Now All Three Major Theater Chains Want California to Settle With Paramount

After the CEOs of AMC Theatres and Regal publicly backed a Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery marriage, Cinemark is also signaling its throwing its hat in with David Ellison’s team.

The exhibitor released a statement saying that it backs an “expedited resolution” of the merger plan, in light of a court setting a date for a trial pitting California attorney general Rob Bonta vs. Paramount mogul David Ellison in March 2027.

Cinemark’s statement did not quote a single executive or its CEO Sean Gamble, unlike AMC or Regal, which had Adam Aron and Eduardo Acuna weigh in directly. Cinemark also towed the line more carefully given that the main lobbying organization repping the major theater chains, Cinema United, still staunchly opposes a merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Meaning, now all three of the major theater chains are finding themselves on the opposite side of what their own lobbyists are saying publicly.

As we assess the current state of the theatrical exhibition industry, box office is tracking toward its strongest result in the past seven years driven by robust moviegoing momentum, positive consumer trends and a steadier cadence of varied and compelling film releases. We recently witnessed the biggest domestic box office weekend in history, and this summer is on the cusp of delivering record-level proceeds.

Moving forward, the enduring success of our industry requires a healthy theatrical ecosystem supported by financially sound studios and exhibitors that can effectively create, distribute and exhibit high-quality films to consumers around the world. With that in mind, we have consistently stated we would look favorably upon media consolidation that increases the quality and output of films released into theaters with sufficient marketing campaigns and theatrical windows, and that is backed by firm commitments to ensure follow-through. David Ellison and the leadership team at Paramount Skydance have repeatedly expressed their intent to release at least 30 films into theaters annually following a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, with minimum windows of 45 days to PVOD and 90 days to SVOD. Moreover, they are now offering to put those pledges into written commitments and consent decrees. These are conditions and formal assurances that align with our long-held views, which we at Cinemark support.

Strong partnership and collaboration throughout our industry are also essential drivers in sustaining a vibrant moviegoing environment. In that spirit, we are highly encouraged by constructive dialogue taking place between Paramount Skydance and Cinema United, our trade organization, regarding the specifics of Paramount Skydance’s proposed commitments. We respect and appreciate Cinema United’s advocacy on behalf of all theatrical exhibition and view these conversations as meaningful progress toward achieving outcomes that support our industry’s long-term health and success.

We collectively benefit most when all stakeholders work together in pursuit of shared industry objectives, including creating and releasing compelling films, attracting audiences to theaters and fostering long-term growth.