The cinema industry had reason for anxiety coming into 2023. Movie theatres had just passed through their first year of full operation since 2019. Fortunately, this year turned in a unique blend of successes that injected some much-needed optimism into the broader industry.

Wonka, the Timotheé Chalamet-led prequel, took home the top spot for the final weekend of December 2023. It raked in $22.6 million while Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom secured the second spot over the weekend with $18.2 million. The family film Migration came in third with $17.0 million.

AMC Entertainment, the largest movie theatre operator in North America, had reason to celebrate a strong 2023. Unfortunately, the stock was throttled after the company moved forward with a 1-for-10 stock split back in August. Shares of AMC Entertainment have now plunged 80% year-over-year as of close on Friday, December 29.

Investors in the cinema business still have some strong takeaways as we reflect in the New Year. Barbie took home the top spot in 2023, raking in $636 million at the domestic box office. Meanwhile, The Super Mario Bros. Movie secured second place, generating $574 million in domestic revenue. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Oppenheimer rounded out the top five, each bringing in over $300 million.

AMC and its peers will hope to start the year off strong. Some of the promising releases in January include Night Swim, Mean Girls, and Memory.