AMC Theatres Postpones Bebe Rexha, Paris Hilton, Kim Petras and Maren Morris Live Concert Simulcasts, Citing Summer Box Office Rebound

AMC Theatres has decided to delay its "AMC Girls Night Live" concert simulcast series, a move prompted by an unexpectedly strong summer box office season. The event, which was originally scheduled to feature performances from Bebe Rexha, Paris Hilton, Kim Petras, and Maren Morris, was being organized in partnership with Arena One. The cinema chain, which operates over 900 locations globally, cited blockbuster hits like "Backrooms," "Scary Movie," and "Obsession" as key drivers of the surge in ticket sales. Additionally, highly anticipated releases such as "Toy Story 5" have kept audiences flocking to theaters. According to AMC, domestic box office results have "exceeded or met expectations" consistently throughout 2026, signaling a robust recovery for the exhibition industry. This trend has been a welcome shift for a sector that struggled during the pandemic, with chains like Regal and Cineworld also benefiting from a steady stream of high-profile releases.

The rescheduled simulcasts are now expected to take place later in 2026, with all previously purchased tickets being fully refunded. Initially, the series was set to kick off on June 17 with Bebe Rexha, followed by Paris Hilton on June 18, Kim Petras on June 19, and Maren Morris on June 20. AMC has reaffirmed its commitment to the Arena One partnership, stating, "We look forward to announcing updated dates and additional artists in the weeks and months ahead." The concerts were designed as alternative content to complement traditional movie ticket sales, but the current box office boom—up more than 13% year-over-year—has reduced the immediate need for such programming. Industry analyst Sarah Thompson noted, "The post-COVID recovery has been uneven, but AMC's decision reflects a strategic pivot to maximize revenue during peak periods." This approach mirrors tactics used by other cinema chains, such as Regal and Cineworld, which have increasingly turned to live events to diversify their offerings. For context, the O2 Arena in London, one of the busiest entertainment venues globally, has also seen a rise in simulcast events, highlighting a broader trend in the industry.

By moving the concert series to a later date, AMC can also offset a potentially weaker film slate in the latter half of 2026, aligning the events with periods of lower theatrical demand. This strategy echoes a broader industry trend where cinemas use live events and alternative content to fill gaps between major releases. The "Girls Night Live" series was initially designed to attract younger, female audiences—a demographic that has shown growing enthusiasm for experiential entertainment. Paris Hilton, a pop culture icon known for her 2000s reality TV stardom and DJ career, and Maren Morris, a Grammy-winning country artist with hits like "My Church," were expected to broaden the series' appeal. Meanwhile, Bebe Rexha, whose 2017 single "Meant to Be" spent a record 50 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart, and Kim Petras, a German pop singer who made history as the first openly transgender woman to win a Grammy in 2023, were set to bring a mix of chart-topping hits and high-energy performances to the big screen. The postponement allows AMC to fine-tune the lineup and potentially add more artists, ensuring the series makes a bigger impact when it finally debuts. This flexibility could prove crucial as the company navigates an evolving entertainment landscape, where consumer preferences for live, in-person experiences continue to grow.