Skip to main content

AMC CEO actually wants to allow texting in movie theaters

Looking for a way to attract more millennials into the movie theater, AMC Entertainment CEO Adam Aron is considering the possibility of allowing moviegoers to keep their smartphones active during a movie in order to send text messages. Detailed in an interview with Variety, Aron is looking into a couple options. One option would be to set aside an area of the theater for people that constantly want to send text messages. The other option would be to setup specific text-friendly showings of a film so anyone in the theater could text away.

Explaining his reasoning for the potential policy change, Aron said “When you tell a 22-year-old to turn off the phone, don’t ruin the movie, they hear please cut off your left arm above the elbow. You can’t tell a 22-year-old to turn off their cellphone. That’s not how they live their life. 

Recommended Videos

He continued “At the same time, though, we’re going to have to figure out a way to do it that doesn’t disturb today’s audiences. There’s a reason there are ads up there saying turn off your phone, because today’s moviegoer doesn’t want somebody sitting next to them texting or having their phone on.”

It’s unclear how text-friendly theaters would be conveyed to consumers that want to avoid those showings. It’s likely that the majority of people attending a film would prefer not to be disturbed by the glowing light of a smartphone. Outside of texting, this policy change would likely open up the opportunity for movie goers to play games on their mobile devices as well as interact with social networks like Instagram during the movie.

At the moment, AMC is currently attempting an acquisition of Carmike Theaters. If the takeover is successful, AMC Entertainment will become the largest movie theater chain in the entire world. However, the company still has to get the approval of the Justice Department as well as a vote of approval from Carmike’s shareholders.

Mike Flacy
By day, I'm the content and social media manager for High-Def Digest, Steve's Digicams and The CheckOut on Ben's Bargains…
3 underrated Netflix shows you should watch this weekend (June 13-15)
Two teen boys talk in Heartstopper.

Netflix is a platform designed to help you watch television. There are so many options to choose from that actually deciding what you want to watch can sometimes feel a little overwhelming.

That's why we've pulled together three great shows that are all available on the streamer for you to watch now. Take your pick from among them, and trust us, you won't be disappointed.

Read more
3 underrated Netflix movies you should watch this weekend (June 13-15)
Timothee Chalamet stands near a desert wall in a still from the movie Dune: Part Two.

Netflix is filled with movies that are worth your time, but the trouble is that many of them are hard to find. If you're trying to discern which movies you should actually care about, we've got you covered.

We've pulled together a list of three great movies that you can watch this weekend. It's hot outside; take a break and enjoy one of these excellent titles:

Read more
5 sci-fi movies on Netflix you need to watch in June 2025
Kyle MacLachlan and Francesca Annis in Dune.

Netflix’s sci-fi page is light on new movies in June. Due to the lack of new entries, our recommendations are movies that have been on the streamer for months. One of our picks is Dune, the original movie adaptation from the ‘80s, not the 2020s.

If Dune isn’t your speed, try Godzilla Minus One, a masterful monster movie. The Oscar-winning film might even move you to tears. If you don’t believe me, then try it yourself along with these other films.

Read more