Today, Cineplex Inc. (“Cineplex” or the “Company”) reported its highest ever April box office for the first ten days of the month, reaching over $30 million in box office revenues, compared to $14 million in 2019 for the same period. The blockbuster performance of The Super Mario Bros. Movie this past weekend, which generated $204.6 million at the domestic box office over its 5-day weekend and set a record for an animated title in its opening weekend, was a key driver to our box office success.

Cineplex welcomed 1.1 million guests over the three-day Easter holiday weekend, making it the busiest weekend so far in 2023. This weekend also saw Amazon’s theatrical release, Air, delivering strong attendance among adults. While “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” enjoyed a healthy percentage of Cineplex’s box office, other titles including “John Wick: Chapter 4,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” and “Air” brought meaningful contributions to Cineplex’s overall box office results. In addition, “Avatar: The Way of Water” continues to have strong legs, now in its 17th weekend, and representing Cineplex’s 10th highest grossing title.

This past weekend marked another significant milestone for the CineClub subscription program as it reached 100,000 members. Launched in August 2021, the entertainment subscription program is the first of its kind in Canada and has been successful in increasing and driving frequency in attendance. The steady and consistent growth in CineClub’s membership is another indication of consumer demand for movie-going.

“The success of these record-breaking results demonstrates a point you’ve heard me say in the past – when there is compelling content, consumer enthusiasm for theatrical moviegoing is as strong as ever. The success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie is just another example of strong consumer demand for seeing great films on the big screen,” said Ellis Jacob, CEO & President, Cineplex. “As we move forward, we are encouraged about the steady flow of content, including the commitment streamers are making to theatrical. We are excited about the strong results we are witnessing in April as it reflects a healthy box office across an expansive range of films and genres. We look forward to many more highly anticipated films set to hit the big screen over the next few months including “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” “Fast X,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Spider-man: Across the Spider-Verse,” “Indiana Jones 5 and the Dial of Destiny,” “Mission: Impossible 7 Dead Reckoning Part One,” “Oppenheimer,” “Barbie,” and many more,” Jacob concluded.

March 2023 Box Office
In the month of March, Cineplex reported box office revenues of $41 million, which amounts to 65 per cent of box office revenues generated during the same month in 2019. This followed encouraging results in January and February, where in each month the Company’s box office reached 88 per cent of 2019 levels for the same month, leading to aggregate quarterly results of $123 million or 79 per cent of 2019.

The top three leading film performances during March included John Wick: Chapter 4, Creed III, and Scream VI, all generating more domestic box office revenues in their opening weekend than any previous version in their respective franchises in the pre-pandemic periods, clearly demonstrating strong consumer demand. These three titles represented a combined 45 per cent of Cineplex’s total box office for the month.

While these films performed well, March 2019 is a tough comparative period as it included Captain Marvel which opened in early March and generated over $150 million at the domestic box office in its opening weekend and over $425 million during its full run.

Cineworld Update
On April 2, 2023, Cineworld Group plc (“Cineworld”) entered into a restructuring agreement, with some of its lenders, regarding key terms of a proposed Cineworld restructuring transaction pursuant to Cineworld’s U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings (the “Cineworld Bankruptcy Proceedings”), and on April 11, 2023, Cineworld filed its proposed chapter 11 plan of reorganization (the “Cineworld Chapter 11 Plan”) in connection therewith. The proposed restructuring transaction contemplates holders of general unsecured claims (“GUC”), which includes Cineplex’s claim arising from its judgment against Cineworld of approximately $1.24 billion CDN, to the extent such claims are allowed claims in the Cineworld Bankruptcy Proceedings, receiving, in aggregate, (i) $10 million in cash and (ii) interests in a litigation trust representing a right to recovery with respect to amounts relating to certain class actions against credit card issuers (collectively, the “Recovery Pool”). The allocation of the Recovery Pool among general unsecured creditors has not yet been determined. While at this time the expected distribution amount in respect of Cineplex’s claim is not known, Cineplex does not anticipate that its recovery will be material. Given the uncertainty to date as to any potential recovery in respect of Cineplex’s claim, no amount has been accrued as a receivable in Cineplex’s financial statements.

The Cineworld Chapter 11 Plan remains subject to creditor approval and court approval. If the Cineworld Chapter 11 Plan receives the requisite creditor and court approvals and is implemented, the Cineworld Chapter 11 Plan will be binding on all affected parties, and Cineplex’s only entitlement in respect of its judgment against Cineworld will be to its allocated portion of the distributions from the GUC Recovery Pool.

Additional information in respect of the Cineworld Bankruptcy Proceedings, including copies of the Cineworld restructuring agreement and the Chapter 11 Plan, can be found at the Kroll website in respect of the Cineworld Bankruptcy Proceedings at: https://cases.ra.kroll.com/cineworld/.

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 over 170 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 a newly launched entertainment concept that brings movies, amusement gaming, dining, and live performances together under one roof (Cineplex Junxion). It also operates successful businesses in digital commerce (CineplexStore.com), alternative programming (Cineplex Events), motion picture distribution (Cineplex Pictures), cinema media (Cineplex Media), digital place-based media (Cineplex Digital Media) and amusement solutions (Player One Amusement Group). 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 and the United States. To learn more, visit Cineplex.com.