Cineworld files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in US

UK-based cinema chain, second-biggest in the world, hit by lockdowns, audience slump and debt from Regal theatres takeover

Britain's Cineworld, the world's second-biggest cinema chain, has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US as it seeks to restructure after facing low audience numbers.

The group operates 751 movie theatres including more than 500 in the United States, more than 100 in Britain and Ireland, and others across Europe and Israel. It owns the Picturehouse chain in Britain and Regal cinemas in the US.