Today, Cineplex Inc. (“Cineplex” or the “Company”) released its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026. Unless otherwise specified, all amounts contained in this news release are in Canadian dollars.
Q2 2026 Highlights:
- Reported the highest second quarter total revenues1 in the Company’s history of $383.7 million, an increase of 9.8% over the prior year
- Welcomed 12.7 million guests, an increase of 9.3% over the prior year
- Recorded box office revenues of $176.2 million, the highest second quarter total since 2019
- Achieved all-time quarterly record theatre food service revenues of $132.5 million, an increase of 11.7% over the prior year
- Set all-time quarterly records for Box Office Per Patron at $13.91 and Concession Per Patron at $10.26
- Recognized $20.2 million in cinema media revenue, an increase of 4.4% over the prior year
- Generated $40.8 million in Adjusted EBITDAaL compared to $33.9 million in the prior year, representing an increase of 20.4%
- Reported net income from continuing operations of $7.8 million, an improvement from $0.1 million in the prior year
- Delivered $23.8 million of adjusted free cash flow, a 41.2% increase over the prior year
- Opened Cineplex’s 17th Location-Based Entertainment venue, Playdium Vaughan
“Our second quarter results mark an important milestone in Cineplex’s growth trajectory, with our highest second quarter revenues of all time and a 20.4% year-over-year increase in Adjusted EBITDAaL,” said Ellis Jacob, President & CEO. “These record results reflect a more consistent and diverse film slate, the enduring appeal of shared entertainment experiences, and our team’s ability to capitalize on those opportunities. From younger moviegoers embracing breakout original films to families and long-time fans returning for major theatrical events, we saw strong engagement across demographics throughout the quarter. Audiences were not only coming to see great content at our theatres but were also choosing to fully immerse themselves in the moviegoing experience, contributing to record box office per patron and concession per patron results.
We also continued to showcase the versatility of our theatre network through our partnership with TSN, bringing select FIFA World Cup matches to the big screen and offering fans a unique viewing experience. Cineplex was a North American leader in presenting FIFA matches in theatres, demonstrating our ability to leverage our theatre network to deliver premium live entertainment experiences at scale.
Beyond the strong performance of our exhibition business, our Media business delivered year-over-year growth, continuing to demonstrate the value of cinema as a premium, high-attention environment for advertisers. As brands look for meaningful ways to connect with the Gen Z audience, the theatre experience offers a stronger advertising response and longer-term brand memory that is difficult to find elsewhere.
During the quarter, we also opened a new Playdium location in Vaughan, featuring an updated venue concept, which has delivered encouraging results in its early days of operation.
Over the past several years, we have remained focused on strengthening our financial position and that progress is becoming increasingly evident. The strength of our business today reflects that progress. During the opening weekend of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, supported by the continued success of The Odyssey, Cineplex achieved the highest weekend box office revenue and highest theatre food service revenue in its history, while also delivering record-breaking results across its industry-leading premium formats, including AVX, 4DX, ScreenX and VIP. Both films have now surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, and demand for The Odyssey remains exceptionally strong, with Cineplex’s eight 70mm IMAX screens continuing to sell out showtimes. These achievements underscore the enduring appeal of moviegoing as a shared experience and the power of compelling theatrical content to bring audiences together. Combined with a robust content pipeline through 2027 and improving industry fundamentals, we believe Cineplex is well positioned to deliver sustainable growth and long-term shareholder value creation. With growing EBITDAaL, improving free cash flow generation and meaningful deleveraging, Cineplex is entering its next phase from a position of strength.”
July box office is in line with the prior year despite a strong comparison period. Strong performances from “The Odyssey” and the record-breaking opening of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which contributed only one day of results to the month, helped offset comparisons against a July 2025 slate that benefited from full-month runs of “Jurassic World Rebirth” and “F1: The Movie,” as well as the record-breaking opening of “Superman.”
Key Developments in the Second Quarter of 2026
The following describes certain key business initiatives undertaken and results achieved during 2026 in each of Cineplex’s core business areas:
FILM ENTERTAINMENT AND CONTENT
Theatre Exhibition
- Reported second quarter box office revenues of $176.2 million, an increase of $17.7 million or 11.2% from $158.5 million in the prior year period. The increase was due to a 9.3% increase in attendance compared to the prior year period.
- Reported an all-time quarterly record BPP of $13.91 in the second quarter, an increase of $0.23 or 1.7% compared to the prior year period of $13.68.
- Closed one location as part of Cineplex’s portfolio optimization and rationalization strategy.
Theatre Food Service and Other
- Reported second quarter theatre food service revenues of $130.0 million, an increase of $13.7 million or 11.8% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to an increase in attendance.
- Reported an all-time quarterly record CPP of $10.26 in the second quarter, an increase of $0.22 or 2.2% compared to the prior year period, primarily due to strategic pricing initiatives, as well as an increase in purchase incidence.
- Cineplex launched its partnership with Too Good To Go, enabling guests to purchase select offerings of concession items at reduced prices, while helping to minimize food waste across Canada.
Alternative Programming and Distribution
- Cineplex Pictures (Cineplex’s distribution business) distributed Michael, which became the highest grossing film of all-time distributed by Cineplex Pictures, as well as The Furious, Power Ballad, and Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe during the second quarter.
- Continued its leadership position in alternative programming, with strong performing international films including Dhurandhar The Revenge (Hindi), Rabb Da Radio 3 (Punjabi) for which Cineplex represented over 80% of the North American box office, and Bhooth Bangla (Hindi).
- Event Cinema programming featured a variety of successful initiatives, highlighted by concert events such as three live viewings of the BTS WORLD TOUR, the finale of the viral web-series The Amazing Digital Circus – The Last Act, and The Metropolitan Opera performances, including Eugene Onegin.
- Cineplex, in partnership with TSN, screened select FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live in participating theatres between June 11, 2026, and July 19, 2026.
Cinema Media
- Reported second quarter cinema media revenues of $20.2 million, an increase of $0.9 million or 4.4% from the prior year period.
Location-Based Entertainment
- Reported second quarter revenues of $32.0 million, a decrease of $1.2 million or 3.7% compared to the prior year period.
- Reported second quarter adjusted store level EBITDAaL of $3.9 million, a decrease of $1.9 million or 32.8% compared to the prior year period.
- Opened Playdium Vaughan, in Vaughan, Ontario, on June 17, 2026.
Loyalty
- Membership in the Scene+ loyalty program was over 15 million members as at June 30, 2026.
- Scene+ launched a nationwide partnership with Shell Canada on May 26, 2026, giving members even more everyday ways to earn and redeem points.
Corporate
- Heidi Messer and Ron Wilson were elected to the Board of Directors at Cineplex’s Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders held on June 3, 2026, following Jordan Banks’ and Robert Bruce’s retirement from the Board of Directors.
About Cineplex
Cineplex (TSX:CGX) is a top-tier Canadian brand that operates in the Film Entertainment and Content, Amusement and Leisure, and Media sectors. Cineplex offers a unique escape from the everyday to millions of guests through its circuit of 169 movie theatres and location-based entertainment venues. In addition to being Canada’s largest and most innovative film exhibitor, the company operates Canada’s favourite destination for ‘Eats & Entertainment’ (The Rec Room), complexes specially designed for teens and families (Playdium), and an entertainment concept that brings movies, amusement gaming, dining, and live performances together under one roof (Cineplex Junxion). It also operates successful businesses in cinema media (Cineplex Media), alternative programming (Cineplex Events) and motion picture distribution (Cineplex Pictures). Providing even more value for its guests, Cineplex is a partner in Scene+, Canada’s largest entertainment and lifestyle loyalty program.
Proudly recognized as having one of the country’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures, Cineplex employs over 10,000 people in its offices and venues across Canada. To learn more, visit Cineplex.com.