Established in 1920, AMC Entertainment is the second largest movie theatre chain in the US behind Regal Entertainment. It operates 346 multiplex theaters, largely in North America, with a total of 5,034 screens. In recent years, the company has been expanding steadily into global markets owning about a dozen theatres in China (Hong Kong), France, and the UK. Headquartered in Kansas City, AMC a privately held company and owns about 25% of MovieTickets.com. The company bought rival Loews Cineplex in 2006, significantly boosting its holdings. In 2010 AMC filed an IPO, its third attempt at a public offering since the mid-2000s.

China's Dalian Wanda Group and AMC Entertainment announced May 21, 2012 a $2.6 billion deal to take over AMC, forming the world's largest cinema chain.