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AMC Theatres just shattered its 106-year Easter record. Over 6 million guests packed theaters worldwide from April 1-5. A certain Italian plumber in space drove unprecedented revenue numbers.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Attendance milestone: More than 6.0 million guests visited AMC Theatres and ODEON Cinemas from April 1-5, 2026.
- Record revenue: Largest combined global admissions and food & beverage earnings for a 5-day Easter weekend in the company’s 106-year history.
- Box office driver: The Super Mario Galaxy Movie generated a media-reported $372 million global opening debut, the highest ever.
- Merchandise success: Super Mario Galaxy merchandise ranked as AMC’s second-best selling program ever, trailing only Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film.
Space Adventure Powers Biggest Easter Weekend Ever
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie arrived in theaters on April 1 and immediately became the Easter weekend’s undisputed champion. The Nintendo and Illumination Entertainment collaboration drew families, longtime fans, and younger audiences in record numbers. According to AMC Entertainment, the film’s broad family-friendly appeal fueled robust moviegoing throughout the five-day holiday period.
The movie’s success extended beyond ticket sales. Themed merchandise featuring the beloved Yoshi popcorn bucket and Luma LED popcorn bucket flew off shelves. Guests purchased collectibles enthusiastically, making this merchandise program AMC’s second-highest grossing ever.
AMC Theatres breaks Easter record with 6M guests worldwide, Super Mario Galaxy drives record revenue
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Galaxy Quest Reaches Entertainment Milestone
Directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic brought the cosmic adventure to life with strong voice performances from Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, and Jack Black. The PG-rated film captured audiences across age groups. The $747 million global box office total (as of April 23) already ranks it among 2026’s highest-grossing films.
The broader film slate also contributed to success. Holdovers like PROJECT HAIL MARY and HOPPERS kept momentum strong, while new releases like THE DRAMA provided additional options for moviegoers.
AMC Theatres Performance Overview
| Metric | Details |
| Easter Weekend Attendance | 6.0+ million guests worldwide |
| Record Type | Best 5-day Easter weekend in 106-year history |
| Top Film | The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, $372M global debut |
| Merchandise Ranking | Second-highest grossing program of all time |
“THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE brought families, younger audiences, and longtime fans to our theatres in impressive numbers, in the highest grossing Easter holiday weekend ever for AMC and ODEON.”
— Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC Entertainment
What Made This Easter Historic for Theatres
The five-day holiday period combined multiple factors for perfect storm success. AMC’s enhanced food and beverage offerings and premium merchandise programs boosted revenue beyond ticket sales. The company’s signature power-recliner seats and enhanced guest experiences kept families returning. Shigeru Miyamoto, producer and legend, brought Nintendo’s magic to the screen.
The record wasn’t driven by a single blockbuster. PROJECT HAIL MARY, THE DRAMA, and other titles contributed substantially. This diversity proved that theatrical exhibition thrives when audiences have diverse, compelling film choices available.
Can AMC Theatres Maintain This Momentum Going Forward?
With 855 theatres and 9,640 screens globally, AMC Entertainment faces pressure to sustain this energy. The cinema chain stock surged 15 percent following the announcement. Future releases will test whether family-friendly blockbusters and premium experiences can replicate this electrifying performance.
The Super Mario Galaxy Movie‘s success signals strong demand for quality theatrical releases. As AMC navigates 2026, executives hope this Easter record becomes the benchmark that drives operational excellence across all locations.
