Imax Adds 25 AMC Locations Thanks to ‘Star Wars,’ ‘Deadpool’ Box Office Performance
Citing strong first-quarter box office growth, Imax and AMC Theatres are expanding their joint revenue sharing arrangement with 25 more Imax sites at AMC theaters.
The theaters are expected to open beginning this year through 2019 at both existing and new AMC locations, with the majority of the Imax at AMC theaters launching within the next two years. The cities include New York, Los Angeles and Houston, as well as “strategic” smaller-tier markets that AMC and Imax believe present further growth opportunities.
The agreement brings AMC’s total Imax commitment to 185 theaters. AMC, which is owned by China’s Dalian Wanda, is the largest Imax exhibitor in North America.
“Today’s deal is a further indication of the continued growth opportunities for Imax in North America — where our box office grew by 87% in the first quarter, fueled by blockbuster titles such as ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ ‘Deadpool’ and ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,'” said CEO Richard L. Gelfond. “More than ever, audiences are seeking premium and differentiated offerings and, together with AMC, we will continue to deliver guests what we believe to be the best out-of-home entertainment experience for today’s biggest event movies.”
Adam Aron, AMC’s CEO and president said, “We are committed to growing Imax at AMC and expect to remain Imax’s largest U.S. partner for many, many years to come.”
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