Switchblade-wielding juvenile threatens cineplex employee in Gaithersburg

Movie theater workers have it hard enough, sweeping up spilled popcorn and mopping up sticky soda after every screening for modest pay. Monday night at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg, they also had to deal with a violent customer. According to Montgomery County police, a patron at the AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18 pulled out a switchblade at 9:37 PM Monday, and threatened a theater employee. The juvenile suspect apparently escaped arrest. 

Sinners guitar case popcorn bucket available at 2 AMC Theatres in Montgomery County

Sinners, one of the biggest blockbuster movies of 2025, just set a new record in 2026 for the most Oscar nominations of all time. While an anticipated nomination haul had already spurred a return to the big screen for the vampire flick, AMC Theatres has sweetened the even-better-than-fans-expected 16 nominations celebration with a very limited-edition Sinners guitar case popcorn bucket. So limited-edition, that the chain has currently removed the collectible from its website, where some lucky fans have successfully scored one when it has intermittently appeared in the online store.

That leaves buying one the old-fashioned way as your best bet. But the guitar case is not available at every AMC cineplex. Fortunately for Montgomery County moviegoers, two AMC locations here are on the list: AMC Montgomery 16 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, and AMC Dine-in Rio Cinemas 18 at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. If they sell out there, or if it's more convenient for you, the bucket is also available at the AMC Columbia 14 in Howard County, the AMC Georgetown 14 in Washington, D.C., and the AMC Tysons Corner 16.

You may want to call ahead to confirm they still have some in stock. Tonight's showing of Sinners is already sold-out at AMC Montgomery 16. You don't have to see the movie to buy the popcorn bucket, though. Tomorrow is likely to be a no-go due to the expected impact of the winter storm that is hitting the area tonight, but tickets are still being sold for Sunday's screening as of this writing.

Jurassic World Rebirth specials at AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18 in Gaithersburg

AMC Theatres continues to be the top cineplex chain to see blockbuster movies at. They've been on a roll since before the pandemic, when they offered cocktails and free collectibles for moviegoers screening Spider-Man: Far from Home in 2019. Starting today, July 2, 2025, the AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18 theater in Gaithersburg will enhance your Jurassic World Rebirth cinema experience with a free InGen ID badge and lanyard (while supplies last with ticket purchase), a dino-size Sriracha Bavarian Legend Pretzel, and a Menacing Mix cocktail made with tropical fruit, Kraken spiced rum and a "gold dusted dehydrated pineapple slice" garnish.

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning movie tie-ins at AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18

Mission: Impossible briefcase popcorn
holder as seen at AMC Montgomery 16 in Bethesda

AMC Theatres continues to outdo itself in the movie tie-ins department, with the release of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning this holiday weekend. The MacGuffins Bar in the lobby is serving The Reckoning, a limited-edition cocktail featuring "a covert blend of spicy tequila BURSTING with juicy flavor." For agents who don't mind blowing their covers, there is a briefcase popcorn holder with a light-up Mission: Impossible logo. It sells for $50, as a combo with popcorn and drink included. Face your final reckoning at AMC Montgomery 16 at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18 in Gaithersburg, and AMC Wheaton Mall 9 at Wheaton Plaza in Wheaton.

Locally-produced film to debut in sold-out premiere at AMC Dine-In RIO Cinemas 18 tonight

It's not often that Hollywood films have their premieres in Montgomery County, but it's happening at the AMC Dine-In RIO Cinemas 18 theater in Gaithersburg tonight. Kingdom Reign, Vol. 1 will screen in two auditoriums at a sold-out red carpet event beginning at 6:00 PM tonight, March 21, 2024. The movie is set "amidst the crack epidemic of the 1980s," as the protagonist is discharged from the Marines and is forced to inherit his father's drug empire. 

Kingdom Reign, Vol. 1 stars Montgomery County resident, actor and producer Theron G. Johnson, John Canada Terrell and Angela Coates. Director Joshua Coates won the Best Director award for the movie Ageless Love at the 2021 Ridgewood Guild Film Festival.

AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18 reopening today - without the Dine-In

The AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18 movie theater will reopen today, March 26, 2021. There's just one catch: In order to comply with local pandemic restrictions, you won't be able to dine-in at the Dine-In. 

That's right, there will be no food or drink sold at this or other theaters in Montgomery County until the restriction is lifted. This is to ensure patrons do not remove their masks at any time during a screening. 

What an ironic turn of events the dining ban is, as this theater debuted a spectacular new menu of restaurant-quality food and beverages only last year. Such sales are also needed so theater operators can make a profit, especially with the costs up and the number of seats that can be filled per show down. 

So, don't forget to eat before going to the movie! Fortunately, there are plenty of options for that at Rio Lakefront. There's also a surprisingly decent line-up of movies showing today, considering how many blockbusters were kicked down the road by studios.

AMC Dine-In RIO Cinemas 18 wrapping up total renovation in Gaithersburg (Photos)

The AMC cineplex at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg has gotten a total makeover, and it's not just cosmetic. They've dropped the Loewes co-branding in favor of AMC Dine-In Rio Cinemas 18, which emphasizes the major additions of a MacGuffins Bar in the lobby and a restaurant-quality kitchen. Now you can "dine-in" at your seat on upscale burgers topped with hipster finishes like fig jam, Brie cheese(!!), arugula and Royal Sauce, outclassing many actual burger joints.

Build a burger, or try one of the
premium burger selections

Other changes you immediately notice upon entering the theater's lobby besides the bar include a new box office, and an escalator. Now you no longer have to exit the theater to access the other floor of the two-level cineplex.

Working hard on the final of
15 auditorium total renovations and
projection/sound upgrades

When i visited this week, a crew was putting the final touches on one of the auditoriums. In about two weeks, the cineplex will be one of a handful to have the latest IMAX laser projector and 12-channel sound system. The sound will hit you in the seat of the pants - literally; some auditoriums will now have 4-D rumbling seat cushions.

MacGuffins Bar

MacGuffins Bar has a TV

How are customers responding to the big changes? The cineplex is regularly selling out auditoriums, and is now ranked as AMC's second in ticket sales behind one of their Texas theaters. That's impressive. Thousands of the new burgers have already been ordered by moviegoers, and Avengers: Endgame and Godzilla: King of the Monsters have been doing blockbuster business here, the manager reports.

Would you like tater tots with that burger?

Chicken tenders come with house-made ranch and
honey dijon sauces, red coleslaw, and
garlic-cheddar buttermilk biscuits

Southwest Chicken Bowl with nachos

Or go big with Ultimate Nachos that
include house-made guacamole

MacGuffins Bar in the lobby

Special cocktails for big movies
like Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Over the Top Oreo Milkshake

Custom M&Ms Milkshake

New box office

Upper lobby stand-up for
47 Meters Down: Uncaged

Final auditorium renovation!

Leather seats in place

Coming in about two weeks:
the newest IMAX laser projector

Lighted row indicators

Can't wait to try this

You can still get traditional concessions treats
like popcorn, candy and hot dogs at the snack bar