IMAX announced that its 2025 global box‑office receipts totaled $1.28 billion, a record for the company and a 40 % increase from the $0.88 billion reported in 2024. The jump reflects a 13 % lift over the 2019 record of $1.17 billion, underscoring the company’s expanding reach across North America, China and other markets.
The surge was driven by a broader slate of local‑language releases and a growing network of 1,829 IMAX‑certified screens in 89 countries. In 2025, local‑language titles such as “Ne Zha 2” and “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” accounted for a significant share of the box‑office, illustrating the company’s strategy to capture audiences beyond Hollywood blockbusters.
While the total box‑office grew, IMAX’s other business segments continued to perform strongly. Content Solutions revenue rose 12 % to $1.1 billion, supported by new licensing deals for “Filmed for IMAX” titles, and Technology Products and Services revenue increased 8 % to $0.6 billion, driven by higher demand for premium projection and sound systems in emerging markets.
Management highlighted the company’s disciplined cost structure as a key factor behind the results. CEO Rich Gelfond noted that “2025 was truly a transformational year for IMAX in which we captured a greater share of total box office with a wider variety of releases across an expanding global footprint.” The company’s gross margin of 58 % in Q2 2025 and adjusted EBITDA margin of 43 % in Q2 and Q3 2025 indicate that the company maintained pricing power while controlling operating expenses.
Looking ahead, IMAX guided for a $1.4 billion global box‑office total in 2026, up 9 % from the 2025 record. The guidance reflects confidence in the continued growth of local‑language content and the expansion of the IMAX network, as well as expectations of sustained demand for premium theatrical experiences amid a competitive landscape that includes Dolby Cinema and other premium formats.
The company also acknowledged potential headwinds, including the possibility of content availability constraints from industry consolidation, such as the Warner Bros. Discovery and Netflix merger, and the broader economic uncertainty that could affect discretionary spending on entertainment. Despite these concerns, IMAX’s strategic focus on content diversification and network expansion positions it to capture a larger share of premium theatrical revenue.
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