US Cinema Chains Endorse Paramount-Warner Merger Amid Antitrust Fight

Cinemark, AMC Theatres and Regal Cinemas have publicly supported the proposed $110-$111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance. Cinemark’s statement emphasized the need for “a healthy theatrical ecosystem” and praised the “written commitments and consent decrees” offered by Paramount Skydance. AMC chief executive Adam Aron has argued since CinemaCon that the combined studio would strengthen the theatrical business, while Regal’s president Eduardo Acuña warned that delaying the deal could create additional uncertainty and distraction for an industry that is seeing its summer box-office revenues exceed $4 billion for only the second time since the pandemic.

Variety MagazineCinema United urges Paramount, California to settle Warner Bros deal

Cinema United, the trade group representing roughly 30,000 U.S. screens, has shifted from outright opposition to urging a settlement with California Attorney General Rob Bonta and Paramount CEO David Ellison. The organization seeks “tangible and enforceable guardrails,” including a long-term pledge to maintain or increase the number of wide-release films, assurances that theatre-owner fees will not rise, and continued access to the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. libraries.

Cinema United urges Paramount, California to settle Warner Bros deal

A coalition of 12 states, including California, is pursuing an antitrust lawsuit to block the merger, alleging that the combined entity could raise prices for films and television content, harm competition for workers, and depress wages. The case is scheduled for trial in 2027. In response, David Ellison has warned he may withdraw Paramount’s California operations as early as October if negotiations stall. Attorney General Bonta has reiterated that the merger “remains unlawful” and could lead to job losses and higher consumer prices.

Cinema United urges Paramount, California to settle Warner Bros deal

Rentrak estimates this summer’s box-office could eclipse the all-time record of $4.755 billion (not inflation-adjusted), while annual domestic revenues may approach $10 billion for the first time since 2019. Exhibitors argue that a stable studio partnership is essential to sustain such growth and to protect the “hard-fought progress” achieved after the pandemic and the 2023 strikes.

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• “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,” — Cinemark

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• “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,” — Cinemark

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