Regal Owner Cineworld Nears Bankruptcy as Theater Comeback Lags

Cineworld Group PLC, the owner of Regal Cinemas, is preparing to file for bankruptcy within weeks after struggling to rebuild movie-theater attendance from pandemic lows, according to people familiar with the matter.

The London-based cinema company has engaged lawyers from Kirkland & Ellis LLP and consultants from AlixPartners to advise on the bankruptcy process, these people said. Cineworld is expected to file a chapter 11 petition in the U.S. and is also considering filing an insolvency proceeding in the U.K., they said.