AMC Theatres to Close Select Locations in New Jersey

Movie theater giant cites sluggish post-pandemic box office as reason for shuttering some Garden State sites.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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AMC Theatres, the largest movie theater chain in the U.S., has announced plans to close select locations in New Jersey as it continues to grapple with slow post-pandemic ticket sales. The company's chief financial officer stated that leases for around 85 locations are up for renewal this year, and executives will analyze each site to determine whether to renew the lease or shutter the theater.

Why it matters

The potential closures mark a significant shift for AMC, which started as a small, family-owned business in 1920 and grew to become an industry leader by focusing on enhancing the movie-going experience. The pandemic's impact on theater attendance, combined with the rise of streaming, has forced AMC to reevaluate its footprint, particularly in markets like New Jersey where it has a significant presence.

The details

AMC has several theaters currently operating across New Jersey, including locations in Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Clifton, and other cities. However, the company's chief financial officer stated that leases for around 85 locations nationwide are up for renewal this year, and executives will analyze each site to determine whether to renew the lease or close the theater due to the continued sluggish box office performance.

  • AMC Theatres announced the potential closures this week.
  • The company's leases for around 85 locations nationwide are up for renewal in 2026.

The players

AMC Theatres

The largest movie theater chain in the United States, AMC Theatres started as a small, family-owned business in 1920 and grew to become an industry leader by focusing on enhancing the movie-going experience.

Sean Goodman

The chief financial officer of AMC Theatres, who stated that the company will continue to take actions to close theaters and reduce leases as it grapples with sluggish post-pandemic box office numbers.

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What they’re saying

“We will continue to take actions to close theaters, to reduce leases as we go forward.”

— Sean Goodman, Chief Financial Officer, AMC Theatres (Patch)

What’s next

AMC will analyze the leases for its 85 locations up for renewal this year to determine which theaters to keep open or close based on their financial performance.

The takeaway

The potential AMC theater closures in New Jersey highlight the ongoing challenges facing the movie industry as it navigates the post-pandemic landscape, where declining theater attendance and the rise of streaming have forced even the largest chains to reevaluate their footprint and adapt their business models.