Can AMC Theatres Survive the Pandemic Without Bankruptcy or Downsizing Theaters?

Whenever movie theaters reopen next year and blockbusters return after months of pandemic delays, a major question will be whether the recovery will be enough to pull AMC Theatres back from the brink of bankruptcy — or from shuttering or selling off venues to survive. Since the start of the pandemic in mid-March, revenue for the U.S.’s largest theater chain has collapsed by a staggering 92% compared to the same period in 2019. The company’s stock, already struggling at the start of the year at $7.46 per share, closed at $2.59 on Tuesday as the company has fought to maintain enough cash flow to cover operating costs and a debt burden that stands just under $5 billion.