Why Is AMC Stock Rising, and Is It a Buying Opportunity?
Key Points
Your local multiplex is having a moment, with movie theaters having their best year since 2019.
AMC is now expected to turn an annual profit for the first time since 2018.
Risks remain, but momentum is clearly on its side.
One of the biggest losers in recent years is one of the top gainers of 2026. Shares of AMC Entertainment (NYSE: AMC) have risen 86% this year, trouncing the market after losing more than 99% of its value over the past five years.
You don't have to travel far to see why AMC is booming this year, assuming you live close to your local multiplex. Folks have returned to the theatrical screenings in a major way. Domestic box office receipts are 21% higher this year than they were at this point in 2025. The news gets even better if you zoom out for a global snapshot.
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Image source: Getty Images.
Moving pictures, in more ways than one
This will be the first year since before the COVID-19 pandemic that global ticket sales top $10 billion. It will be only the second time in the history of cinema that more than five movies hit $1 billion in box office receipts. Movie studios are hitting it out of the park, but -- more importantly -- folks are returning to the silver screen instead of waiting for releases to hit the streaming market.
AMC isn't perfect. It has so much debt on its balance sheet that its $2.6 billion market cap expands to an enterprise value of $9.5 billion. It has yet to turn an annual profit since the COVID-19 crisis, even though some smaller chains have been profitable for a couple of years.
AMC stock is winning again. It has gone from meme stock punchline to getting the last laugh. It's not just the rise in ticket sales. AMC has nurtured engagement through its AMC Stubs member loyalty program and A-List monthly movie subscription plan. It has beefed up its high-margin concessions stand with premium offerings and movie collectibles.
Analysts now see AMC turning its first annual adjusted profit since 2018. Things can still go wrong. Hollywood can put out weak content in 2027 and beyond. The economy can take a hit, limiting patrons' ability to pay for escapism when they need it most. Rising rates obviously won't help a highly leveraged operator. You still have to like AMC's chances here. It's a comeback story worthy of its own movie.
Rick Munarriz has positions in AMC Entertainment. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.