AMC Montgomery 16 takeover of Bethesda ArcLight Cinemas includes expanded menu

The new AMC Montgomery 16 cineplex hasn't even opened yet at Westfield Montgomery Mall, and the menu at the concessions stand has already expanded. Where former owner ArcLight Cinemas had few food options beyond chicken tenders and flatbread pizza, the standard AMC Theatres concessions menu is now on display behind the snack bar. AMC took over the lease at the shuttered ArcLight in January.

Pictured on the screens are AMC's Bavarian Legend Pretzel, Mac Bites (macaroni-and-cheese balls), Pretzel Bites, mozzarella sticks, and Curly Fries. Of course, there is also a hot dog. And if chicken tenders and flatbread pizza were always part of your movie experience at this theater, AMC has their own versions of those on the menu.

Like all AMC theaters, popcorn will be their industry-best-selling Perfectly Popcorn. That recipe is so popular, AMC is now going to sell it as a retail product. Last week, the chain showed it was deadly serious about this venture by hiring a former Frito-Lay executive to take charge of retail popcorn sales.

AMC logos are now appearing on flatscreens in the former ArcLight lobby. They are also on ticket machines, indicating AMC software is being installed. Large signs posted above the theater entrance doors promise a "New Experience" that is "Coming Soon." According to AMC, "soon" is next month.

AMC Theatres taking over shuttered ArcLight Cinemas at Montgomery Mall

AMC Theatres is officially taking over the shuttered ArcLight Cinemas movie theater at Westfield Montgomery Mall. The chain will revive the abandoned cineplex as AMC Montgomery 16. This will be a major shot in the arm for the mall, especially after Spider-Man: No Way Home proved that moviegoers will return to theaters when studios give them a reason to, despite the ongoing pandemic that caused ArcLight to permanently close its theaters nearly a year ago.

ArcLight Cinemas parent files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy

Pacific Theatres, parent company of ArcLight Cinemas, has filed for Chapter 7 bankrupcy. The news comes a few weeks after cash-flush AMC Theatres announced it was considering taking over the best-performing cineplexes in the now-defunct ArcLight chain. What does this mean for the potential of AMC acquiring the Bethesda ArcLight location at Westfield Montgomery Mall?

Current conditions at the Bethesda
ArcLight Cinemas

The bankruptcy filing is concerning, because it regards a liquidation of assets from ArcLight - everything still in the shuttered theaters, from projectors and cash registers to seats and popcorn machines. If all of that is sold and removed, the Bethesda cineplex will no longer be a turnkey proposition for another chain to reopen. Of course, in the age of leather recliners, maybe AMC would be replacing those cloth seats anyway. I'll buy that for a dollar!

So far, AMC isn't spending as freely as it suggested; it is only making firm attempts to take over two other Pacific-owned theaters in California. If AMC wants a quick turnaround on the Bethesda ArcLight location, it will have to act before the contents of the theater are liquidated by the court. Finding a new operator for the theater has to be a top priority for the mall's ownership. Not only was the cineplex the crown jewel in the mall's recent expansion, but it was a major driver of traffic. AMC would provide the best menu and chance at continuing the bar service in the lobby, and Regal Cinemas would give us Cheetos popcorn, Doughlish cookie dough and Cinnabon Gooey Bites.

AMC Theatres considering acquiring "strongest" ArcLight Cinemas locations

There's a faint glimmer of hope on the horizon for the shuttered ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. Rival AMC Theatres' CEO Adam Aron said yesterday on Twitter that his chain is considering acquiring the "strongest" ArcLight locations that were recently permanently closed due to pandemic losses. Aron said the potential expansion into ArcLight locations was one reason for a recent sale of AMC stock that netted the cineplex operator $230.5 million.

The CEO did not identify which ArcLight locations he considered the strongest, but said the ArcLight option is at the very top of his list for the newly-aggressive firm. "Watch out naysayers," Aron tweeted Tuesday, "$AMC is going to play on offense again. Here we come!" 

If the Montgomery Mall ArcLight were to become an AMC, it could be a great turn of events for the mall and moviegoers alike. Without the draw of the very-expensive ArcLight addition that topped a $90 million expansion and renovation over the last decade, the future of the mall is in serious question. And AMC's Dine-In theater model could easily fit into the existing setup at the ArcLight, bringing AMC's upscale entrees, milkshakes and MacGuffins Bar to the mall cineplex.

ArcLight Cinemas closing permanently at Montgomery Mall

ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall, closed since the pandemic-related shutdown of movie theaters was ordered last year, will not reopen. The permanent closure was announced in a statement by the cineplex's parent company, Decurion Corporation. This is devastating news for the future of Montgomery Mall, where the third-floor luxury cineplex was the keystone of a nearly-$100 million expansion of the retail center by Westfield over the last decade.

Montgomery Mall is in new hands after a corporate merger, and the new parent company does not share Westfield's dedication to the survival of its malls. In fact, the new company plans to sell the mall and others it owns across the country next year. 

The future of the ArcLight space at the mall is unclear. Deadline reports that Decurion has "handed the keys to the landord" at all of its cineplex locations. A new theater operator could be brought in, the theater could be demolished and renovated for more retail and restaurant space, or the cineplex could sit abandoned until the mall is demolished for redevelopment in the future.

ArcLight Cinemas Bethesda wins Governor's Crime Prevention Award

The general manager of ArcLight Cinemas in
Bethesda (second from left) holds the Governor's
Crime Prevention award received by the cineplex

ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda has won a Governor's Crime Prevention award from Gov. Larry Hogan. The cineplex was recognized for donating auditorium time on the first Wednesday of each month to the Montgomery County Police Department. Officers use the time to host a senior forum where seniors enjoy a free film, along with a presentation on tips to prevent becoming a crime victim.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R)

Police Chief Marcus Jones and other police officials attended the award ceremony, and thanked ArcLight and the other winners. The theater's general manager was on hand to receive the award. Target's Rockville store also received an award from the governor.

ArcLight Cinemas Bethesda gift shop stocked for the holidays (Photos)

For fans of Christmas and superhero movies on your holiday shopping list, you can find some unique gifts in an unlikely place - the local cineplex. The gift shop inside the lobby of ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall has a fairly sizable selection of movie-themed merchandise. Familiar faces include Clark Griswold, Buddy the Elf, and an array of Star Wars characters, superheroes and animated buffoons (not including the Montgomery County Council).

Thor: Ragnarok poster wall at ArcLight Cinemas Bethesda (Photo)

Wonder Woman still packing theaters in Bethesda

In its third weekend in theaters, Wonder Woman is still generating big box office receipts in Bethesda. Last night at ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall, a screening I attended appeared to be sold out, with every seat filled. Crowds for this movie 15 days later were larger than for opening weekend for other blockbusters, and much more diverse than for the typical superhero movie.

ArcLight is featuring Wonder Woman on the floor-to-ceiling poster wall in the lobby, and they have a few items related to the world's favorite Themysciran in the gift shop. My only disappointment is that there were no special cocktails tied in to this movie (or The Mummy); AMC had a blue Wonder Woman cocktail, so maybe they had an exclusive license?

Guardians of the Galaxy cocktails, merchandise at ArcLight Cinemas Bethesda (Photos)

Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 opened to big box office results over the weekend, and ArcLight Cinemas at Westfield Montgomery Mall has some special items to add to the movie-going experience. Two special Guardians of the Galaxy-themed cocktails are available at the bar in the lobby: Angry Little Tree, with Stoli Blueberry, black raspberry liqueur, lemon juice and Sprite is inspired by the pint-sized Groot. Or enjoy the movie with a Relax Drax cocktail, featuring Cruzan aged rum, Mt. Gay rum, Campari, and lime and grapefruit juices.

I had an Angry Little Tree, which tasted most strongly of raspberry. You can take your cocktail with you into the movie, as well.

In the lobby gift shop area, there is a decent amount of Guardians merchandise, including mugs, scented pencils, and a lunchbox. If you liked the soundtrack, you can take one home on CD because they have that also.

The only disappointing thing was that the massive floor-to-ceiling poster wall in the lobby was featuring Alien instead of Guardians, which would have been a more colorful, Instagram-ready franchise.

Doctor Strange merchandise at ArcLight Cinemas in Bethesda (Photos)

The big movie release this weekend is Marvel's Doctor Strange, starring Benedict Cumberbatch. ArcLight Cinemas' lobby gift shop in Bethesda has three tie-in products for the good doctor - a lunchbox, mugs, and sets of tumblers. Strange-ly, the lobby poster wall is featuring the Harry Potter prequel, not Doctor Strange.

The original Batman returns - today only at ArcLight Cinemas in Bethesda

To the Batcave, Robin! The original caped crusader himself, Adam West, joins with the original Boy Wonder, Burt Ward, to bring the classic 1960s Batman back to the big screen, today only at ArcLight Cinemas in Bethesda. Along with Catwoman Julie Newmar, the Dynamic Duo provide the voices in an animated reboot of the original movie and TV show Batman universe.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders finds the heroes taking on The Penguin, Catwoman, The Riddler and The Joker...all at once. The action doesn't exceed a family-friendly PG rating, however.

The movie will screen 3 times today at ArcLight at Westfield Montgomery Mall: 2:00 PM, 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM. For tickets, visit the ArcLight website.

ArcLight Cinemas with Fandango for movie ticket sales

ArcLight Cinemas, which has a 16-screen cineplex at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, has just partnered with Fandango, which sells movie tickets for 27,000 screens nationwide. The move should make it easier to buy tickets to ArcLight.

Over 100 million people have downloaded the Fandango app, and the company is the number one seller of movie tickets in America. The ticketing giant signs the deal just as it is making an aggressive move into content, with its new FandangoNOW service.

Moviegoers may benefit from the partnership in other ways beyond convenience. ArcLight says it will host special event screenings this fall that may include movie-themed parties, prizes and giveaways.

“ArcLight is a theater for movie lovers and ArcLight guests nationwide can now look to Fandango to stay on top of the latest films,” Gretchen McCourt, EVP, Cinema Programming of ArcLight Cinemas said in a statement Wednesday night. “We look forward to working closely with Fandango to grow our audience throughout the country and provide our guests convenience and ease with their ticketing experience.”

Suicide Squad cocktails and collectible popcorn tub at ArcLight Cinemas in Bethesda (Video+photos)

Count on ArcLight Cinemas in Bethesda to enhance the experience of the biggest blockbusters, with their famous poster wall in the lobby, and cocktails inspired by the films. That is true of Suicide Squad, currently number one at the box office.

The lobby bar is offering 3 custom cocktail recipes based on the movie:

Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster

Based on star Jared Leto's two-word summary of his take on the Joker, this drink is made with Casamigos Blanco tequila, Midori liqueur, and lemon and lime juices. Having tried this one myself, I give it 5 stars.

Love Addiction

Surely Harley Quinn's choice, Love Addiction is a combination of Cruzan Aged White Rum, watermelon liqueur, lime juice and honey.

Allies

Johnny Walker Black, Carpano Antica, angostura bitters, and an orange slice are allies in this cocktail.

But wait, there's more. At the concessions stand, order your popcorn in a collectible tub emblazoned with characters from the movie.

Not sure if this is the right movie for you this weekend? Watch my review before ordering tickets.