Cinemark Holdings, Inc.
Company History
Cinemark History: Founding, Growth & Key Milestones
Founded 1984 in Plano, Texas
When was Cinemark founded?
Cinemark was founded in 1984 in Plano, Texas by Lee Roy Mitchell, making it 42 years old.
- Founded
- 1984
- Founding place
- Plano, Texas
- Founders
- Lee Roy Mitchell
- Headquarters today
- Plano, Texas
- Milestones documented
- 12 (1977–2026)
- Current CEO
- Sean Gamble
- Acquisitions
- 5
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1977 | Cinemark name first used |
| 1987 | Plitt theaters acquired |
| 1993 | Entry into Latin America |
| 2006 | Century Theatres acquisition |
| 2007 | NYSE IPO |
| 2009 | Cinemark XD launched |
| 2013 | Rave Cinemas deal closed; Mexico sold |
| 2017 | Movie Club launched |
| 2020 | Pandemic closures |
| 2022 | Sean Gamble becomes CEO |
| 2025 | Best post-pandemic year |
| 2026 | First $1 billion quarter |
- Where was Cinemark founded?
- Cinemark was founded in Plano, Texas in 1984.
- Who founded Cinemark?
- Cinemark was founded by Lee Roy Mitchell.
- When did Cinemark start?
- Cinemark was founded in 1984.
- How old is Cinemark?
- Cinemark is 42 years old as of 2026.
Founding Story
Cinemark's roots go back to the 1960s, when brothers J.C. and Lee Roy Mitchell ran Mitchell Theatres in Texas. Lee Roy Mitchell began operating theaters under the Cinemark name in 1977, and the business merged with Texas Cinema Corporation in 1979 to form a 25-theater circuit in Texas and New Mexico. After selling that circuit to Plitt Theatres in 1980, Mitchell kept building, and Cinemark (dating its founding to 1984) bought Plitt's theaters back in 1987. It built multiplexes in fast-growing suburban and mid-sized markets, opened the larger Tinseltown USA concept in the 1990s, and entered Latin America with a six-screen theater in Santiago, Chile, in 1993.
Founders
Lee Roy Mitchell
Lee Roy Mitchell has worked in movie exhibition since the 1960s, when he and his brother J.C. Mitchell ran Mitchell Theatres, later Texas Cinema Corporation. He began operating theaters under the Cinemark name in 1977 and merged them with Texas Cinema in 1979. Plitt Theatres bought that circuit in 1980, but Mitchell kept building, and in 1987 Cinemark acquired all of the Plitt theaters. Under his leadership, Cinemark built multiplexes in growing suburban and mid-sized markets, developed the Tinseltown USA concept, and expanded into Latin America starting with Chile in 1993. He served as CEO for many years and remains chairman of the board.
Key Milestones
Cinemark name first used
Lee Roy Mitchell began operating theaters under the Cinemark name. In 1979, it merged with Texas Cinema Corporation to form a 25-theater circuit in Texas and New Mexico.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgPlitt theaters acquired
Cinemark bought all of Plitt Theatres, which had acquired the original Cinemark circuit in 1980. Cinemark USA, Inc. also began operating that year.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgEntry into Latin America
Cinemark opened a six-screen theater in Santiago, Chile. It entered Mexico in 1994 and Brazil in 1997.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCentury Theatres acquisition
Cinemark completed its purchase of San Rafael, California-based Century Theatres on October 5, 2006. The deal added more than 80 theaters and made Cinemark the third-largest U.S. exhibitor.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgNYSE IPO
Cinemark Holdings, Inc. listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CNK in April 2007.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgCinemark XD launched
Cinemark opened its first XD (Extreme Digital) premium large-format auditorium at Century San Francisco Centre 9.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgRave Cinemas deal closed; Mexico sold
Cinemark closed its $240 million purchase of Rave Cinemas' 32 theaters and 483 screens and agreed to sell its Mexican theaters to Cinemex.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgMovie Club launched
Cinemark launched Movie Club in December 2017, a U.S. monthly subscription that includes one ticket per month and concession discounts.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgPandemic closures
On March 18, 2020, Cinemark temporarily closed all 345 U.S. theaters. Revenue for 2020 fell to $686.3 million.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgSean Gamble becomes CEO
Sean Gamble, who had joined Cinemark as CFO in 2014, became CEO on January 1, 2022, succeeding Mark Zoradi.
Source: en.wikipedia.orgBest post-pandemic year
Cinemark reported $3.115 billion in revenue, $138.2 million in net income, and 193 million attendees for 2025.
Source: sec.govFirst $1 billion quarter
Q2 2026 revenue reached $1.086 billion, and Movie Club passed 1.5 million members.
Source: ir.cinemark.comMajor Acquisitions
Plitt Theatres
1987Cinemark bought all of Plitt Theatres, which had acquired the original Cinemark circuit in 1980.
Century Theatres
2006Announced in August 2006 and completed on October 5, 2006, using cash and stock. The deal added more than 80 theaters, strengthened Cinemark in Northern California, and brought it into Alaska, Nevada, South Dakota, and Washington.
Muvico Theaters (four theaters)
2009Bought four large Muvico theaters in Maryland and Florida, including Arundel Mills Egyptian 24 and Palace 20 in Boca Raton.
Rave Cinemas
2013Announced in November 2012 and closed on May 29, 2013. Added 32 theaters and 483 screens in 12 states, including a larger presence in New England.
Rave Cinemas Baldwin Hills Crenshaw 15
2014Cinemark bought this Los Angeles theater in June 2014.
Keep researching Cinemark
Cinemark Company History FAQ
When was Cinemark founded and where was its first multiplex opened?
Cinemark was founded in 1984 in Texas and Utah by Lee Roy Mitchell, opening its first multi-screen theatres in small and mid-sized markets across Texas and the American West.
When did Cinemark introduce the 'Front Row Joe' mascot and Tinseltown megaplexes?
In 1988, Cinemark introduced its beloved animated mascot 'Front Row Joe', and in the 1990s launched its signature 'Tinseltown' and 'Hollywood USA' megaplex concepts with tiered stadium seating.
When did Cinemark expand internationally into Latin America?
Cinemark launched its international division in 1993 with a modern multiplex in Santiago, Chile, rapidly expanding to become the leading cinema exhibitor in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.
When did Cinemark acquire Century Theatres and complete its IPO on the NYSE?
Cinemark acquired Century Theatres for $681 million in 2006 and completed its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in April 2007 under ticker symbol CNK.
When was the premium Cinemark XD brand launched?
Cinemark launched its proprietary Cinemark XD (Extreme Digital Cinema) brand in 2009, expanding it into the world's most successful exhibitor-branded premium large format with over 280 screens globally.
When did Cinemark launch Cinemark Movie Club?
In December 2017, Cinemark launched Movie Club, the first exhibitor monthly subscription program in the US, growing it to over 1.3 million paid members.
When was Sean Gamble appointed CEO of Cinemark?
Sean Gamble was appointed President and CEO on January 1, 2022, leading the company through post-pandemic box office recovery, Laser projection rollout, and alternative content expansion.
What is Cinemark's standing in global entertainment today?
Today, Cinemark is a $3+ billion global exhibition giant operating over 500 theatres and ~5,700 screens across 42 US states and 13 Latin American nations, delivering high-quality cinematic experiences to hundreds of millions of moviegoers.
When was Cinemark founded?
Cinemark was founded in 1984 by Lee Roy Mitchell in Texas. Unlike competitors who fought over expensive real estate in Los Angeles or New York, Mitchell grew the company by building massive multiplexes in underserved mid-sized cities.
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