Moviegoers Continue to Indulge in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: IMAX  7/25/05

Moviegoers Continue Indulging in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Imax Experience

Sky High Satisfaction Ratings Drive Film's Legs and Strong Second Weekend in IMAX(R) Theatres

NEW YORK, New York, July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience continued to record impressive results during its second weekend in IMAX(R) theatres, grossing approximately $1.46 million over the three-day period from Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24. This ranks as one of the best second weekends for an IMAX Hollywood simultaneous release, and follows on one of the highest grossing opening weeks for a digitally re- mastered title -- all while sharing IMAX screens with Batman Begins: The IMAX Experience. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience has now grossed an estimated cumulative total of $5.5 million over 10 days in 66 domestic IMAX theatres, for a per screen average of more than $79,000.

"Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is generating some of the best audience response we've ever seen from a digitally re-mastered release -- which is driving strong word of mouth and the legs of the film in IMAX theatres," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We're seeing that consumers are returning to IMAX theatres again and again this summer to experience two of the season's biggest blockbusters in IMAX's format."

Continued Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, "We've been very fortunate to have two amazing event films back- to-back and the feedback from audiences and IMAX theatre operators has been tremendous. We also couldn't be more pleased with the early box office performance of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience, which is surpassing our expectations and establishing itself as one of our most successful digitally re-mastered releases."

Research conducted at numerous IMAX theatres during the opening weekend of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience shows high satisfaction ratings and excitement surrounding the film. Of those surveyed, 92% were extremely or very satisfied with their experience viewing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The IMAX Experience. Additionally, 45% purchased tickets at least a few days prior to seeing the movie -- nearly double the average for IMAX's previous digitally re-mastered titles -- indicating that moviegoers are moving earlier to guarantee their seats to see Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX's larger than life format.

Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, a Zanuck Company/Plan B Production of a Tim Burton Film: Johnny Depp stars in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, based on the book by Roald Dahl, and also starring Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter, Noah Taylor, Missi Pyle, James Fox, with Deep Roy and Christopher Lee. Directed by Tim Burton from a screenplay by John August, the film is produced by Brad Grey and Richard D. Zanuck. Patrick McCormick, Felicity Dahl, Michael Siegel, Graham Burke and Bruce Berman executive produce. Director of photography is Philippe Rousselot, A.F.C./A.S.C. Production designed by Alex McDowell. Edited by Chris Lebenzon, A.C.E. Costume designer is Gabriella Pescucci. Music by Danny Elfman. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and in select territories by Village Roadshow Pictures. This film is rated PG by the MPAA for "quirky situations, action and mild language." www.chocolatefactorymovie.com/AOL: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

SOURCE IMAX Corporation

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