AMC Theatres confirmed on August 24 that AMC Kips Bay 15, the 15-screen multiplex on Second Avenue near East 31st Street, will close at the end of 2026 after the property owner exercised its contractual right to terminate the theater’s lease before its scheduled expiration. The theater, which opened in 1999 and became an AMC location in 2006, is the chain’s second-largest multiplex in Manhattan.
Key Takeaways
- AMC Kips Bay 15 will close by the end of 2026 after the property owner, Kips Bay Development Ltd., moved to terminate the lease early.
- The 15-screen theater on Second Avenue is AMC’s second-largest multiplex in Manhattan, behind the Empire 25 in Times Square.
- The theater opened in 1999 and has served the Kips Bay, Murray Hill, and surrounding East Side neighborhoods for nearly three decades.
- New York State Assemblyman Keith Powers said he is in discussions with colleagues to explore options for preventing the closure.
- Reports have circulated that NYU Langone Health may be planning to expand onto the site at 570 Second Avenue.
A Lease Termination, Not a Business Decision
The closure is not the result of AMC pulling out of a struggling location. The theater chain made clear in its statement that the property owner initiated the termination, exercising a contractual right built into the lease. AMC framed the closure as an external decision, not a reflection of the theater’s commercial performance. Industry sources have noted that AMC Kips Bay 15 continued to deliver solid grosses despite a reputation for deferred maintenance in parts of the building.
The property at 570 Second Avenue is owned by Kips Bay Development Ltd., according to New York City records. AMC has not disclosed additional details about the timeline or the landlord’s plans for the space, but reports circulating since the announcement have pointed to NYU Langone Health as a potential occupant. The hospital system, which operates a major medical campus nearby, has been expanding its footprint on the East Side of Manhattan in recent years. NY1 has reported reaching out to NYU Langone for comment, though no confirmation of expansion plans has been made public.
A formal closure date has not yet been set. AMC said only that it expects the theater to continue operating through the end of 2026, with more details to follow in the coming months.
The Theater Filled a Distinct Role in Manhattan’s Moviegoing Landscape
AMC Kips Bay 15 was not just another multiplex. With 15 screens and an IMAX auditorium, the theater offered one of the widest selections of films on the East Side of Manhattan. For residents of Kips Bay, Murray Hill, Gramercy, and the surrounding neighborhoods, the location served as a practical alternative to the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, which draws heavy tourist traffic, and the AMC 34th Street 14 near Madison Square Garden, which sits in one of the city’s most congested commercial corridors.
The theater opened in 1999, during a period when multiplex construction in Manhattan was still expanding. AMC took over operations in 2006 and maintained the location as a reliable mid-Manhattan venue for mainstream releases, independent films, and special screenings. Its 15 screens made it the second-largest AMC location in the borough, trailing only the 25-screen Empire theater in Times Square.
Without AMC Kips Bay 15, the chain will continue to operate eight Manhattan locations: AMC Empire 25, AMC 34th Street 14, AMC Lincoln Square 13, AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9, AMC Village 7, AMC Orpheum 7, AMC 19th St. East 6, and AMC 84th Street 6. None of those theaters sit in the immediate Kips Bay or Murray Hill area, leaving a gap on the East Side between Midtown and the East Village.
Social Media Reaction Turned the Announcement Into a Citywide Conversation
News of the closure spread rapidly after Bilge Ebiri, a film critic for New York Magazine and Vulture, posted about it on X. Ebiri’s post, which included early speculation that NYU Langone’s hospital expansion was behind the lease termination, triggered a wave of responses from New York moviegoers, film industry figures, and neighborhood residents.
Janus Films, the distribution company known for its catalog of classic and international cinema, posted a single-word reaction mourning the news. Other users called for a “save Kips Bay” rally, urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to intervene, and shared personal memories of attending premieres, going on first dates, and spending weekend afternoons at the theater. The tone ranged from genuine grief to dark humor, with one commenter suggesting the Brooklyn Navy Yard be converted into a replacement AMC location.
Moviegoers who spoke to NY1 outside the theater on August 25 described AMC Kips Bay 15 as a cultural institution. One regular said the theater had been part of the neighborhood since it opened and called on residents to organize and communicate with their elected representatives. Another said the loss was about more than movies, describing the theater as a gathering place for the community.
Elected Officials Have Begun Responding
New York State Assemblyman Keith Powers, who represents parts of Manhattan’s East Side, said on social media that he is in talks with colleagues about potential options to prevent the closure. Powers described the potential loss as significant for the Kips Bay neighborhood and the broader area.
Whether any legislative or regulatory mechanism could alter the outcome remains unclear. The lease termination appears to be a private contractual matter between AMC and the property owner, and New York City does not currently have a legal framework for blocking the closure of a commercial tenant under those circumstances. Any intervention would likely require negotiation with the landlord or a broader zoning or land-use discussion if the site is slated for redevelopment.
The Closure Fits a Larger Pattern in Manhattan’s Theater Landscape
AMC Kips Bay 15 is not the first Manhattan multiplex to face displacement by real estate pressures. Over the past decade, several mid-sized theaters in the borough have closed as landlords pursued higher-value commercial or residential uses for their properties. The economics of Manhattan real estate have made it increasingly difficult for movie theaters, which require large floor plates and generate lower revenue per square foot than many competing uses, to hold onto prime locations.
The closure also comes at a time when the theatrical exhibition industry is navigating a post-pandemic landscape in which audience habits have shifted. While blockbuster releases continue to draw large crowds, midweek attendance and smaller-release turnout have not fully recovered to pre-2020 levels. Theaters in dense urban markets like Manhattan have been somewhat insulated by foot traffic and population density, but the combination of lease pressures and evolving consumer behavior continues to reshape where and how New Yorkers watch movies.
For AMC Kips Bay 15, the final months of 2026 will serve as both a countdown and an informal farewell. The theater’s formal closure date has not been announced, but its screens will remain active through the end of the year, giving the neighborhood one last stretch of the moviegoing experience that has been part of Kips Bay since 1999.
FAQs
When Is AMC Kips Bay 15 Closing?
AMC Kips Bay 15 is expected to close by the end of 2026. A formal closure date has not yet been announced. AMC said details are still being finalized and will be shared in the coming months.
Why Is AMC Kips Bay 15 Closing?
The property owner, Kips Bay Development Ltd., exercised its contractual right to terminate the theater’s lease before its scheduled expiration. AMC did not initiate the closure. Reports have speculated that NYU Langone Health may be planning to expand onto the site, though no confirmation has been made public.
What AMC Theaters Are Still Open in Manhattan?
After AMC Kips Bay 15 closes, AMC will continue to operate eight Manhattan locations: AMC Empire 25, AMC 34th Street 14, AMC Lincoln Square 13, AMC Magic Johnson Harlem 9, AMC Village 7, AMC Orpheum 7, AMC 19th St. East 6, and AMC 84th Street 6.
