Why AMC Theatres Are Closing Locations Across The U.S.

Maybe I'm part of the problem since I haven't been to a movie theater since the Brad Pitt racing movie F1 hit the big screen back in June of 2025. I don't remember the last movie I saw in a theater before that.

The catching-a-movie-in-a-movie-theater idea has really suffered since the pandemic, and the movie business continues to adjust to a very different world than it knew just a few years ago.

AMC Theatres, the largest theater chain in the world, and the biggest in Illinois, has announced plans to close additional locations after already shuttering more than 200 theaters nationwide in recent years. The company says attendance still hasn’t fully rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, and that’s forcing them to make some difficult decisions about underperforming properties.

Over the past five years, AMC has closed 213 theaters across the country while opening only a couple dozen new ones. Company leaders have indicated that more closures than openings are likely in the near future as leases expire and decisions are going to have to be made about whether it's worth it to the company to renew.

Getty Images

Here's What's Changed In The Landscape Of Movies And Movie Theaters

It might be just me, but doesn't it seem that blaming the pandemic (for everything that's gone wrong since it came along) is almost the default position for nearly every struggling company?

The pandemic was 5 years ago, and it most certainly did change viewing habits for us. Streaming became the default for millions of households. Studios experimented with releasing movies online and in theaters at the same time. And lots of us simply got comfortable staying home.

But there’s another major factor.

Home entertainment has gotten really good, and far more affordable. Big, beautiful 4K (and even 8K) TVs that once cost thousands are now within reach for many families. High-end sound-bars and surround sound systems can replicate a lot of that booming theater audio experience. Add in a comfy couch, pause buttons, and snacks that don’t cost $8, and it’s easy to see why some people would rather host movie night in their living room.

Why go out? (Getty Images)

What Does This Announcement From AMC Mean For Illinois?

Here in Illinois, AMC has a significant footprint. There are roughly 44 AMC locations statewide, stretching from Chicago and its suburbs to Rockford, Springfield, Peoria, and Carbondale. That means any additional cuts could hit close to home for Illinois moviegoers.

That doesn’t mean theaters are going away. Blockbusters, premium large formats, and the shared experience of opening night still draw crowds. But the days when theaters were the best and only way to see a new release are clearly gone.

Here's where the AMC Theatres in Illinois can be found: