Carmike Cinemas
Carmike Cinemas was a U.S. movie theater chain founded in 1982 in Columbus, Georgia and acquired by AMC Theatres in 2016 for approximately $1.1 billion; the brand was absorbed into AMC, which now operates premium-format cinemas, loyalty programs, and concession offerings across the United States.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Carmike Cinemas does
Carmike Cinemas was a U.S. movie theater chain founded in 1982 in Columbus, Georgia, that grew to operate one of the largest theater networks in the country with over 2,000 screens across multiple states. The company positioned itself as a leader in digital cinema and 3-D cinema deployments before being acquired by AMC Theatres in 2016 for approximately $1.1 billion, a transaction that added approximately 295 theaters and 2,954 screens to AMC's network. Following the acquisition, Carmike ceased to exist as an independent publicly traded company (previously NASDAQ: CKEC), and its operations were largely absorbed into the AMC Theatres brand.
The current product and operations data describes AMC Theatres' combined network, which serves mass-market U.S. moviegoers through traditional exhibition, premium large-format experiences (IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema at AMC, PRIME at AMC, RealD 3D, XL at AMC, Laser at AMC), the AMC Stubs loyalty program, the $17.99 AMC Popcorn Pass subscription, AMC On Demand streaming, private theatre rentals, and specialty programming strands such as AMC Artisan Films, AMC Thrills & Chills, and AMC Screen Unseen. The iOS and Android mobile app carries a 96% positive App Store rating and supports ticket purchasing, food ordering, and showtime browsing.
Revenue is generated primarily through ticket sales, food and beverage concessions, subscription passes (AMC Popcorn Pass at $17.99 for 50% off daily large popcorn through 12/31/26), and loyalty memberships (AMC Stubs Insider and A-List tiers). Distribution is predominantly domestic U.S.-based through physical theater locations, the amctheatres.com e-commerce site, and the mobile app, with content extensions via Fathom Entertainment and The Metropolitan Opera for alternative programming.
Carmike Cinemas firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Carmike Cinemas
- Legal name
- AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
- Website
- https://carmike.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Carmike Cinemas was a U.S. movie theater chain founded in 1982 in Columbus, Georgia and acquired by AMC Theatres in 2016 for approximately $1.1 billion; the brand was absorbed into AMC, which now operates premium-format cinemas, loyalty programs, and concession offerings across the United States.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Carmike Cinemas industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Movie Theater Exhibition
- NAICS
- Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins) (512131), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Cinema Chains & Multiplex Operators (MPADAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Cinema Concessions & On-site F&B Operations (MPADAKAN), Cinema Advertising & On-screen Media Networks (MPADAKAO), Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG)
Keywords
Where Carmike Cinemas is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Carmike Cinemas business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Carmike Cinemas product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Carmike Cinemas operated a network of movie theaters in the United States, offering movie exhibition, food and beverage concessions, and premium viewing experiences including digital and 3-D cinema formats. Following its 2016 acquisition by AMC Theatres, the Carmike locations and operations have been integrated into the AMC Theatres network under AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
Product overview
AMC Theatres operates a cinema exhibition business offering movie tickets, concessions, and premium viewing experiences. The core product is traditional movie theatre exhibition, supported by premium large-format experiences including IMAX at AMC, Dolby Cinema at AMC, PRIME at AMC, RealD 3D, XL at AMC, and Laser at AMC. The AMC Stubs loyalty program (with Insider and A-List tiers) and AMC Popcorn Pass subscription provide customer retention and recurring revenue. Additional offerings include AMC Artisan Films and AMC Thrills & Chills specialty programming, Private Theatre Rentals, AMC On Demand streaming, and the AMC Theatres mobile app for ticket purchasing and food ordering. Fathom Entertainment provides alternative content including Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. The ecosystem is complemented by AMC Scene entertainment content and AMC NFT digital collectibles.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AMC Stubs: AMC's loyalty program offering rewards and discounts to moviegoers
- AMC Artisan Films
- AMC Thrills & Chills
- AMC On Demand
Products and services
- Movie Exhibition Services Core movie theater exhibition service showing theatrical releases in physical theater locations across the United States. Theatrical screening of films for consumer audiences.
- Gift Cards
- AMC Merchandise Online merchandise store offering branded products and film collectibles to consumers.
- Food and Beverage Concessions In-theater food and beverage concession services including popcorn, snacks, and drinks sold at theater locations.
- Private Theatre Rentals Private auditorium rental service for corporate events, birthday parties, and special occasions.
Companies that use Carmike Cinemas
Customer profileIdeal customer profiles2 records
Carmike Cinemas technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Carmike Cinemas partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves4 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Carmike Cinemas competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cinemark Holdings: US-based movie theater chain operating hundreds of screens across multiple states, offering comparable exhibition services, premium formats (e.g., XD), and loyalty programs directly comparable to Carmike's offerings.
- Marcus Theatres: Regional US cinema operator with multiplex locations and premium large-format screens (UltraScreen DLX), competing with Carmike in Midwest markets with comparable film exhibition and concession services.
- Regal Cinemas (Cineworld): One of the largest US cinema chains operating multiplex theaters with comparable ticket, concession, and premium-format offerings; directly competes with Carmike/AMC locations for moviegoers in overlapping US markets.
Others
- IMAX Corporation: Technology and exhibition partner/specialist; Carmike/AMC deploy IMAX auditoriums, so IMAX is a comparable premium-format revenue driver and a structural reference point for high-end cinema experiences.
- National Amusements: Privately held cinema operator and parent of Paramount Global; comparable as a private/holding-company cinema exhibitor with multiplex operations relevant to Carmike's pre-acquisition independent operator profile.
Emerging players
- Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Specialty cinema chain known for dine-in theaters, curated programming, and a strong digital/app ticketing experience; competes with Carmike/AMC for adult and programming-conscious moviegoers.
- Studio Movie Grill: Dine-in movie theater concept competing for premium moviegoing occasions with comparable in-theater F&B and reserved seating models relevant to Carmike's premium format push.
Regional players
- Harkins Theatres: Privately held regional US cinema chain with multiplexes and premium large-format screens (Cine 1), overlapping with Carmike's footprint in select US states with comparable exhibition services.
- Showcase Cinemas: Multiplex cinema operator with US locations, offering comparable exhibition, premium formats, and concession services that overlap with Carmike's positioning in select regional markets.
Broad incumbents
- AMC Theatres: Parent company of Carmike Cinemas since the 2016 acquisition; the largest US movie theater chain with overlapping cinema exhibition services, premium formats, loyalty programs, and mobile/digital infrastructure directly comparable to what Carmike operated.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Carmike Cinemas social profiles
Digital presenceCarmike Cinemas financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Carmike Cinemas leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Carmike Cinemas subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Carmike Cinemas funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Carmike Cinemas M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Carmike Cinemas
What does Carmike Cinemas do?
Carmike Cinemas operated a network of movie theaters in the United States, offering movie exhibition, food and beverage concessions, and premium viewing experiences including digital and 3-D cinema formats. Following its 2016 acquisition by AMC Theatres, the Carmike locations and operations have been integrated into the AMC Theatres network under AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
Is Carmike Cinemas a public or private company?
Carmike Cinemas is a public company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Carmike Cinemas founded?
Carmike Cinemas was founded in 1920. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Carmike Cinemas based?
Carmike Cinemas is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Carmike Cinemas's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cinemark Holdings, Marcus Theatres and Regal Cinemas (Cineworld). Others are IMAX Corporation and National Amusements. Emerging players are Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and Studio Movie Grill. Regional players are Harkins Theatres and Showcase Cinemas. AMC Theatres is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Carmike Cinemas have an API?
No public API is recorded for Carmike Cinemas.
What industry is Carmike Cinemas in?
Carmike Cinemas's product category is Movie Theater Exhibition. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADAKAA, Cinema Chains & Multiplex Operators, with a secondary code of MPADAKAN, Cinema Concessions & On-site F&B Operations. Its NAICS code is 512131 and its SIC code is 7830.