Cineplex Entertainment
Cineplex Inc. (TSX: CGX) is Canada's largest motion picture exhibitor and a diversified media and entertainment company that operates cinemas, location-based entertainment (LBE) venues, and advertising services across the country.[1][2] Founded through a series of mergers and acquisitions tracing back to early 20th-century exhibitors, Cineplex evolved into its modern form following the 2003 combination of Loews Cineplex's Canadian operations with Galaxy Entertainment and subsequent expansions, including the 2013 acquisition of Empire Theatres that established it as the nation's sole coast-to-coast operator.[3][3] As of mid-2025, the company manages approximately 172 cinemas encompassing over 1,600 screens alongside 16 LBE sites such as The Rec Room, which feature gaming, dining, and live events to broaden revenue beyond traditional film exhibition.[2][4] Cineplex has achieved prominence through innovations like VIP theaters, IMAX partnerships, and alternative content programming, while reporting record concessions revenue and a 38% surge in media sales in early 2025 amid post-pandemic recovery.[5] However, it has faced notable controversies, including a 2024 Competition Tribunal ruling imposing a $38.9 million fine for deceptive online ticketing practices that concealed a $1.50 booking fee until checkout, prompting an appeal by the company.[6] Earlier, a failed 2020 acquisition attempt by Cineworld led to Cineplex securing nearly $1 billion in damages after the deal collapsed amid pandemic disruptions.[7] These events underscore ongoing antitrust scrutiny in Canada's concentrated cinema market, where Cineplex holds about 75% of box office share.