IMAX Bests Previous Domestic Opening Weekend Record by More Than 25%;
Virtual Sell-Out Throughout Network
Momentum Continues With Tim Burton's Version of Classic Tale
LOS ANGELES, March 8, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) today announced that Alice in Wonderland, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway and Mia Wasikowska, posted record opening weekend results, with 188 domestic IMAX® theatres contributing $12.1 million of the film's overall opening gross of an estimated $116.2 million during the weekend from Friday March 5 through Sunday March 7, which represents an approximate 27% increase over IMAX's previous opening weekend record. The IMAX release contributed approximately 10.5% of the overall domestic box on an estimated 2.5%of the total screens, and IMAX theatres posted a domestic per screen average of $64,362.
Internationally, the film's IMAX release generated approximately $3.1 million from 53 IMAX theatres, bringing the global IMAX opening weekend total to $15.2 million. The film is scheduled to open day and date in 29 additional international IMAX theatres in the weeks ahead. The special IMAX® 3D release has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-Mastering) technology.
"Disney delivered an amazing film perfectly suited for IMAX, and this record-breaking opening weekend demonstrates that new audiences are seeking out IMAX 3D," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "We're pleased to represent so much of the overall box office on an opening weekend of this magnitude, and these terrific results reaffirm our belief that the premium IMAX Experience – and what our brand represents to consumers – cannot be replicated, and we look forward to continued success in the weeks ahead."
"We're off to a terrific start for 2010, and with the growing popularity and momentum of 3D, the timing of Alice in Wonderland is ideal, and the strong word of mouth should keep audiences filling IMAX theatres," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "The combination of Tim Burton's incredible creativity, Johnny Depp's universal appeal and the talented team at Disney has created a powerful 1-2-3 punch, and we're very excited that IMAX is a part of it."
Visionary filmmaker Tim Burton has put his distinctive touch on the combination live-action and performance capture version of Lewis Carroll's classic tale "Alice in Wonderland." The all-star cast includes Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter, Crispin Glover, Alan Rickman and Mia Wasikowska as Alice.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR® technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2009, there were 403 IMAX theatres (280 commercial, 123 institutional) operating in 44 countries.
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAXDMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, AnIMAX 3D Experience® and The IMAX Experience® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/imaxmovies">www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
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This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company's accounting, the performance of films, the signing of theatre system agreements, the viability of new technologies, businesses and products, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format, general commercial exhibition and out-of-home entertainment markets. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.