List of movie theater chains
This is a list of movie theater chains across the world. The chains of movie theaters are listed alphabetically by continent and then by country.
Global cinema and movie theater chains
The following are the world's largest movie theater chains:| # | Chain | HQ | Screens | Sites |
| 1 | AMC | United States | 10,474 | 940 |
| 2 | Cineworld | United Kingdom | 8,188 | 672 |
| 3 | Cinépolis | Mexico | 6,836 | 891 |
| 4 | Cinemark | United States | 5,647 | 497 |
| 5 | CGV | South Korea | 3,459 | 463 |
| 6 | Cinemex | Mexico | 2,861 | 332 |
| 7 | Cineplex | Canada | 1,676 | 164 |
| 8 | PVR INOX | India | 1,711 | 359 |
| 9 | Vue | United Kingdom | 1,989 | 228 |
| 10 | Wanda | China | 1,657 | 187 |
Africa
Egypt
Ghana
Nigeria
- Silverbird Cinemas – As at 2022, the largest cinema chain in West Africa in-terms of screen numbers, operating with 65 screens. It has 10 theatres in three countries; Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria.
South Africa
- Ster-Kinekor – operating throughout South Africa, it has the largest market share with 53 locations
- Nu Metro Cinemas – 17 locations in South Africa
- Cinecentre — 5 branches across South Africa
Americas
Argentina
Bolivia
- Cine Center
- Cinemark
Brazil
Canada
- Alliance Cinemas – after selling its BC locations, it operated one theater in Toronto until 2021 which has since been rebranded as a Cineplex.
- Cinémas Guzzo – 10 locations and 142 screens in the Montreal area
- Cineplex Cinemas – Canada's largest and North America's fifth-largest movie theater company, with 162 locations and 1,635 screens
- * Cinema City – discount chain in Western Canada, purchased by Cineplex
- *Cineplex Odeon Cinemas – operations in both Canada and the United States. Operations in each country is owned by separate companies. Cineplex Cinemas in Canada and AMC Theatres in the United States.
- *Colossus – a Famous Players brand, now owned by Cineplex
- *Famous Players – formerly Canada's largest theatre chain; purchased by Cineplex Entertainment in 2005
- *Galaxy Cinemas – mid-sized chain that was the parent company to Cineplex Entertainment. Galaxy purchased bankrupt Cineplex in 2003.
- *Scotiabank Theatres – a Cineplex brand
- *SilverCity – a Famous Players brand, now owned by Cineplex
- Imagine Cinemas – 14 locations and 90 screens, in Ontario and BC.
- Landmark Cinemas – Canada's second-largest chain with 45 locations and 317 screens in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the Yukon
- Rainbow and Magic Lantern Cinemas – 11 locations and 43 screens operating in Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan
Defunct brands in Canada
- AMC Theatres – as of 2012 AMC divested of its Canadian operations, selling four to Cineplex, two to Empire Theatres which were later sold to Landmark Cinemas in 2013, closing two.
- Empire Theatres – closed on October 29, 2013, by selling most of their locations to Cineplex Entertainment and Landmark Cinemas and closing 3 others that were not included in the sales. It was formerly Canada's second-largest chain.
- Stinson Theatres
Chile
Colombia
- Cine Colombia
- Cinemark
- Cinépolis
- Royal Films
- Procinal
- Cineprox (Procinal)
- Cineland
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
- Multicines
- Supercines
El Salvador
Guatemala
Mexico
Defunct brands in Mexico
- Cinemark
- AMC Theatres – existed a short time since the early 90s in Plaza Satellite, Galerias Coapa, Perisur, Pericentro, and Pabellon Cuauhtemoc.
- General Cinema – had two theaters in Pavellon Polanco and Plaza Insurgentes
- Cinemagic – It was an independent cinema that was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and had to declare bankruptcy.
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Puerto Rico
- Caribbean Cinemas – 35 theaters, located in Puerto Rico and across the Caribbean, including Panama and Guyana
Trinidad and Tobago
- MovieTowne
- Caribbean Cinemas
- Digicel IMAX/CinemaOne
United States
| Theatre Chain | Theatres Count | Screens Count | Headquarters | Markets | Parent Chain/Owner | Chains Acquired | Notes |
| Alamo Drafthouse Cinema | 35 | 380 | Austin, TX | Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, North Carolina, California, Virginia, DC | Sony Pictures Experiences | ||
| AMC Theatres | 591 | 7,712 | Leawood, KS | United States, Europe - Total of 16 countries | Carmike Cinemas Kerasotes Theatres Starplex Cinemas Cinetopia in 2019 | ||
| Apple Cinemas | 14 | 133 | Walpole, MA | California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island | |||
| B&B Theatres | 53 | 528 | Liberty, MO | Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Washington | Dickinson Theatres | ||
| Brenden Theatres | 7 | 91 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Kingman, Arizona, Northern California, Rifle, Colorado, Las Vegas, Nevada | |||
| BTM Cinemas | 38 | 232 | Ridgefield, CT | Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, and Virginia | Clearview Cinemas | ||
| Boulevard Theatres | 1 | 5 | Wichita, KS | Kansas | |||
| Cinépolis USA | 28 | 264 | Dallas, TX | California, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas | Cinépolis | ||
| Cinema West | 18 | 188 | Petaluma, CA | California and Idaho | |||
| Cinemark Theatres | 304 | 4,249 | Plano, TX | United States | Century Theatres Rave Cinemas | ||
| CMX Cinemas | 33 | 358 | Miami, FL | United States, Mexico | Cinemex | ||
| Classic Cinemas | 15 | 121 | Downers Grove, IL | Illinois, Wisconsin | |||
| Emagine Theatres | 28 | 352 | Troy, MI | Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado | |||
| Fridley Family Theaters | 17 | 99 | Des Moines, IA | Iowa, Nebraska | |||
| Golden Ticket Cinemas | 22 | 112 | Durham, NC | Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, West Virginia | |||
| Goodrich Quality Theaters | 30 | 281 | Grand Rapids, MI | Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Florida | |||
| Harkins Theatres | 35 | 501 | Scottsdale, AZ | Arizona, California, Colorado, Oklahoma | |||
| Laemmle Theatres | 9 | 44 | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles, California | |||
| Landmark Theatres | 52 | 252 | Los Angeles, CA | New York, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Indiana, California, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Washington, Missouri, Washington D.C. | |||
| Malco Theatres | 35 | 362 | Memphis, TN | Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana | |||
| Mann Theatres | 8 | 67 | Bloomington, MN | Minnesota | |||
| Marcus Theatres | 90 | 1,098 | Milwaukee, WI | Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio | Douglas Theatre Company Wehrenberg Theatres Movie Tavern | ||
| Marquee Cinemas | 17 | 175 | Beckley, WV | Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia | |||
| Maya Cinemas | 6 | 88 | Los Angeles, CA | California | |||
| Megaplex Theatres | 16 | 182 | Sandy, UT | Utah, Nevada | Westates Theatres | ||
| Metropolitan Theatres | 11 | 62 | Los Angeles, CA | California | |||
| MJR Theatres | 11 | 170 | Bloomfield Hills, MI | Michigan | |||
| Moore Theatres | 5 | 27 | Otsego, MI | Southwest Michigan | |||
| National Amusements | 29 | 392 | Norwood, MA | Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, | Cinema de Lux Multiplex Cinemas Showcase Cinemas | ||
| NCG Cinemas | 19 | 147 | Owosso, MI | Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee | |||
| Premiere Cinemas | 28 | 301 | Big Spring, TX | Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, South Carolina, Texas | |||
| Reading Cinemas | 27 | 245 | Culver City, CA | Hawaii, California, New York, Texas, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington DC | Reading Cinemas Angelika Film Center Consolidated Theatres Pacific Theatres | ||
| Regal Cinemas | 404 | 5,511 | Knoxville, TN | United States, American Samoa | Cineworld | Regal Cinemas United Artists Theatres Edwards Theatres Sawmill Theaters Hoyts Cinemas Eastern Federal Theatres Consolidated Theatres Great Escape Theatres Hollywood Theaters Warren Theatres | |
| Regency Theatres | 18 | 131 | Ventura, California | Southern California, Yuma, Arizona and Hawaii | - | ||
| Santikos Theatres | 27 | 377 | San Antonio, TX | North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas | Southern Theatres Grand Theatres AmStar Cinemas | For-profit company that exists solely to give back to non-profits | |
| SR Entertainment | 6 | 79 | Santa Rosa, California | California | - | ||
| Studio Movie Grill | 30 | 330 | Dallas, TX | Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas | - |
Venezuela
Asia
Bangladesh
China
In 2014 there were 5,813 movie theaters in China and 299 cinema chains, with 252 classified as "rural" and 47 as "urban".- Antaeus Cinema Line
- Bona Cinema Line
- China Film Group Digital Cinema Line
- China Film South Cinema Circuit
- China Film Stellar
- Cinemark
- CJ CGV
- Dadi Theater Circuit
- Hengdian Cinema Line
- Huayi Brothers Cinema Line
- Jinyi Cinemas
- UA Cinemas
- UME Cinemas – one of China's longest-running cinema groups, operating 400 screens in 25 cinemas across the country as of 2015
- Wanda Cinemas
Hong Kong
India
As of 2023, India has around 10,000 cinemas with over 30,000 screens. The growth in the number of screens has been driven by the expansion of multiplex chains like PVR INOX, Cinèpolis, and Miraj Cinemas.The Indian film industry continues to expand, with both regional and Bollywood films playing a significant role in this growth.| Theatre Chain | Number of Screens | Locations | Notes |
| PVR Cinemas | 1711 | 359 |
|
| INOX | 1711 | 144 | |
| Carnival Cinemas | 470 | 115 | |
| Cinepolis India | 360 | 35 | |
| Miraj Cinemas | 162 | 56 | |
| Chhotu Maharaj Cinema | 118 | 118 | Chhotu Maharaj Cinema - Indias Fastest Gowing Cinema Chain. 400+ Signed, 118 Install 35 Location Live across India. |
Indonesia
- 21 Cineplex – largest cinema chain in Indonesia, owns around 64% of cinemas in Indonesia
- CGV Cinemas – chain owned by CJ CGV, owns around 17% of cinemas in Indonesia
- Cinépolis – chain owned by Lippo Group and Mexican movie theater Cinépolis, owns around 15% of cinemas in Indonesia ''''
Japan
| Chain | Screens | Notes |
| Aeon Cinemas | 813 | |
| Toho Cinemas | 722 | |
| Lawson United Cinemas | 396 | |
| Shochiku Movix | 297 | |
| Toei 109 Cinemas | 175 | |
| Toei/CJ CGV T-Joy Cinemas | 142 | |
| Cinema Sunshine | 116 |
Malaysia
Nepal
Pakistan
- Atrium Cinemas
- Bambino Cinema
- Cine Gold
- CineStar
- DHA Cinema
- Nueplex Cinemas
- PAF Cinema
- Universe Cineplex
Philippines
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
- Cathay
- Golden Village – a joint venture between Australia's Village Roadshow and Hong Kong's Golden Harvest in Singapore
- Shaw Organisation
- WE Cinemas
South Korea
- CJ CGV – largest multiplex cinema chain of Korea, with 1,201 screens worldwide and more than 100 million viewers worldwide
- *Cine de Chef – cinema and restaurant operated by CJ CGV
- Lotte Cinema – chain run by the Lotte Group operating both stand alone theaters and theaters inside Lotte Department Store branches
- Megabox multi – cultural multiplex cinema chain
Taiwan
- Ambassador Theatres – 13 theaters
- Century Asia Cinemas – 2 theaters
- Miranew Cinemas – 3 theaters
- Shin Kong Cinemas – 3 theaters
- Showtime Cinemas
- Vieshow Cinemas – 18 theaters
Thailand
- Major Cineplex – largest cinema group in Thailand. The group includes :
- *Major Cineplex
- *Major Cinema
- *Paragon Cineplex
- *Esplanade Cineplex
- *Quartier Cineart
- *Icon Cineconic
- *Cineplex
- SF Group
- *SF World Cinema
- *SFX Cinema
- *SF Cinema
- *Emprive Cineclub
United Arab Emirates
Europe
Belgium
France
- Pathé Cinémas
- UGC
- CGR Cinémas
Greece
Poland
Spain
Rest of Europe
- Cinema City - cinema chain owned by Cineworld in Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria
- Cinemas NOS – cinema chain in Portugal
- Cineplexx - cinema chain in Austria, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia
- CineStar - cinema chain in Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Croatia, Serbia, Kosovo, Italy and Switzerland
- Filmstaden - cinema chain owned by Odeon Cinemas Group in Sweden
- Finnkino – cinema chain owned by Odeon Cinemas Group in Finland
- Kinepolis – cinema chain in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland
- Multikino - cinema chain owned by Vue in Poland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia
- Multiplex - cinema chain in Ukraine
- Nordisk - cinema chain in Denmark, Norway and Sweden
- Odeon Cinemas - cinema chain owned by Odeon Cinemas Group in Ireland, Norway and United Kingdom
- Odessa Kino - cinema chain in Ukraine
- Omniplex – cinema chain in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
- Pathé - cinema chain in Belgium, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Tunisia and Senegal
- UCI Cinemas - cinema chain owned by Odeon Cinemas Group in Germany, Italy and Portugal
- UGC - cinema chain in France and Belgium
- Village - cinema chain in Greece
Former chains
- Astoria Cinemas - cinema chain in Sweden
- ABC
- Apollo – cinema chain in the United Kingdom
- MGM
- Palas Cinemas - merged with Cinema City
- Silver Screen (Poland) – merged with Multikino
- Utopolis - cinema chain in Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg and France
- Virgin
- Ward Anderson - cinema chain in Ireland
- Warner Village Cinemas
Oceania
Australia
| Theatre Chain | Headquarters | Locations | Notes |
| Ace Cinemas, operated by The Movie Masters Cinema Group | Sydney | ||
| Dendy Cinemas | Sydney | 4 | |
| Event Cinemas | Sydney | 62 | Previously known as Greater Union, Birch, Carroll & Coyle and Village Cinemas |
| Grand Cinemas | Perth | 6 | Ace Cinemas and Grand Cinemas |
| Hoyts | Sydney | 38 | Owned by Wanda Cinemas |
| Palace Cinemas | Balwyn | 18 | |
| Reading Cinemas | South Melbourne | 29 | |
| United Cinemas | Various | 8 | |
| Village Cinemas | Melbourne | 26 | |
| Wallis | Richmond | 5 |