Kevin O'Leary is apparently done just investing in other people's dreams. The "Shark Tank" star made his big-screen acting debut in "Marty Supreme," and the early returns suggest he might have found a side hustle that actually works. The film is racking up awards buzz, breaking box office records, and could provide an unexpected lift for struggling theater chains heading into year-end.

From Shark Tank to Silver Screen

O'Leary isn't the first Shark to dabble in Hollywood. His former co-host Mark Cuban has played himself in various TV shows and even portrayed the president in "Sharknado 3" (yes, really). But O'Leary's role in "Marty Supreme" represents something more substantial than a celebrity cameo.

The film casts O'Leary as Milton Rockwell, a wealthy 1950s businessman opposite Timothée Chalamet, who plays a shoe salesman turned ping pong champion. It's the kind of quirky premise that either crashes spectacularly or becomes a critical darling. So far, it's looking like the latter.

"I didn't go to acting school. No Acting 101, no lessons, nothing," O'Leary recently tweeted about the experience. He found himself surrounded by professional actors who expected him to deliver. "Timothée snaps into character before the cameras even roll, he becomes that guy instantly, an absolute menace, which made it easy. I ripped right into him and we were off. No warm-up, no easing in, just straight to work."

Record-Breaking Numbers and Awards Buzz

Here's where things get interesting for anyone watching theater stocks. "Marty Supreme" opened in just six theaters over the weekend and pulled in $875,400. That might not sound impressive until you do the math: the per-screen average came out to $145,900, setting a new 2025 record for limited releases. It's also the highest per-screen average in distributor A24's history.

The film ranked ninth at the domestic box office despite playing in only six locations. With sold-out showings and a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the momentum is building ahead of its wide theatrical release on Christmas Day.

The awards circuit is paying attention too. "Marty Supreme" scored three Golden Globe nominations: Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Performance by a Male Actor (Musical or Comedy), and Best Screenplay. On prediction market Kalshi, the film currently has 10% odds to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, trailing only "One Battle After Another" at 76%. That's before official Academy Award nominations drop on January 22, which could provide another catalyst for ticket sales.

Why Theater Stocks Should Care

Films like "Marty Supreme" rarely top annual box office charts, but they can be surprisingly valuable for theater chains like AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC) and Cinemark Holdings (CNK). Award-worthy films with strong word-of-mouth tend to have staying power, filling seats during slower periods and attracting audiences that don't typically show up for superhero blockbusters.

The timing couldn't be better. Theater stocks could use some good news after "Avatar: Fire and Ash" opened softer than expected. The third Avatar film pulled in $88 million domestically over its opening weekend, which sounds great until you remember analysts were projecting $90 million to $105 million. It also falls well short of "Avatar: The Way of Water," which opened at $134 million.

The international numbers looked better at $257 million, which aligned more closely with expectations. Avatar films historically show strong staying power, with both previous entries crossing $2 billion globally and holding the number one spot for seven consecutive weekends. Still, a softer domestic start has investors wondering if franchise fatigue is setting in.

Looking Ahead

Despite the Avatar disappointment, theater chains remain optimistic. AMC CEO Adam Aron stated after third quarter results: "We expect the fourth quarter industrywide box office will turn out to be the highest-grossing fourth quarter in six years. We also continue to believe that the size of the 2026 box office will be dramatically larger than that achieved in 2025."

The 2026 slate does look promising. The lineup includes the first Star Wars film since 2019 with "Mandalorian and Grogu," plus "Toy Story 5," "Avengers: Doomsday," and other major franchises. Between "Avatar: Fire and Ash" likely showing the franchise's characteristic staying power and "Marty Supreme" delivering unexpected awards-season momentum, theater chains might actually close out 2025 stronger than anticipated.

Who knew Kevin O'Leary's acting debut would be more than just a curiosity? If the film continues its trajectory through awards season, it could end up being one of the better investments for theater stocks this year.