AMC Introduces Up to 30-Minute Ads Nationwide

AMC Theatres has announced that starting in 2025, movies will begin 25 to 30 minutes after the listed showtime due to an expanded block of advertisements and trailers. This change follows a new deal with National CineMedia, allowing AMC to place additional ads, including a new premium "Platinum Spot" just before the final trailers, and up to five minutes of commercials possibly running after the official start time. The move marks a reversal of AMC's 2019 stance against extended pre-show advertising, aligning it with competitors like Cinemark and Regal, who have used similar ad strategies without a decline in attendance. AMC CEO Adam Aron explained that this expansion is intended to boost advertising revenue amid the industry's lowest box office revenue since 1996 (excluding pandemic years), helping to stabilize ticket prices and support the company’s long-term financial health. While some patrons appreciate the transparency and ability to plan their arrival better, others criticize the longer wait and increased ad time before films. This adjustment reflects AMC's effort to adapt to financial pressures, streaming competition, and declining theatrical attendance by monetizing pre-show time more aggressively.