Leading Japanese cinema company, Toho Cinemas, has strengthened its partnership with high-end format supplier Imax, signing an agreement to establish six brand-new Imax theaters equipped with laser technology throughout Japan.
Under this extended collaboration, Imax is set to establish two additional venues in Tokyo’s cutthroat movie market, and at the same time, will venture into suburban regions such as Utsunomiya, Nisshin, Toyama, and Motosu.
Notably, this agreement outlines that Toho Cinemas Hibiya will be home to two IMAX theaters within the same compound – a unique setup as it marks the first time such a dual arrangement has been implemented outside of North America. The second IMAX theater at Hibiya will be installed in place of an existing high-end large format cinema.
By the end of this year, Tokyo locations as well as venues in Utsunomiya and Nisshin are anticipated to display content on screens. In the first half of 2026, the cities of Toyama and Motosu will join in. Moreover, as part of the agreement, one existing location will be upgraded to Imax with laser standards.
As a movie connoisseur, I’m thrilled to share that we, at Toho Cinemas, are on a mission in Japan. We’re churning out a wealth of Japanese films and animations, all primed for the immersive Imax experience. For years, we’ve been seeking ways to share this visual spectacle with a vast audience, aiming to offer them an unparalleled cinematic journey.
Ikeda emphasized the unique Hibiya dual-Imax setup, stating it’s “rarely found globally.” He further mentioned their commitment to providing top-tier cinematic experiences to movie enthusiasts nationwide in Japan.
Under this arrangement, Toho Cinemas will be Imax’s largest cinema partner in Japan. Currently, they run nine locations together, and an additional seven Imax systems are set to launch by the end of 2026. Their collaboration has shown commercial success – in 2024, Toho Cinemas managed three of Japan’s top four highest-earning Imax cinemas.
Imax’s CEO, Rich Gelfond, emphasized the strategic significance of their partnership with parent company Toho Group in both the theater business and film production. He referred to Toho Group as a “global force in entertainment.
Gelfond stated that we’re expected to surpass the number of signings for Imax systems in Japan this year than any other year, and having a strong strategic partner like Toho Cinemas commit further emphasizes our dominance in this crucial market.
In Japan, Imax is experiencing unmatched expansion, having secured deals for 11 new or upgraded venues so far this year, nearing its all-time high of 12 from 2023. As of now, Imax operates 53 locations in Japan, with another 17 under development. In 2024, Japan ranked as the third biggest market worldwide for Imax in terms of revenue.
Toho’s film distribution division has played a significant role in Imax’s success in Japan, either producing or distributing 17 of Imax’s top 20 highest-earning Japanese films. The anime format has been particularly profitable for Imax, with popular titles such as “Demon Slayer” (2021), “Suzume” (2022), and “The Boy and The Heron” (2023) achieving impressive earnings both domestically and overseas.
As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I can’t help but get excited about what’s coming up next in the world of cinema! The anticipation is high with the upcoming July release of the long-awaited sequel to “Demon Slayer”. Before that, fans will get another chance to revisit the original in May. Speaking of which, the recent North American rerelease of Studio Ghibli’s timeless masterpiece “Princess Mononoke” by Toho’s Gkids was a game-changer! It set a new record for the biggest domestic opening ever for a local language title in Imax, earning an impressive $4.1 million.
Each of the six fresh Japanese sites will showcase IMAX’s top-tier laser technology, a premier option boasting 4K laser projection, specially crafted lenses, and exclusive tech for heightened brightness, resolution, contrast, and color spectrum.
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2025-04-08 15:18