Kinepolis Expands in America with New Cinema Deal

Kinepolis, a Belgian movie‑theatre chain, has signed a $30 million contract to buy the Showcase Cinemas group in the United States. The purchase brings 13 theatres into Kinepolis’ reach, with most located in Massachusetts and New York. Six of those sites will become fully owned by Kinepolis, while the remaining ones will stay under lease agreements. The deal is slated to finish before summer ends. Showcase Cinemas was once part of National Amusements, a company that changed hands to David Ellison. Ellison now runs Harbor Lights Entertainment, the seller in this transaction. The new ownership gives Kinepolis a total of 164 screens, adding to its global tally of 1, 314 screens.

Previously, the high‑end Showcase venues welcomed about four million visitors in 2025 and earned over $90 million. The theatres feature upgraded food options, large‑screen premium formats, and stadium‑style reclining seats in most halls. Despite the change in ownership, the Showcase name will stay on the screens. Kinepolis’ CEO says the move strengthens its U. S. presence from Michigan all the way to the East Coast. He also notes that owning more real‑estate offers chances for future redevelopment. Kinepolis already runs 63 cinemas across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland. In North America it operates 35 locations in Canada and 24 in the United States.

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