AMC Entertainment is betting big on premium cinema. The company plans to add 40 new Dolby Cinema theaters across the U.S. by 2027, a 25% expansion that will bring AMC’s premium screen count to over 200. This strategic move coincides with Hollywood’s preparation to release a slate of highly anticipated blockbusters.

Premium large format (PLF) theaters have become crucial to the industry’s financial health, despite accounting for just 9.1% of the domestic box office in 2024. The number of PLF screens has grown to 950 theaters—a 33% increase in just five years—reflecting consumers’ willingness to pay premium prices. These tickets average nearly $17 each—8% more than in 2021—for experiences featuring state-of-the-art visuals, immersive sound, and luxury seating.

“Premium moviegoing is defining the modern box office,” said Dolby Laboratories president and CEO Kevin Yeaman, whose company partners with AMC to deliver cutting-edge cinema technology.

AMC’s innovation push extends beyond Dolby Cinema. The chain recently agreed to introduce 65 ScreenX auditoriums and 40 4DX theaters globally with CJ 4DPLEX, offering unique experiences from panoramic multi-projection to motion seats with sensory effects.

Recent blockbusters validate this strategy. Films like Oppenheimer, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Dune have thrived in premium formats, capturing substantial PLF box office shares. Industry analysts expect this trend to accelerate with upcoming releases from major franchises, including Avatar: Fire and Ash, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and two more Star Wars movies planned for 2026.

AMC’s investment highlights a fundamental shift in exhibition business models. By prioritizing quality over quantity as theaters compete with streaming services, AMC aims to strengthen its position as a destination for immersive entertainment that cannot be replicated at home.