An Open Letter to AMC in Rockford: Packed Theaters Lead to Empty Promises

I will try my hardest not to come across as a complainer, but come on, AMC Theaters.

Black Friday isn't only one of the busiest shopping days of the year; in 2024, it was also one of the busiest movie-going days.

That's because a few significant releases were bringing film fans and families looking for something to do some great options.

Anticipating Wicked – A Family Tradition

My wife and I, along with our youngest son, were eagerly anticipating the screening of Wicked, the film adaptation of the incredibly successful Broadway musical that has earned over a billion dollars worldwide.

I saw it in New York City years ago, and I knew I was going to see it when it came to theaters.

We were a bit apprehensive at first, but after reading reviews and hearing very positive word of mouth, we decided to see the movie.

If you're reading this and live in Rockford, you know we're not exactly spoiled for choice regarding movie theaters.

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We've got AMC Showplace 16 in Rockford, AMC 14 in Machesney, and the Lindo Theaters in Freeport.

Lindo, by all accounts, has the best seating but is not the closest option for many Rockford residents.

That means you have 16 or 14 options. We opted for 16, and the place was packed.

The Chaos of Black Friday at AMC

Moviegoers were excited to see Wicked and Moana 2, which made the place an absolute zoo.

AMC's oversight of the busy day was evident when they ran out of water. This was not just a minor inconvenience, but a significant oversight that left many of us disappointed.

As someone who doesn't usually indulge in soda, I always buy a bottle of water when I go to the movies. So, when I ordered my popcorn and found out that there was no water available, it was a bit disappointing. I didn't make a fuss, but it did affect my movie experience, especially since I could have brought my own water if I had known.

We Expect Better, AMC

How does a theater, especially one as prominent as AMC, run out of water on a busy day? It's not the end of the world, but it's certainly disappointing. We, as customers, expect better from you.

Don't get me started on the state of theater, either. That's a story for another time.