1830 ET - The box office is finally getting healthier after the numbers achieved in the second half of 2024, CEO Adam Aron says on a call with analysts. The movie-theater operator still isn't ultimately where it needs to be, as the first quarter will again be slow, but the company expects 2025 to look more like the 2H of 2024 rather than the 1H, the executive says. Early projections indicate that the number of wide release films in 2025 could increase by around 17%, which represent another step toward pre-pandemic output levels, Aron says. Overall, during the current year, AMC expects the box office to strengthen each successive quarter after going through a historically quiet period in the first quarter. Sequels to "Wicked" and "Zootopia" are expected to boost AMC results to close out 2025, he adds. Shares rise 1.2%, to $3.31. (sabela.ojea@wsj.com; @sabelaojeaguix)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
February 25, 2025 18:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
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