Star Wars: The Force Awakens Crosses $200 Million Worldwide Box Office Milestone In Record Pace For IMAX

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced that Star Wars: The Force Awakens, released by The Walt Disney Studios, reached $200 million at the worldwide box office in 35 days, hitting the global benchmark in record time for IMAX. With $207.5 million globally, Star Wars: The Force Awakens now stands as IMAX's second-highest grossing title of all time, behind Avatar (with $243 million).

Domestically, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has amassed $120 million from 391 IMAX® theatres, while the film's international grosses reached $87.5 million from 556 locations.

"It's amazing to see how Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been embraced globally by audiences and it's no surprise to see how strong the IMAX performance has been," said Dave Hollis, Executive Vice President, Theatrical Distribution, The Walt Disney Studios. "The film looks spectacular in the digital IMAX® 3D format; it's the kind of moviegoing experience that people go to the theatre for."

"It's been an incredible ride ever since Star Wars: The Force Awakens blasted into IMAX theatres across the globe, setting numerous records and resonating with audiences the world over," said Greg Foster, Senior Executive Vice President, IMAX Corp. and CEO of IMAX Entertainment. "The IMAX presentation of The Force Awakens truly was a singular experience — with key footage in the film shot with IMAX cameras — and we could not be more proud to have been part of this historic release."

The IMAX® 3D release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shown in its digitally re-mastered format, which includes the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About IMAX CorporationIMAX, 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 theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of September 30, 2015, there were 1,008 IMAX theatres (887 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 102 institutions) in 66 countries. On Oct. 8, 2015, shares of IMAX China, a subsidiary of IMAX Corp., began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK.1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX nXos® 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(www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX 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. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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SOURCE IMAX Corporation