What happened Several things help explain why the stock of AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE: AMC) is up more than 400% so far in 2021, including a retail trading frenzy from Reddit users. But today, shares of the movie theater operator are getting a boost from hope the business itself is about to accelerate, and are trading up about 9.5% as of 12:45 p.m. EDT. So what Last night's Academy Award ceremony probably got investors thinking that the prospects of the company are heading in the right direction. Even though streaming leader Netflix won the most Oscar awards in the ceremony with seven new trophies, the winning picture as well as the film with the winning best actor both have more theater releases coming. And a big-name actor is also touting the theater experience. Image source: Getty Images. Now what Investors in AMC have been waiting for consumers to return to theaters. The company said last month that virtually all of its U.S. theaters had reopened. As the vaccination rollout continues, international locations will follow suit. And more movie fans will likely want to see the films that took home the Oscars last night on the big screen. Best picture winner Nomadland was simultaneously released to streaming and in theaters. And The Father, with best actor winner Anthony Hopkins, began a limited release in New York City and Los Angeles and is still rolling out in theaters outside the U.S. F9, the latest installment of the Fast & Furious franchise is scheduled to be released on June 25, and star Vin Diesel put out a promo trailer pushing fans to see it in theaters. "There's nothing like that moment when the lights go down, the projector ignites, and we believe," he said while narrating the film's trailer. Investors today seem to be betting that there is pent-up demand from audiences and AMC will benefit as moviegoers go back to theaters. 10 stocks we like better than AMC Entertainment HoldingsWhen investing geniuses David and Tom Gardner have a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the newsletter they have run for over a decade, Motley Fool Stock Advisor, has tripled the market.* David and Tom just revealed what they believe are the ten best stocks for investors to buy right now... and AMC Entertainment Holdings wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of February 24, 2021 Howard Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Netflix. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.Source