CMX Cinemas, the dine-in movie theater chain known for pairing plush seating with upscale eats, is getting another plot twist: its parent company, Cinemex Holdings USA, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the second time in five years.
But don’t expect the credits to roll just yet because your neighborhood CMX isn’t shutting its doors.
Despite the filing, CMX is still showing movies, serving cocktails, and gourmet snacks as usual. The company has emphasized that its 28 locations across eight states, including Florida, Georgia, and Ohio, will remain open, employees will continue to get paid, and moviegoers won’t notice a thing.
This bankruptcy isn’t the collapse of a chain but more of a strategic break, CMX says it expects to exit bankruptcy by early fall, aiming for a full financial reboot that strengthens the business behind the scenes while keeping the show going up front.
If all this sounds familiar, that’s probably because CMX filed for bankruptcy once before in 2020, when the pandemic upended the entire cinema industry. It survived that cliffhanger and came back swinging within the same year. This time around, it’s a different story: fewer pandemic shocks, more fine-tuning for long-term sustainability.
In a year where theaters are wrestling with competition from streaming platforms and different audience habits, CMX’s focus is on experience. The focus has been put on reclining seats, full meals and cocktail service. Could this be the differentiator that helps it weather the storm once again?
For movie fans, the takeaway is simple: your local CMX is still open, the summer blockbusters are still playing, and yes, you can still get that truffle popcorn with a side of sliders. Bankruptcy or not, the show must (and will) go on.