Key Takeaways
- Movie theater chain AMC Entertainment on Monday reported its best weekend of revenue and attendance so far this year, thanks to the launch of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
- Merchandise sold along with the movie’s release has already taken the top spot for the year, as AMC said it surpassed those of “Despicable Me 4.”
- The movie is also the latest win for Disney, which saw Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” surpass $1 billion earlier this summer.
AMC Entertainment (AMC) said Monday that it had its best weekend of the year in terms of revenue and attendance over the weekend, driven by the opening of Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
The company said that more than 6 million people attended a movie at one of its theaters across the globe Thursday through Sunday. The traffic also helped AMC set its highest weekend food and beverage revenue since 2019, while the movie’s merchandise became its top seller so far this year.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ Helps AMC Break Company Records
AMC said “Deadpool & Wolverine” set records for the biggest R-rated debut in the theater chain’s history. The movie brought in a reported $205 million U.S. weekend box office total with nearly $440 million globally, a record for an R-rated film.
The movie’s special edition popcorn buckets and drink toppers also brought AMC its highest merchandise sales of the year, surpassing those of “Despicable Me 4” earlier this year. The merchandise sales for the Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman film are the second highest in AMC history, behind only Taylor Swift’s blockbuster “Eras Tour” concert movie last year, the company said.
The early success of the newest Marvel Studios film also represents the latest win for Disney (DIS), whose animated hit “Inside Out 2” surpassed $1 billion in global box office earlier this summer.
AMC shares were 1% higher at $5.24 as of noon ET Monday, roughly 15% below where they 2024, as the one-time meme stock has had another volatile year.