Fandango Aims to Revolutionize Moviegoing Amid Industry Challenges

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Fandango is positioning itself as a comprehensive solution for movie enthusiasts, moving beyond ticket sales to incorporate digital content and customer services. CEO Kevin McIntosh, who joined the company in 2022 after leading NBC Sports Next, discussed the future of the company at the annual exhibition industry trade show this week.

Fandango has broadened its portfolio significantly, now owning Rotten Tomatoes, a film review aggregator, and Vudu, which has been rebranded as Fandango at Home for purchasing and renting digital films. Additionally, McIntosh has introduced a concessions pre-order program aimed at enhancing the customer experience while reducing wait times at theaters.

“Theaters haven’t really benefited from investment in technology like other industries have,” McIntosh said, highlighting an ongoing issue where cinemas lag behind other sectors. He noted that only AMC has fully embraced the food pre-order technology offered by Fandango, yet results show that customers tend to spend more through the app, contributing to over $5 million in food and beverage sales for AMC alone.

Last Thanksgiving weekend, Fandango reported over half a million dollars in concession sales for AMC, showcasing a potential revenue increase. “AMC is actually seeing better performance out of our ecosystem than their own direct channels,” McIntosh claimed, suggesting the possibility of broader industry benefits if more theaters join the platform.

As Fandango celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the company has also faced significant challenges, including the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent Hollywood strikes that severely impacted film production. “As we sit here, it’s historically one of the worst March’s of all time for the box office,” McIntosh stated, reflecting on the current difficulties.

Looking towards the future, McIntosh sees hope in upcoming summer releases like “Jurassic World Rebirth” and “Avatar: Fire and Ash.” He believes that theaters need to innovate beyond traditional movie offerings. “If we have a great movie this weekend, it’s wonderful. And if we don’t, we’re like, woe is me. We’ve got to create the demand,” he sought to emphasize.

To bridge this gap, he suggested that theaters consider alternative content like live sports or concerts to increase attendance. “There’s got to be more creativity to find more potential content partners,” McIntosh said.

In an effort to unify the customer experience, Fandango recently launched the Fandango FanClub, a subscription service that offers discounts on tickets and special deals. The initiative quickly attracted tens of thousands of members. “That’s going to be the program that kind of ties it all together,” McIntosh noted, hinting at plans to further enhance home entertainment offerings.

Ultimately, McIntosh envisions Fandango as an all-encompassing entertainment platform catering to various customer needs across theaters and streaming services. “Whether you want to go to a theater or want to rent something in your home, we’ve got the answer for you,” he concluded.