IMAX is on track for a potential $1.2 billion year, according to CEO Rich Gelfond. This would represent the company’s best box office performance, driven by a strong lineup of blockbuster films. Gelfond attributes the expected success to the upcoming slate of major titles, which includes a new “Mission Impossible” movie, a live-action “How to Train Your Dragon,” a new “Jurassic Park” installment, a sequel to “Zootopia,” and the third release in the “Avatar” franchise. The 2025 film calendar is shaping up to be more robust than 2024, which saw a 3.4% decline in box office receipts to $8.74 billion due to fewer theatrical releases and smaller ticket sales.
One of the biggest contributors to IMAX’s box office projection is the Chinese film “Ne Zha 2,” which has already grossed $1.6 billion globally. This marks a historic achievement as the first film to surpass $1 billion in a single country. IMAX has played a significant role in the success of the film, accounting for $135 million of its box office total. Gelfond noted that the company has already surpassed its total box office revenue from China in 2024 within the first six weeks of this year, further bolstering its outlook for 2025. He added that “Ne Zha 2” is consistently performing at a pace of around $100 million per day, with IMAX contributing approximately 13% of the film’s global receipts.
With such a strong film lineup, particularly in international markets, IMAX is poised to see impressive financial results in the coming year. The company’s specialty in high-resolution cameras, projectors, and theaters continues to resonate with audiences seeking a premium cinematic experience, making it well-positioned to benefit from the global box office resurgence.
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