Over a year prior to its theatrical debut, Apple entered into a partnership with IMAX.
This agreement allowed Apple to utilize IMAX’s innovative camera technology and secured a three-week exclusive showing in its theaters, significantly contributing to the film’s impressive nearly $300 million global earnings within the first ten days of release.
Notably, over 20% of that gross came from IMAX screenings alone. In the U.S. and Canada, IMAX theaters accounted for 25% of the film’s domestic ticket sales, a remarkable achievement considering IMAX screens comprise less than 1% of total film screens worldwide.
The success is echoed by two other films this year that also captured over 20% of market share with IMAX — Warner Bros.’ “Sinners” and Paramount’s “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.”
This trend highlights IMAX’s robust position in a rapidly changing cinematic landscape.
As consumer preferences increasingly gravitate towards premium viewing experiences, IMAX is capturing greater market share and is positioned for substantial growth in the upcoming years.
CEO Rich Gelfond anticipates that the company will achieve $1.2 billion in global box office revenues, which would represent a 33% increase from 2024 and set a record for the company, now in its 55th year. Wall Street analysts predict an even more prosperous 2026.
“Post-pandemic, many activities, particularly those that are event-based, have performed exceptionally well for premium brands,” Gelfond stated in an interview with Finance Newso. He observed that ticket prices across concerts and sporting events have risen. “People may enjoy streaming at home, but when they go out, they seek an experience that feels distinctive.”
Investor sentiment surrounding IMAX’s stock has been positive, with shares rising approximately 60% over the past year.
IMAX theaters are distinguished by their exceptionally large screens and advanced audio systems. The company does not merely exhibit films; many are shot with exclusive IMAX technology designed specifically for a superior viewing experience.
“This year, eight consecutive films in North America were captured using IMAX cameras, and box office performance tends to improve when films are shot with this technology,” noted Gelfond. “The advantages include enhanced visual and auditory experiences, coupled with strong endorsements from filmmakers who promote IMAX as the optimal way to appreciate their work.”
Notable films captured in IMAX include Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune,” and the latest installment of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise featuring Tom Cruise.
IMAX ticket prices are generally higher than standard cinema, contributing to an augmented box office revenue.
“More films made with IMAX technology lead to higher performance at the box office for IMAX presentations,” stated Alicia Reese, an analyst at Wedbush. She anticipates that margin improvements in 2025 will encourage studios to invest more in marketing campaigns, resulting in greater overall success.”
Eric Handler from Roth characterized IMAX’s challenge as a “high-class problem of too much content availability.”
Due to the three-week exclusive deal with “F1,” Universal’s “Jurassic World Rebirth” was excluded from a domestic IMAX release, appearing solely on IMAX screens in China, with plans to be showcased in Japan next month.
Looking ahead, a strong lineup of major franchises is set for release in 2025 and 2026. Upcoming films include Warner Bros.’ “Superman,” followed by Disney and Marvel’s “Fantastic Four: First Steps.” Universal’s “Wicked: For Good” will arrive ahead of Thanksgiving, while Disney’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is scheduled for release just before Christmas.
The year 2026 is expected to commence with Amazon’s “Project Hail Mary,” in addition to a new Avengers film, a theatrical release of Star Wars for the first time since 2019, a sequel to “The Super Mario Bros. Movie,” a live-action adaptation of “Moana,” along with “Toy Story 5” and “Shrek 5.” Among these will be Nolan’s upcoming feature film, “The Odyssey.”
IMAX’s box office success is attributed not only to Hollywood’s revival but also to its extensive global reach, enabling screenings of local-language films in markets such as China, Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe.
Handler highlighted the success of the Chinese film “Ne Zha 2,” which surpassed $2 billion globally and was a significant contributor to IMAX’s revenue, generating nearly $170 million from the film.
With around 1,700 IMAX screens worldwide, including about 400 in North America, Gelfond disclosed that contracts to establish approximately 500 additional screens are in place. The company poised for further expansion.
Gelfond expressed optimism about growth, stating, “We signed nearly as many new theaters this year as we did for the entirety of last year.” He indicated that more detailed updates would be provided in the upcoming earnings report, expected later this month.
Disclosure: Comcast is the parent company of NBCUniversal and Finance Newso.
