Cineplex credits Gen Z surge for record Q2 profits and attendance

Ellis Jacob, chief executive of Cineplex, highlighted a resurgence of Gen Z moviegoers as a key driver of the chain’s strong second-quarter results. The Canadian exhibitor reported record quarterly revenue of $383.7 million, a rise of nearly 10%, and net income of $7.8 million, reversing a $2.2 million loss from the prior year. Attendance climbed 9.3% to 12.7 million, helped by hits like The Odyssey, Michael and surprise horror releases such as Obsession and Backrooms.

Jacob said younger patrons are abandoning small screens, opting for social cinema trips and premium experiences like IMAX, 4DX and Ultra AVX. Cineplex also set all-time per-patron records for box-office and concession sales. While location-based entertainment revenue slipped 3.7%, the overall performance supports a positive outlook for full-year 2026. Jacob reiterated his intention to step down as CEO by the end of the year, with succession planning already underway.