|
Harry
Potter and the Goblet of Fire Shatters IMAX Records 11/23/05
Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire Shatters IMAX Records With Magical
Opening Weekend In IMAX(R) Theatres Warner Bros. Film Posts Biggest Three
Day Opening and Highest Per-Screen Average for an IMAX Hollywood
Simultaneous Release
NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation and
Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Harry Potter and the Goblet of
Fire: The IMAX Experience opened to sellout crowds and shattered every
record for an IMAX Hollywood simultaneous release. In its debut at 66
North American IMAX(R) theatres, the film posted the biggest three-day
opening ever, beating the previous record by more than 30%, with an
estimated $2.93 million in grosses over the three-day period from Friday,
November 18 to Sunday, November 20, for a per-screen average of more than
$44,000. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience set the
record for the highest per-screen average, highest opening day at $1.06
million, and also set single-day box office records for Friday, Saturday
and Sunday for an IMAX digitally re-mastered release.
The film also opened strongly in several key international territories,
with IMAX theatres in the UK, Mexico, and Asia reporting numerous sold-out
shows. The total box office grosses from the nine international IMAX
theatres that opened the film this weekend are estimated to be $276,000.
The film is scheduled to launch in 17 more IMAX theatres, bringing the
total worldwide theatre count to 92.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience is already
showing signs of continued demand. IMAX theatres in markets across the
U.S. are already reporting sold-out shows or strong advance sales into the
second weekend, when the film will be sharing its screen-time with the
re-release of the box office smash hit The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D
Experience.
"We are tremendously pleased with the opening weekend results for
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in both IMAX and conventional
theatres," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at
Warner Bros. Pictures. "The unique experience that IMAX theatres
offer moviegoers is generating incremental revenue for our event films,
proven by this giant record-setting opening weekend and advance ticket
sales at IMAX theatres. We look forward to continued success as we enter
the holiday season."
"Warner Bros. Pictures has done a masterful job in turning a
magical story into a captivating film, and executing a flawless marketing
and distribution campaign, which has resulted in record-breaking grosses
as well as advance ticket sales throughout the IMAX theatre network -
providing an excellent indication of the box office legs of the
movie," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and
Bradley J. Wechsler. "Warner Bros. has consistently delivered
fantastic films to the growing IMAX theatre network, and we're thrilled
that our partnership is continuing to get more people out of their homes
and back into theatres to experience the greatest movies in a truly unique
and premium way in both 2D and IMAX(R) 3D."
Added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment,
"This is a stellar beginning to a very exciting holiday season in
IMAX theatres. Our partners at Warner Bros. Pictures have once again
delivered a terrific film adventure that lends itself perfectly to The
IMAX Experience(R). We are delighted to see that new audiences, the
tech-savvy demographic of 15-to-24-year old males, as well as enchanted
Harry Potter fans, are returning to IMAX theatres in record numbers to
experience Harry's latest magical adventure."
New North American multiplex-based IMAX theatres experienced sold out
shows virtually all weekend and are already selling into the second
weekend. Some highlights include:
- The Jordan Commons Megaplex 17 IMAX theatre in Salt Lake City, Utah,
enjoyed its first simultaneous release, selling out virtually every show
Friday through Sunday, including the midnight show on Thursday night. The
recently opened theatre, owned by Larry H. Miller, the owner of the Utah
Jazz, has also reported sold out shows into next week.
- In St. Louis, Missouri, the Wehrenberg Ronnie's 20 Cine multiplex
launched its IMAX theatre with the film's release on Friday, and sold out
every show Friday through Sunday, including the midnight show on Thursday
night.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience will be joined
by The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience in IMAX theatres beginning
Wednesday, November 23rd for an exclusive IMAX-only encore engagement.
About IMAX Corporation
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMAX) is the
newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the world's
leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX delivers the world's best
cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR(R)
technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for
virtually any 35mm film to be transformed 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. As of September 30, 2005, there were 261 IMAX theatres
operating in more than 38 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), The IMAX Experience(R) and An IMAX 3D
Experience are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the
Company can be found at www.imax.com.
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 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, the performance of films, the
viability of new businesses and products, and fluctuations in foreign
currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market.
These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004
and in the subsequent reports filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
SOURCE IMAX Corporation
-0- 11/22/2005 |