MUMBAI: IMAX Achieves $100 Million Box Office Milestone in the fourth quarter that ended 31 December, 2009. A first for the company and an approximate 225% increase over last year’s fourth quarter box office of approximately $31 million. Fourth quarter DMR gross box office results include the approximate $54 million generated from Twentieth Century Fox’s Avatar. DMR gross box office of Hollywood DMR titles shown in the worldwide IMAX network increased 108% to a record $270 million compared to $130 million in fiscal 2008.
"Our strong 2009 box office results reflect the compelling film slate put together, our aggressive network expansion and increased productivity in many of our existing theatres," said IMAX Corporation CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "We consistently delivered approximately 10% of the box office, on average, of any major title in our network this year on less than 3 percent of the screens. We look forward to our 2010 film slate with great anticipation, and are pleased to kick off the year with the juggernaut, Avatar, which opens in China this week."
"The combination of many of the best and coolest titles Hollywood has to offer and audience enthusiasm for the IMAX brand is a great one-two punch that has driven ticket sales at existing and new IMAX locations. We look forward to continuing to deliver significant value to our studio and exhibitor partners," said IMAX Filmed Entertainment chairman and president Greg Foster. "We appreciate those that have contributed to our significant growth, look forward to announcing more titles for 2010 and beyond in the weeks and months ahead, and working closely with both new and long time partners as we bring The IMAX Experience to more moviegoers around the globe."
"IMAX has always added a special level of excitement to studio titles, but now the significant contribution to overall Hollywood box office is an undeniable indication of the importance of IMAX in the release of any potential blockbuster. Simply put, if it’s not in IMAX, it’s probably not an event film," said Hollywood.com president box-office division Paul Dergarabedian, "When 230 screens in 2009 can deliver $270 million in worldwide box office, this says very clearly that moviegoers prefer to experience event-type films in the premium IMAX format."
In addition to the strength of IMAX DMR titles, the Company’s original documentary, Under the Sea 3D, produced in partnership with Warner Bros., was released in February of 2009 and generated worldwide gross box office of approximately $25 million as of year-end. The Company will release its next original title, Hubble 3D, also in partnership with Warner Bros., in limited release in March 2010, and wide release in April 2010.
The Company’s announced 2010 film slate includes: Avatar, Alice in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek Forever After, Toy Story 3, Twilight Saga, Inception and Tron Legacy.
