Cinema chains have joined forces to invest more than $2 billion in multiplexes across the country.

But one new area of expansion seems to be non-theatrical amenities.

Emagine unveiled a podcast studio at its Birmingham, Mich., location this year.

Nicole Kidman in an AMC commercial

Nicole Kidman in an AMC commercial.AMC Theatres

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Some of the biggest films of the year have yet to premiere.

But with or without tentpole releases, theaters around the country are planning ahead for a brighter future.

An AMC Theater

An AMC Theater.Photo by Prayitno (CC BY 2.0)