Cineplex president and CEO Ellis Jacob has announced his retirement, set for Dec. 31, 2026.

According to a June 27 release, Jacob (pictured) will continue to lead the company and aid in the leadership transition.

Prior to his leadership at Cineplex, Jacob was head of integration for media company Alliance Atlantis Communications and co-founded Toronto-based entertainment company Galaxy Entertainment. He has been at the helm of Cineplex since 2003, following its creation as a result of a merger between Loews Cineplex Entertainment’s Canadian operations and Galaxy Entertainment. He serves on several boards including Cineplex and Boat Rocker Media.

Recently, Jacob was one of the recipients of the Academy Board of Directors’ Tribute Award at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards, and over his career has been recognized with the Order of Canada (2010) and the Order of Ontario (2020).

“After thoughtful consideration, I welcome this next chapter. For decades, I have been focused on making Cineplex a great Canadian company, and I move forward with immense pride in what we’ve built for generations of Canadian movie fans who come to us for those magical moments of escape that can only be found in a true theatre experience,” said Jacob in a statement.

“I remain committed to working with the board and the talented team at Cineplex during this transition period and have unwavering confidence in Cineplex’s bright future.”

Cineplex’s Q1 2025 results in May saw revenues of approximately $263.5 million, a 10.3% year-over-year decrease from $294.8 million in the same period last year.

Photo by Adam Coish