
Screens: 160
Locations: 20
37. COMING ATTRACTIONS
THEATRES
Ashland, Ore.
Screens: 153
Locations: 18
38. EPIC THEATRES
Deltona, Fla.
Screens: 144
Locations: 12
39. CINÉMAS GUZZO
Terrebonne, Que.
Screens: 133
Locations: 9
40. CLASSIC CINEMAS
Downers Grove, Ill.
Screens: 121
Locations: 15
41. R/C THEATRES
Reisterstown, Md.
Screens: 119
Locations: 13
42. IPIC ENTERTAINMENT
Boca Raton, Fla.
Screens: 117
Locations: 15
43. (TIE) ALLEN THEATRES
Las Cruces, N.M.
Screens: 116
Locations: 17
43. (TIE) PHOENIX THEATRES
Knoxville, Tenn.
Screens: 116
Locations: 13
45. SANTIKOS ENTERTAINMENT
San Antonio, Tex.
Screens: 115
Locations: 9
46. XSCAPE THEATRES
New Albany, Ind.
Screens: 108
Locations: 8
47. MITCHELL THEATRES
Elkhart, Kan.
Screens: 107
Locations: 15
48. SOUTHEAST
CINEMA ENTERTAINMENT
Charlotte, N.C.
Screens: 104
Locations: 9
49. SHOWBIZ CINEMAS
Dallas, Tex.
Screens: 99
Locations: 10
50. R.L. FRIDLEY THEATRES
Des Moines, Iowa
Screens: 98
Locations: 19
EXHIBITORS
HAVE THEIR SAY
Memorable Moviegoing Moments of 2019
My favorite movie moment of the year was unveiling the new
name of our flagship theater in Austin to forevermore be known as
the Bong Joon Ho Cinema. Parasite is my favorite film of the year,
an extraordinary modern masterpiece. And to watch director Bong
receive so much praise and have a real shot at the Academy Award
for Best Picture is unbelievable
for a foreign-language film. This
film inspires me with optimism
for the future of cinema. My
second-favorite experience was
simply letting Uncut Gems wash
over me at the Toronto Film
Festival premiere. That screening
was the most tense, most intense white-knuckle cinematic
experience I’ve ever had. I adore that film! We also got the opportunity
to open Uncut Gems on the break in New York this year
and ended up with the number one gross, a major milestone for
Alamo. And for what it is worth, here are my top 10 movies of the
year: Parasite, Uncut Gems, Jojo Rabbit, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,
The Farewell, The Art of Self-Defense, Midsommar, Portrait of
a Lady on Fire, Marriage Story, and Dolemite Is My Name.
Tim League
Founder & CEO
Alamo Drafthouse
My favorite moviegoing moment of 2019 was Avengers:
Endgame. I watched it on our massive 70X40 B&B Grand
Screen with immersive DTS-X sound. On my right was my
lovely wife, Jennifer, and on
my left was my dad. Eleven
years of watching these
movies all had come down to
this one epic moment. It was
especially neat as this was at
our Liberty Flagship theater
that had just opened the
year before. My dad and I had been dreaming of the day we
could watch a movie of this magnitude on our own giant PLF
screen, and it was really neat to have it happen with Avengers:
Endgame. We spent years planning our flagship facility, and
Marvel spent years building to this epic conclusion. It was sort
of a culmination moment, one I won’t forget.
Brock Bagby
Executive Vice President
B&B Theatres
The incredible array of feelings and emotions that were
rolling through me like a freight train after watching Joker for the
first time at the Toronto Film Festival.
Joe Masher
Chief Operating Officer
Bow Tie Cinemas
Knives Out was the most
intelligent movie of 2019 and
offered the greatest social experience.
I won’t soon forget the
scene with Marta standing on
the balcony of Harlan’s “ancestral”
home, looking down at the
disinherited heirs in a reversal
of social standing. I was immediately reminded that those who
are successful should retain humility and the good guy (or gal
in this case) should win. This was the most cleverly put together
masterpiece I’ve seen in a long time. To top it all off, the movie
ended with the familiar sound of retracting reclining seats and an
applauding audience—two of the best reasons to go to a movie
theater and enjoy the experience.
Dave Corkill, CEO
Cinema West
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood:
heartwarming, kind
and a reminder to everyone we
are human. The film was both
funny and sad; it reminded me
why I love seeing a film on the
big screen in a packed audito-
48 / FEBRUARY 2020
FEBRUARY 2020 / 49

MEMORABLE MOVIEGOING MOMENTS
rium. We laughed and cried together, we shared an experience
with this film as a group of strangers, and we all walked out better
people. The film highlights how Mr. Rogers was a kind man
who changed the lives of people he touched. The film reminds
us that we are all human; we have pain but we can also choose to
be kind no matter what is going on in our lives.
Melissa Boudreau
Chief Marketing Officer
Emagine Entertainment
Unequivocally, the most breathtaking movie moment I
experienced in 2019 was the opening scene the first night of
Avengers: Endgame at my own local Flagship Cinemas. It was
a packed audience of diehard Marvel fans, and the moment
the dust first scattered on the screen, the gasps could be heard
skittering throughout the crowd. The tension and energy
bound us all together in the moment, and it was the beginning
of a shared experience that was absolutely amazing. It’s
a rare feeling to have created such solidarity in a community
of strangers, but that’s the strength and power of a great film
played in a movie theater. Nothing like it.
Janet Oprendek
VP Operations & Administration
Flagship Cinemas
Disney’s Aladdin and Lion
King provided wonderful
opportunities this year for
parents to bring their families
to movies they experienced on
the big screen when they were
young. Watching parents in
our theaters share that special experience with their children today,
creating memories that will last both generations a lifetime,
is what makes this industry so special.
A.J. Witherspoon
VP of Operations
Galaxy Theatres
My favorite 2019 moviegoing
memory was taking
my 6-year-old daughter to
see Jumanji: The Next Level
in a sold-out theater at GQT
Holland 7 during Christmas
break. Jumanji is a favorite at
our house, so naturally we were
super-excited for this sequel.
Reclined and relaxed with our buttered popcorn and peanut
M&Ms, we laughed out loud countless times! We love the shared
movie experience with tons of other families watching on the big
screen. You can’t beat Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart together.
My daughter is already asking to go again, and we look forward
to the next Jumanji.
Kelly Nash
Director of Marketing
Goodrich Quality Theatres
2019 was a great year for moviegoing, and it’s difficult to
choose just one favorite moment. For me, Knives Out was an
outstanding movie. Daniel Craig was a standout in an all-star
cast. I thoroughly enjoyed the film and look forward to many
more in the series. If I have to narrow the year down to one
outstanding moviegoing moment, it’s definitely Joaquin Phoenix
2019 was an incredible year for
fantastic films. The biggest standout
moment for me was the release of
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time
in Hollywood. To be able to provide
marketing support for one of my
favorite directors on their movie that
plays on a classic, horrifying event we all
know with an unexpected plot twist was
an amazing experience. Getting to see it
on the big screen was nothing short of
incredible!
Amanda Jo Sharp
Marketing Director
Allen Theatres
My favorite moviegoing moment of
2019 was watching the last 20 minutes
of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Since the beginning of the film, I was
expecting to see Tarantino’s interpretation
of the Sharon Tate assassination.
Therefore, suspense kept on building
for me for over two hours, and I could
see the same feeling with all the other
patrons in the theater when I looked
around. The end of the movie was
superb, but at the same time, it didn’t
deliver on my original expectation. I
was really troubled. Although I truly
loved the story, it wasn’t what I had
gone to see. It felt like Tarantino fooled
me while telling me a great story at the
same time. After the movie, I couldn’t
stop talking about it with my wife and
engaged in conversations with complete
strangers about it. Certainly a memorable
experience that can only happen in
a theater, where you share experiences
and feelings with total strangers who
are going through the same emotions
you are.
Eduardo Acuña
President
Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas
I’m watching Once Upon a Time in
Hollywood and loving the rich visuals,
witty dialogue, and throwback vibe—
truly masterful filmmaking. However,
as the end approaches, I’m getting
nervous: I know the history so I’m
tense and can feel the audience bracing
for the Manson Family massacre.
Then Tarantino flips the script, I am
caught up in the moment, just letting
it unfold. It was a true emotional roller
coaster ride that thankfully nobody
spoiled for me in advance. I walked out
of the theater amazed!
Chris Johnson, CEO
Classic Cinemas
My favorite movie of the year
was Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Tarantino has done it again with
another exceptional film. His adaptation
of history and the way he intertwines
real people into a fictional story
reminds me of another one of his great
films, Inglourious Basterds, in the most
positive way. Not only was the casting
and the acting phenomenal, the movie
had a nostalgic feel that brought back
personal memories from the 1960s and
1970s, when I would go to the movies
in Westwood. Bravo!
Dan Harkins, Owner
Harkins Theatres
There were a lot of good movies
in 2019, but my favorite movie quote
this year comes from Once Upon a
Time in Hollywood: “When you come
to the end of the line with a buddy
who is more than a brother and a little
less than a wife, getting blind drunk
together is really the only way to say
farewell.” The movie reminded me
of old-school Hollywood and how
things used to be. I, like many of our
customers, enjoy going back in time
with Flashback Cinema. We did really
well this year with The Big Lebowski
because it is so relevant to Showbiz
Cinemas Bowling, Movies and More
locations. Getting to relax in our oversized
leather recliners, with a White
Russian in hand, and take in the stateof-the-art
presentation in our packed
SDX auditorium was not only a ton of
fun but a true testament to the power
of the in-theater experience. We have
made so many amazing developments
in creating a more comfortable and
immersive experience for our customers
since I first saw the film in theaters
over 20 years ago. Wrapping up the
evening by bowling a few frames on
our boutique bowling lanes with family
and friends took this experience to
the next level.
Kevin Mitchell
President & CEO
ShowBiz Cinemas
50 / FEBRUARY 2020 FEBRUARY 2020 / 51

MEMORABLE MOVIEGOING MOMENTS
dancing down the stairs in Joker. His performance and the entire
movie was completely unexpected and amazing. I was thrilled
that audiences agreed. On-screen moments like this are what the
moviegoing experience is all about.
Mike Bowers
President & CEO, Harkins Theatres
If someone told me in the early 1960s, when I went to the
Casa Linda theater in Dallas every Saturday for a double feature,
that someone would pay me to watch movies when I grew up,
I would not have believed them. But it happened. The problem
is, I typically watch many movies twice. Once at the trade
screening and again with my
movie-fan wife. Even Cats.
This year my favorite movie
moment was getting to watch
the trade screening of Renée
Zellweger’s performance in
Judy with my wife, Judy. As
we experienced this wonderful
film together, we kept leaning into each other with, “Boy,
Renée is really good” and, “Are we watching an Oscar-nom
performance here?” That is the joy of moviegoing. I would be
remiss not to mention the ending of two seminal series this year:
Avengers: Endgame brought to a close the 21-film, 11-year Avengers
saga, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ended the core
group of nine films, which began in 1977. Both of these films
were markers in the nation’s social consciousness and brought
the geek out in my son and myself, giving us hours of fodder for
discussion.
Jeffrey Kaufman
SVP Film & Marketing, Malco Theatres
Last year was packed with top-notch action movies from the
beginning of the year to the end. With titles like Alita: Battle
Angel, Fast and Furious Presents Hobbs & Shaw, John Wick:
Chapter 3—Parabellum, and
Gemini Man, there was never
a dull moment. I can’t help
but think that the slate of
2019 action films was the
perfect prequel to a movie I’m
eagerly anticipating in 2020,
Top Gun: Maverick. After all,
the original Top Gun is one of my favorite movies of all time—a
combination of action, entertainment, friendship, and more,
coupled with incredible music. I feel the need … the need to see
the new Top Gun!
Rolando Rodriguez
Chairman, President & CEO, Marcus Theatres
The thing that made 2019 stand out for me is that it brought
together generations of movie fans, including my own family, to
52 / FEBRUARY 2020
celebrate story lines that, in some cases, are a decade or—in the
case of Star Wars—more than four decades in the making. Since
Megaplex Theatres was among a handful of locations to host the
Star Wars marathon, we had guests who had never seen some of
the earlier films on the big screen. I think 2019 will be remembered
as the year that epic stories like Star Wars and the Avengers
saga came to a much anticipated resolution.
Blake Andersen
President, Larry H. Miller Megaplex Theatres
Watching A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. It was a
breath of fresh air.
Bud Mayo
Co-Founder and Chairman, New Vision Theatres
Though Disney dominated
the market with excellent box
office grossers including Avengers,
Lion King, Toy Story 4,
Frozen II, and Star Wars, they
were all sequels or reimagined
versions of past films. There
were several other films that
really stood out in 2019 based on originality and audience
acceptance. I particularly enjoyed Rocketman, Knives Out, Ford v
Ferrari, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. These quality films
resonated with audiences and were not only successful grossing
titles but very entertaining and creative. Though more than one
moviegoing moment, this shows that originality can still entertain
and sell tickets.
Phil Zacheretti
President & CEO, Phoenix Theatres
One of my favorite movie
memories from 2019 was
leaving the auditorium at the
end of Joker and hearing the
woman in front of me say,
“Boy ... I just feel like I need
to be a little nicer to people!”
Movies have the ability to
build empathy in a way no other medium really can, particularly
when experienced in a crowded theater full of strangers.
J.D. Loeks
President, Studio C by Celebration Cinemas
Alita: Battle Angel—the story helps us remember that even
if society may throw us away, with the help of others we can
find our purpose and achieve great heights! Alita reminds me
that we all yearn to belong and restore the social order while
maintaining our humanity.
Brian Schultz
Founder & CEO, Studio Movie Grill
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