Disney's A Christmas Carol Continues Strong Performance During Second Weekend in
IMAX(R) Theatres
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation IMAX Corporation
(Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures today announced
that Disney's A Christmas Carol, the spectacular Disney Digital 3D(TM) holiday
release from director Robert Zemeckis and starring Jim Carrey, grossed $2.9
million from 182 IMAX(R) theatres domestically during its second weekend from
November 13th through November 15, 2009. The IMAX release registered 13% of the
film's total domestic second-weekend gross of $22.3 million on approximately 3%
of the screens. The film's domestic IMAX total is now at $8.7 million.
Internationally, the film's second-weekend IMAX gross was $635,000, up 16% over
its opening weekend, due in part to the addition of six more IMAX screens,
bringing the film's IMAX global cume to $10.2 million. There are 21 more
international IMAX locations scheduled to open the film in the weeks ahead.
Commenting on the announcement, Chuck Viane, president, Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures Distribution, said, "This is a great second-weekend result,
indicating that people are getting into the holiday mood. The IMAX release is
continuing to demonstrate a strong presence, and with the holidays just around
the corner, we anticipate the momentum to continue."
"The sustained second-weekend performance bodes well for the legs of the IMAX
release, especially when you consider our successful history with Robert
Zemeckis and our great partnership with Disney," said IMAX CEO Richard L.
Gelfond.
"The premium IMAX(R) 3D Experience really shows off Robert Zemeckis's unique
vision and we're pleased with these strong second-weekend results," added Greg
Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Disney is
continuing to do a great job of calling out IMAX in its global marketing
campaign, and we believe the momentum will continue to build through
Thanksgiving weekend."
Disney's A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience has been digitally re-mastered
into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with
proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology.
Robert Zemeckis takes the art of performance capture to the next level with
Disney's A Christmas Carol. This multi-sensory 3D motion picture captures the
fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking motion
picture event. Ebeneezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with
his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman), and his
cheery nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and
Yet to Come (all played by Carrey) take him on an eye-opening journey revealing
truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of
ill will before it's too late.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology
companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide
IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution
platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres
delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX
3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital
re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any
conventional motion picture 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 for consumers. As of
September 30, 2009, there were 403 IMAX theatres (280 commercial, 123
institutional) operating in 44 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), Experience It In IMAX(R), An IMAX 3D
Experience(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation.
More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also
connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter
(www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
The IMAX Corporation logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6469
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 ongoing discussions with the
SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company's accounting,
the performance of films, the signing of theatre system agreements, the
viability of new technologies, businesses and products, 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, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control
over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large
format, general commercial exhibition and out-of-home entertainment markets.
These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q.
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CONTACT: IMAX Corporation, New York
Media:
Sarah Gormley
212-821-0155
sgormley@imax.com
Investors:
Heather Anthony
212-821-0121
hanthony@imax.com
Rogers & Cowan, Los Angeles
Entertainment Media:
Jason Magner
310-854-8128
jmagner@rogersandcowan.com
Sloane & Company, New York
Business Media:
Whit Clay
212-446-1864
wclay@sloanepr.com
