AMC History


The History of AMC

1920 - Maurice, Edward and Barney Dubinsky purchase the Regent Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri.
1961 - Stanley Durwood becomes CEO of the company and renames it American Multi-cinema.
1962 - AMC opens the world's first multiplex, the Parkway Twin in Kansas City.
1981 - AMC becomes the first theatre chain to add cupholder armrests.
1991 - AMC introduces Clip®, a "film strip" character to serve as an ambassador of the brand and its Silence is Golden® program.

1995 - AMC opens the world's first megaplex. This innovative destination also inspires AMC to install stadium seating and LoveSeat®-style seating.

2000 - AMC co-founds online ticket services to add convenience to even the busiest AMC theatres like Empire 25 in New York City, which is recognized as the busiest theatre in the world.
2002 - AMC becomes the first theatre chain to introduce the circuit-wide gift card.
2005 - AMC co-founds National CineMedia to run all of AMC's preshow entertainment and in-theatre advertising.
2006 - AMC expands presence throughout the country with the acquisition of Loews Theatres.

2007 - AMC partners with IMAX to bring approximately 125 IMAX large-screen digital projection systems to AMC locations around the country.
2008 - AMC launches Dine-In Theatres. The concept, which continues to expand throughout the United States, allows guests to enjoy restaurant-style food from the comfort of their own luxurious movie seat.
2009 - AMC partners with the Autism Society to launch AMC Sensory Friendly Films nationwide. The program allows children and families to enjoy a movie in a safe, accepting environment that allows talking, yelling, singing and walking around.
- AMC opens its first all-recliner seating theatre, AMC Lakewood 12, dubbed "The Miracle of Lakewood".
- AMC partners with Sony and RealD to implement digital and 3D technology.
2010 - AMC acquires Kerasotes theatres and expands its presence in the Midwest.

2011 - AMC launches its AMC Stubs rewards program, which provides members with new benefits like concessions upgrades and dollars back for every dollar they spend.
2013 - AMC goes public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AMC).

2015 - AMC and Dolby partner to create Dolby Cinema at AMC, a premium large format experience that includes Dolby Vision laser projection, Dolby Atmos sound and AMC's comfortable power recliners.
- AMC acquires Starplex Cinemas.
2016 - Adam Aron joins AMC Theatres as the fourth CEO & President in AMC’s history.
2017 - AMC completes its acquisitions of Carmike Cinemas, which makes AMC the largest theatrical exhibitor in the United States.
- AMC completes its acquisition of Odeon & UCI Cinemas, which makes AMC the largest theatrical exhibitor in the world.

2018 - After a 35-year ban on cinemas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, AMC opens the country’s first theatre.
- AMC launches AMC Stubs A-List, which rewards guests with up to three movies per week, in any format, for one monthly price.

2020 - AMC celebrates its 100th anniversary by reopening theatres for the first time following the start of the pandemic.
2021 - In a historic first-ever for the U.S. movie theatre industry, AMC unveils a national advertising campaign proclaiming: “AMC Theatres. We Make Movies Better.”.
2022 - In its first major broadscale projector upgrade since the transition to digital, AMC signs exclusive agreement with Cinionic to install laser projectors in 3,500 of its U.S. auditoriums.


2023 - AMC’s all-new line of microwave popcorn and ready-to-eat popcorn becomes available for purchase in stores.
- AMC launches the AMC Entertainment Visa Card.

Contact Information
AMC Theatre Support Center11500 Ash Street
Leawood, KS 66211
Call Us
(913) 213-2000
Guest Services: 877-262-4450