The End of an Era? AMC May Close More New Jersey Movie Theaters as Stock Hits Record Low
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus NJ, Going to the movies in New Jersey might soon look a lot different. AMC Theatres, the largest cinema chain in the world and a staple of Garden State malls, has issued a stark warning: more locations are on the chopping block.
As the company grapples with a sluggish post-pandemic box office and a plummeting stock price, executives confirmed this week that a fresh wave of closures is coming in 2026.
The Numbers Behind the Curtains: Attendance Drops 10%
During a Tuesday earnings call, AMC revealed a troubling trend for theater lovers. Despite massive blockbusters, overall attendance dropped nearly 10 percent in the final quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year.
This news sent AMC shares tumbling to a multi-year low of just $1.16, prompting the company to take aggressive action to stay afloat.
85 Locations Under Review: Is Your Local NJ Theater Safe?
Paramus NJ, AMC Chief Financial Officer Sean Goodman stated that the company is currently analyzing 85 locations whose leases are up for renewal this year. While AMC hasn’t released a “hit list” of specific towns, the strategy is clear: if a theater isn’t turning a major profit, it’s closing.
“We’ll be closing more theaters than we open, but the new ones that we open are generating significantly more profit than the ones that we close.” — Sean Goodman, AMC CFO
Over the last five years, AMC has already shuttered 213 locations globally. However, it’s not all bad news—the chain has opened 25 high-tech, “premium” theaters in that same timeframe, signaling a shift toward luxury experiences over neighborhood convenience.
Current AMC Theaters in New Jersey
AMC currently operates a massive footprint in NJ. Residents in the following towns will be watching closely as lease renewals approach:
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North Jersey: Clifton, Elizabeth, Hackensack, Jersey City, Linden, Morristown, Paramus, Ridgefield Park, Rockaway, Wayne, West Orange.
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Central Jersey: Bridgewater, East Brunswick, East Hanover, Edison, New Brunswick, Mountainside, Princeton.
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Jersey Shore/South Jersey: Brick, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Eatontown, Freehold, Marlton, Voorhees.
Why the Box Office is Struggling
Industry analysts point to several factors for the “sluggish” numbers:
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Shortened Streaming Windows: Movies are hitting platforms like Netflix and Disney+ faster than ever.
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Rising Ticket Prices: The cost of IMAX and Dolby Cinema experiences is pushing some families to stay home.
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Content Gaps: Lingering effects of previous industry strikes have caused delays in the blockbuster pipeline.
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Tags: #NewJersey #AMCTheatres #MovieNews #NJBusiness #EntertainmentIndustry #Cinema #GardenState #StockMarket #JerseyLiving
Other reasons box office is struggling
1- Awful, DEI-soaked movies
2- Insane concession prices
3-Rude moviegoers on their phones
The juice usually ain’t worth the squeeze
“Despite massive blockbusters”. Huh??
Does anyone remember the ‘popcorn trick’ when we were in RHS