Belgium-based Kinepolis has acquired the U.S. Showcase Cinemas circuit from Harbor Lights Entertainment (formerly National Amusements). Showcase operates 13 movie theaters, including seven in Massachusetts, four in New York, one in Ohio and one in Rhode Island.
The deal includes ownership of six movie theaters, with the remaining movie theaters being operated under lease agreements. The acquisition is expected to be completed by the end of the summer.
Controlled by the Ellison family, Harbor Lights was founded after David Ellison acquired National Amusements from Redstone.
With this agreement, Kinepolis will add 164 screens to its portfolio, which includes 122 cinemas around the world, for a total of 1,314 screens. According to Kinepolis, the upscale Showcase Cinemas had about 4 million visitors in 2025 and generated more than $90 million in revenue. In addition to enhanced food offerings, the Showcase Cinema features multiple premium large screens and 80% of the auditorium is equipped with stadium-style reclining seats. The theater will continue to operate under the Showcase brand.
“This acquisition allows us to expand our presence in the U.S. market from Michigan to the East Coast, with assets and a team that can execute on Kinepolis’ operating model and corporate strategy, ultimately enhancing the moviegoer experience in these markets. Additionally, this acquisition provides a valuable real estate position, with further redevelopment and optimization opportunities to be explored in the future,” Kinepolis Group CEO Eddie Duquesne said in a statement.
In Europe, Kinepolis operates 63 cinemas in Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland, 35 in Canada and 24 in the United States.
