AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron
AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron Lauds Netflix Relationship
February 25, 2026
State lawmakers, Hollywood guilds and noted directors may have reservations about Netflix’s $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, but the nation’s No.1 theatrical exhibitor is taking the opposite approach.
AMC Theatres, with a market share that represents more than 25% of all box office dollars generated in the United States, is positively giddy working with the world’s largest subscription streaming video platform, according to CEO Adam Aron.
Speaking Feb. 25 on AMC Entertainment’s fiscal call, Aron reiterated the success the chain had exclusively screening Netflix’s smash feature film KPop Demon Hunters, in addition to the finale episode of “Stranger Things” on New Year’s Eve.
“You may recall that a few months ago, AMC and Netflix made the joint decision to partner together,” Aron said. “This was a significant departure from our two companies staying at arm’s length from each other over a period of many years.”
Indeed, AMC screens generated 35% of the movie’s total moviegoers during that holiday weekend time frame. The “Stranger Things” series finale saw more than 753,000 moviegoers, which enabled AMC to collect $15 million in concession revenue.
Per guild rules, AMC/Netflix were not allowed to charge admission to the “Stranger Things” screening, a mandate that saw the two companies create a requisite workaround charging attendees a mandatory $20 concession voucher.
“It was a powerful demonstration of the demand for shared theatrical experiences tied to culturally significant content,” Aron said.
Opponents of the Netflix/WBD deal allege the heretofore critic of the theatrical window could negatively impact the theatrical business going forward by concurrent global streaming of new release feature films.
In fact, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos last April infamously characterized the legacy communal moviegoing experience and its exclusive release windows as an “outmoded idea.” Sarandos told a media event in New York that for most of the country, who could not get to a multiplex, the theatrical business model was out of step with how consumers actually want to watch movies.
With Netflix now committed to honoring Warner’s 45-day theatrical window should it emerge victorious in the acquisition, AMC is looking to expand that mindset.
Aron contends that the collaboration with Netflix underscored a strategic opportunity between exhibitors and the streaming behemoth.
“With roughly two-thirds of AMC Stubs loyalty members also subscribing to Netflix, the audience overlap between our two companies is both significant and compelling,” Aron said.
“As a result, our two companies should be the best of friends,” he said. “And I can confirm to you that AMC is enthusiastic about the prospects of expanding our relationship with Netflix. We look forward to working together to create innovative, mutually beneficial theatrical events that drive value for both companies.”
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