AMC Theatres Face Duality in Theatres As Netflix and Disney Play Two Wildly Opposite Roles in Movie Market

From a shared past in home video to shaping the streaming landscape, Netflix and Disney have long been titans of entertainment, but their relationship with the traditional cinema model could not be more different. While Disney’s box-office juggernauts fill theaters, Netflix has championed a direct-to-consumer approach, creating a fascinating duality for movie exhibitors.

For a company like AMC Theatres, this contrast creates a significant challenge, forcing it to navigate two opposed visions for the future of film distribution.

Window wars: Why AMC refuses to play most Netflix movies

AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron has made it clear in The Town With Matthew Belloni Podcast that while he wants to show Netflix movies, a fundamental disagreement over release strategy remains. The primary point of contention is the theatrical window, the period of time a movie plays exclusively in theaters before becoming available on other platforms. Netflix has historically insisted on a very short or simultaneous theatrical and streaming release, which AMC and other chains argue devalues the movie-going experience. Aron maintains that a proper theatrical window is essential to the health of the entire industry.

Adam Aron has stated in the Podcast, “Nothing would make me happier than for Netflix to want to show movies theatrically”. They have been trying for years now to convince Netflix, even with the best shows they offer, that the most successful movies on streaming services are those that have had a robust theatrical release. AMC’s refusal to bend its rules for Netflix is a strategic move to maintain leverage and protect its business model, hoping to convince the streaming giant of the value of a traditional release.^[1]

This distinct and often tense relationship with Netflix stands in sharp contrast to the cooperative and financially intertwined bond AMC shares with Disney.

Disney’s influence: When Mickey moves, AMC feels it

In stark contrast to its relationship with Netflix, AMC enjoys a powerful and symbiotic partnership with Disney. Adam Aron openly acknowledges the critical role Disney’s content plays in AMC’s success, stating, “If Disney is a big movie, AMC is going to be really full.” And if Disney has a flop movie or a series, AMC is going to really feel the same.

This simple statement underscores the profound influence of a single studio’s box office performance on the world’s largest movie theater chain. Unlike Netflix, Disney has consistently embraced long, exclusive theatrical runs for its major blockbusters. Hits from its various studios, including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm, fill AMC’s screens and drive a significant portion of its revenue. The theater chain’s quarterly performance is, therefore, directly tied to the success of Disney’s film slate.

Can this tension be sustained, or will one model ultimately prevail and reshape the future of cinema? Let us know in the comments below.