In the United States, Reading pursued a more offbeat business direction, acquiring an art-house theatre at the historic Cable Building in New York City in 1996 that operated under the name Angelika Film Center.

The company also acquired and expanded a chain of multiplex cinemas throughout the island of Puerto Rico.

[3] Cotter died in August 2014, leaving his investment in the company in trusts that have been subjected to multiple years of litigation between his designated successor CEO, his son James Jr., and his daughters (Jr.'s sisters), Ellen and Margaret.

In 2015, James Jr. was ousted by his sisters and a majority of the board of Reading International and Ellen Cotter subsequently was named CEO.

[5] In April 2024, the Wellington City Council exited the agreement, citing Reading's inability to come up with its share of the investment.