MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > When they open again, AMC theatres will ...

When they open again, AMC theatres will refuse to play Universal Pictures films.

posted 5 years ago by samoanjoes (56747)
12 replies | jump to latest

https://www.ign.com/articles/amc-theaters-refuses-to-play-universal-movies-once-theaters-reopen

[–] dmac8 (5050) 5 years ago

interesting situation

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 5 years ago

I thought the same thing, and made me wonder, what will AMC show instead??

[–] dmac8 (5050) 5 years ago

it's a bet. if/when things open up and people want to get out, both parties come back to the table -- but AMC might have some leverage, at that point, to work out a better deal.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 5 years ago

I wondered if this might be the case. You'd think both need each other to be successful.

[–] samoanjoes (56747) 5 years ago

They'll regret this when some huge movie comes out. In the article it says they'll even do it if other companies start doing the same. I say good luck to them but they're in for a harsh reality.

[–] Querelle (1603) 5 years ago

That seems kind of like a bad business move. If you're already struggling to combat streaming stuff, you should probably have as many options available to you as possible. Cutting out a whole studio would be a big mistake, especially considering Universal has proven they have other options, not to mention, there are still other theater chains.

[–] GlenEllyn (21526) 5 years ago

I thought about this, too. If everyone is already struggling to survive, why would you cut off a revenue stream?

[–] Querelle (1603) 5 years ago

For sure. I bet AMC will cave eventually and have to eat crow.

[–] samoanjoes (56747) 5 years ago

One thing AMC isn't taking into consideration is that one of the big reasons the Trolls sequel made money is because everyone is currently at home. Once theatres reopen, people will probably flock to the theatre once again. Furthermore, they will make more money on people going to the theatre to watch it for a second time.

[–] Querelle (1603) 5 years ago

Absolutely. There will be plenty of people who saw movies at home that they liked enough to want to see on the big screen. I don't really think AMC has any leverage at all. The studio is holding all the cards. They produce the product, there's a demand for that product, and they have other avenues of distribution.

[–] MonStar (12916) 5 years ago

AMC and Regal have most of the theaters in the USA. They will not show Netflix films, for the same reason.

[–] TandyMan (11097) 5 years ago

Situation is only compounded by mandatory minimization of viewers allowed in theaters. Even when they open, only 25 percent of potential seats will be allowed to be sold.

Animated kids movies were always gonna be the first casualties of the emerging VOD system of distribution. The fact that it's a movie format which can largely be produced from home with minimal interaction from production crew means they'll probably keep banging these flicks out no matter what the pandemic is doing.