IMAX® Claims Massive 20% Share of
Global Debut for Christopher Nolan Masterpiece on Only 740 Screens
Worldwide
NEW
YORK, July 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX
Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) exploded to one of the Company's biggest
weekends ever at the global box office on the strength of
Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer",
delivering a massive $35 million
debut on only 740 screens worldwide. The stunning figure
represented IMAX's biggest share ever of a film's global opening
weekend box office with 20% of total receipts. Shot with IMAX Film
Cameras, Universal Pictures' "Oppenheimer" set several IMAX records
at launch, including:
- Biggest July opening weekend ever, Global and Domestic
- Biggest opening weekend of 2023, Global and Domestic
- Biggest opening weekend ever for a Christopher Nolan film, Global and Domestic
"'Oppenheimer' is an undeniable demonstration of a paradigm
shift in moviegoing, with IMAX taking a commanding share of global
box office as audiences show a clear preference for experiences
that transcend the ordinary in cinema," said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. "As he has done
throughout his career, Christopher
Nolan pushed the boundaries of IMAX technology to deliver
unforgettable storytelling with 'Oppenheimer' and audiences are
responding in numbers we've not seen in our 50-year history."
In North America, "Oppenheimer" opened to $21.1
million — an IMAX-record 26.2% of the Domestic box office from
only 411 screens. The figure marked a whopping $51,000 per screen average for the film at IMAX
locations in the United States and
Canada.
Internationally, "Oppenheimer" opened to $13.9 million — 14.8% of the box office on only
329 screens. The performance was even more notable given several
markets have yet to open the film, including China, South
Korea, Italy, and
Greece. Remarkably, "Oppenheimer"
scored the biggest IMAX opening weekend ever in a diverse
collection of markets including Mexico, India, Argentina, Saudi
Arabia, Turkey,
Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New
Zealand, and Czech
Republic. Thirty-four international markets overall posted a
top-five all-time IMAX opening weekend with the film.
"Given the strength of our pre-sales, the 'A' CinemaScore, and
the historical multiples of Christopher
Nolan's films, we believe this is just the beginning of what
'Oppenheimer' can accomplish at the global box office," Gelfond
continued. "Around the world, we've seen sellouts at 4:00 a.m. shows and people travelling hours
across borders to see 'Oppenheimer' in IMAX 70mm — this is a
phenomenon beyond compare in IMAX and we're just getting
started."
Written and directed by Christopher
Nolan, "Oppenheimer" was shot in IMAX® 65mm and 65mm
large-format film photography including, for the first time,
portions in IMAX® black and white analogue photography.
"Oppenheimer" will continue its three-week window run across the
global IMAX network, both domestically and internationally.
"Oppenheimer" headlined a historic weekend for IMAX, with its
global network scoring $46.4 million
worldwide — the fourth best weekend box office ever for IMAX. In
China, Maoyan's "Creation of
the Gods 1: Kingdom of Storms" debuted to $8.6 million in IMAX — an IMAX-record 16.6%
of the debut for a local release and IMAX's biggest ever summer
opening weekend for a Chinese film.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines
proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create
experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world
you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing
IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways,
making IMAX's network among the most important and successful
theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the
globe. Streaming technology company SSIMWAVE, an IMAX subsidiary,
is a leader in AI-driven video quality solutions for media and
entertainment companies.
IMAX is headquartered in New
York, Toronto, and
Los Angeles, with additional
offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of March
31, 2023, there were 1,711 IMAX systems (1,631 commercial
multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 68 institutional)
operating in 87 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China
Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."
IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In
IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D
Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX™, IMAX LIVE™, IMAX
Enhanced™, IMAX nXos®, SSIMWAVE® and Films to the Fullest®, are
trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that
are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various
jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may
also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax),
Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax),
YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies) and LinkedIn
(www.linkedin.com/company/imax).
For additional information please contact:
Investors:
Jennifer
Horsley
jhorsley@imax.com
Media:
Mark Jafar
mjafar@imax.com
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SOURCE IMAX Corporation