Belgium-based company Kinepolis has acquired the Showcase Cinemas circuit in the U.S. from Harbor Lights Entertainment (formerly National Amusements). Showcase runs 13 cinemas including seven in Massachusetts, four in New York, one in Ohio and one in Rhode Island.
The agreement includes ownership of six cinemas, while the others are operated under lease agreements. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of summer.
Controlled by the Ellison family, Harbor Lights was created after David Ellison acquired National Amusements from the Redstones.
The pact gives Kinepolis 164 screens to add to its portfolio that includes 122 cinemas worldwide, for a total of 1,314 screens. The high-end Showcase Cinemas saw approximately four million visitors in 2025, according to Kinepolis, which generated over $90 million in revenues. In addition to enhanced food offerings, the Showcase Cinemas offer multiple premium large format screens and 80% of their auditoriums feature stadium-style reclining seats. The cinemas will continue to operate under the Showcase brand.
Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group, said in a statement, “This acquisition allows us to expand our market position in the U.S. from Michigan to the East Coast with an asset and a team that enable us to implement Kinepolis’ operational model and corporate strategy, ultimately enhancing the experience for moviegoers in these markets. Furthermore, this acquisition provides a valuable real estate position, with future opportunities for further redevelopment and optimization being explored.”
In Europe, Kinepolis operates 63 cinemas in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland, as well as 35 locations in Canada and 24 in the United States.
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