AMC Theatres to Close More Locations Across Virginia

Movie theater chain cites sluggish post-pandemic attendance as reason for shuttering over 200 theaters in recent years.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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AMC Theatres, the world's largest movie theater chain, has announced plans to close more of its locations in Virginia and across the country. The company has already shuttered 213 theaters over the past five years and now has around 850 locations, including 12 in Virginia. Executives cited a nearly 10% drop in attendance in the final quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, leading to a multi-year low in the company's stock price. AMC plans to analyze leases at around 85 locations up for renewal this year to determine whether to renew or shutter those theaters.

Why it matters

The closure of AMC theaters in Virginia is a reflection of the ongoing challenges facing the movie theater industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reduced attendance and changing consumer habits have forced major chains like AMC to reevaluate their footprint and focus on the most profitable locations. This could impact access to movie-going experiences for communities across the state.

The details

AMC Theatres has shuttered 213 locations over the past five years and now has about 850 theaters, including 12 in Virginia. Executives said the company will continue to close more theaters than it opens, with leases at around 85 locations up for renewal this year. AMC will analyze those locations to determine whether to renew the leases or shutter the theaters. While the company has closed over 200 theaters, it has also opened 25 new ones, reflecting a focus on the most profitable opportunities.

  • In the final quarter of 2025, AMC reported a nearly 10% drop in attendance compared to the same period the previous year.
  • On Monday, AMC's stock price dropped to a multi-year low of $1.16 per share.

The players

AMC Theatres

The world's largest movie theater chain, which has been grappling with sluggish post-pandemic box office numbers.

Sean Goodman

AMC's Chief Financial Officer, who discussed the company's plans to close more theaters and focus on the most profitable locations.

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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 (Patch.com)

“You're going to see the similar sort of pace going forward, we'll be closing more theaters than we open, but the new ones that we open are generating significantly more profit than the ones that we close.”

— Sean Goodman, Chief Financial Officer (Patch.com)

What’s next

AMC executives will analyze the leases of around 85 locations in Virginia and across the country that are up for renewal this year to determine whether to renew or shutter those theaters.

The takeaway

The closure of AMC theaters in Virginia is a sign of the ongoing challenges facing the movie theater industry, as reduced attendance and changing consumer habits force major chains to reevaluate their footprint and focus on the most profitable locations. This could impact access to movie-going experiences for communities across the state.