Cinemex
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Cinema chain |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Founder | Adolfo Fastlicht, Miguel Angel Dávila Guzmán, Matthew Heyman |
| Headquarters | Mexico City , Mexico |
Area served | Mexico, United States |
| Products | Multiplex movie theaters, premium dine-in cinemas (CMX brand) |
Cadena Mexicana de Exhibición S.A. de C.V., commonly referred to as Cinemex, stands as a prominent Mexican cinema chain operating multiplex theaters in key urban centers such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Toluca, Cd. Juarez, Leon, Tijuana, Mexicali, and Puebla.
Beginning in 2015, Cinemex ventured into the American market under the CMX brand, emphasizing upscale cinema experiences. Its expansion continued in 2017 with the acquisition of Cobb Theatres, elevating it to the position of the eighth-largest cinema chain in the United States.
History
Cinemex was established by Adolfo Fastlicht, Miguel Angel Dávila Guzmán, and Matthew Heyman following the enactment of the 1992 Mexican Cinematography Law, which facilitated the development of larger movie theaters. They identified Mexico City as an ideal location for launching premium cinemas.
In 1994, the founders obtained $21.5 million in equity funding from JPMorgan Partners and Chicago’s Bluhm family, representing one of Mexico’s most significant venture capital investments at that time.
The inaugural Cinemex venue, Cinemex Altavista, commenced operations on August 2, 1995. This was succeeded by additional flagship theaters through 1997, including Cinemex Santa Fe and Cinemex Manacar.
In June 2002, Oaktree Capital Management purchased Cinemex for $250 million; two years later, ownership transferred to a group comprising The Carlyle Group and Bain Capital.
In 2008, MMCinemas acquired Cinemex from AMC Entertainment for $315 million.
By 2013, Cinemex had introduced MX4D technology at select sites and announced intentions to acquire the Mexican branches of U.S.-based chain Cinemark, receiving regulatory clearance later that year.
That same year, Cinemex secured a decade-long exclusive license for RealD 3D technology across its theaters.
In 2015, both Cinemex and its rival Cinépolis were fined by the Instituto Nacional Electoral for continuing to broadcast political advertisements from the Ecologist Green Party of Mexico despite regulatory prohibitions.
U.S. operations
In 2015, Cinemex revealed plans to enter the U.S. market by launching premium dine-in cinemas, including a site at American Dream in New Jersey. The following year marked the opening of its first U.S. location under the CMX: The VIP Cinema Experience brand at Miami’s Brickell City Centre. In October 2017, Cinemex declared its intention to acquire Cobb Theatres through CMX Cinemas, thereby becoming the eighth-largest cinema operator in the United States with a portfolio of 30 venues.
On March 16, 2020, CMX reached an agreement to acquire ten theaters plus one in development from Star Cinema Grill. However, owner Omar Khan initiated legal action alleging CMX breached their contract by failing to complete the transaction by March 26 amid disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 25, facing pandemic-related challenges, CMX filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, resulting in closure of ten underperforming locations and initial difficulties renegotiating agreements with landlords and film studios. After six months of discussions, CMX exited bankruptcy in December with landlords consenting to revised revenue-sharing lease arrangements.
On July 1, 2025, CMX Cinemas again filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, reporting assets valued between $100,000 and $500,000 and liabilities below $50,000. The company is currently pursuing options to either liquidate assets or cease operations at remaining sites.
Locations
| Name | City | Opening date |
|---|---|---|
| CMX Pinnacle 14 | Gulf Shores, Alabama | July 22, 2005 |
| CMX Hollywood 16 & IMAX | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | November 5, 2004 |
| CMX Lakeside Village 18 & IMAX | Lakeland, Florida | December 22, 2005 |
| CMX Merritt Square 16 & IMAX | Merritt Island, Florida | May 21, 2004 |
| CMX Dolphin 19 & IMAX | Miami, Florida | May 25, 2001 |
| CMX Miami Lakes 17 | Miami Lakes, Florida | June 29, 2000 |
| CMX Downtown In The Gardens | Palm Beach Gardens, Florida | November 23, 2005 |
| CMX CinéBistro Hyde Park | Tampa, Florida | October 16, 2009 |
| CMX Grand 10 | Winter Haven, Florida | November 15, 2002 |
| CMX CinéBistro Stony Point | Richmond, Virginia | October 22, 2010 |
| CMX Plaza Café 12 | Orlando, Florida | December 12, 2010 |
| CMX Village 14 | Leesburg, Virginia | July 23, 2011 |
| CMX Countryside | Clearwater, Florida | December 16, 2011 |
| CinéBistro Waverly Place | Cary, North Carolina | September 4, 2015 |
| CMX CinéBistro and CMX Liberty | Liberty Township, Butler County, Ohio | November 5, 2015 |
| CMX CinéBistro Siesta Key | Sarasota, Florida | February 12, 2016 |
| CMX Tyrone 10 | St. Petersburg, Florida | April 15, 2016 |
| CMX Daytona 12 | Daytona Beach, Florida | December 12, 2016 |
| CMX Wellington | Wellington, Florida | December 15, 2016 |
| CMX CinéBistro CityPlace Doral | Doral, Florida | March 17, 2017 |
| CMX Brickell Dine-In | Miami, Florida | April 2017 |
| CMX Market Cinemas Closter | Closter, New Jersey | January 2018 |
| CMX Fallschase | Tallahassee, Florida | July 27, 2018 |
| CinéBistro Peachtree Corners | Peachtree Corners, Georgia | March 8, 2019 |
| CMX CinéBistro Halcyon | Alpharetta, Georgia | September 27, 2019 |
| CMX CinéBistro Tysons Galleria | McLean, Virginia | January 27, 2023 |