Image: One of AMC's cinemas in New York City

Wanda Group has announced the acquisition of AMC Entertainments Holdings - one of the largest US cinema operators - in a deal worth US$2.6bn (EUR2.1bn, £1.6bn).

The purchase means that AMC has become a formal member of the China-based Wanda Group, which is now established as one of the largest cinema owners in the world.

Wanda Group's 805 screens across 94 cinemas will combine with AMC's 4,865 screens across 338 multiplex facilities - including 2,171 3D screens and 124 IMAX screens.

AMC CEO and president Gerry Lopez said: "All of us at AMC are thrilled about our future with Wanda. It allows us to continue expanding and innovating in what is the world's largest movie market.

"We strongly believe in our shared common interests in advancing the movie industry and we feel this creates one of the world's premier location-based entertainment companies."

Wanda Group chair Wang Jianlin added: "Throughout this entire process we have been impressed with the expertise and dedication of AMC's management team and associates.

"We now look forward to working with AMC's CEO Gerry Lopez and his team to invest in and build on the company's widely-recognised brand and the incomparable entertainment experience AMC offers to its millions of customer."

Click here for more information about Wanda Group's acquisition of AMC.

Image: Andreas Praefcke