AMC Stock Soars on CEO's Support for Paramount-Warner Deal

Aron says 30 films annually and 45-day theatrical window would be a 'significant improvement' for exhibitors

Apr. 17, 2026 at 1:48am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of film reels, a vintage movie camera, and a popcorn box arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the future of the theatrical movie experience.A conceptual still life capturing the renewed optimism in the movie theater industry as major studios commit to boosting theatrical releases.Los Angeles Today

AMC Entertainment's stock has jumped 64% so far this month, its best performance since the 2021 meme-stock rally, after CEO Adam Aron voiced support for Paramount Skydance's proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Aron said commitments from Paramount to release at least 30 films annually across both studios and maintain a 45-day exclusive theatrical window would represent a 'significant improvement' for cinema exhibitors.

Why it matters

The proposed Paramount-Warner deal and Aron's backing of it are seen as positive news for the movie theater industry, which has struggled to recover from pandemic-era disruptions. Aron's endorsement and Paramount's promises of more theatrical releases and longer cinema exclusivity windows could help boost attendance and revenue for AMC and other exhibitors.

The details

Aron said AMC is not trying to influence regulators reviewing the proposed transaction, but wanted to clarify the company's favorable view. He praised the leadership of Warner Bros. and its promising film slate. At CinemaCon, Paramount CEO David Ellison reaffirmed plans for a minimum of 30 films annually across both studios if the deal is approved. Paramount ultimately agreed to a $111 billion deal to acquire Warner Bros. after outbidding Netflix.

  • AMC stock has jumped 64% so far in April 2026, its best performance since June 2021.
  • Earlier this month, AMC reported its largest combined global admissions and food-and-beverage revenue ever recorded for a five-day Easter weekend.
  • Last month, AMC also recorded its second-highest weekend of 2026 admissions revenue globally, driven by the over-$140 million worldwide opening weekend of Project Hail Mary.

The players

Adam Aron

Chairman & CEO of AMC Entertainment Holdings.

David Ellison

CEO of Paramount Skydance, which is proposing to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

Mike De Luca

Studio leadership at Warner Bros.

Pam Abdy

Studio leadership at Warner Bros.

Netflix

Streaming service that was outbid by Paramount Skydance in the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.

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What they’re saying

“It is time for AMC to make known our favorable view about Paramount's desire to acquire Warner.”

— Adam Aron, Chairman & CEO, AMC Entertainment

“I wanted to look every single one of you in the eye and give you my word: Once we combine with Warner Bros., we are going to make a minimum of 30 films annually across both studios.”

— David Ellison, CEO, Paramount Skydance

“The theatrical experience is also smart business: Nowhere else can you launch a multiplatform franchise or IP that can grow and thrive for generations to come.”

— David Ellison, CEO, Paramount Skydance

What’s next

The proposed Paramount-Warner deal remains under regulatory review in the U.S. and internationally. If approved, the combined studios have pledged to release at least 30 films per year and maintain a 45-day theatrical exclusivity window.

The takeaway

AMC's support for the Paramount-Warner deal signals optimism about the future of theatrical releases and the potential benefits for cinema exhibitors. The commitment to more films and longer theatrical windows could help drive increased attendance and revenue for AMC and the broader movie theater industry as it continues recovering from the pandemic.