Imax Beat Wall Street Expectations in Q1, Thanks to Smash Success of China’s ‘Ne Zha 2’

In the initial quarter of 2025, the Chinese box office hit “Ne Zha 2” significantly increased both earnings and revenue for Imax.

As a diehard movie fan, I’m thrilled to share that my favorite big screen company has reported impressive financials for the March quarter! They raked in an estimated $86.7 million, marking a 10% increase compared to the same period last year, when they earned $79.1 million. Interestingly, this figure surpassed Wall Street‘s predictions of $84.23 million.

In terms of net income, Q1 2025 saw a significant boost, with earnings climbing up by 52% to reach $8.2 million. However, adjusted earnings-per-share took a slight dip; while they managed 13 cents in this quarter, it was a 13% decrease from the per-share loss of 15 cents during the same time last year. Nonetheless, it’s an exciting start to the year for my beloved big screen company!

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that Imax’s box office earnings soared to an impressive $298 million this year, marking a significant 12% jump compared to the previous year. A major contributing factor to this success story is the incredible performance of “Ne Zha 2” during the Chinese New Year. This animated gem not only captivated audiences but also set a new record for Imax as the highest-grossing film in their history, raking in an astounding $161 million.

Additionally, Imax’s global presence is on the rise. In just one quarter, they’ve signed agreements for 95 new and upgraded systems across the globe – a stark contrast to the mere eight systems added during the same period last year. Furthermore, installation systems have increased by an impressive 40% year-over-year with 21 new additions. This growth spree is a testament to Imax’s commitment to delivering unparalleled cinematic experiences to more and more viewers worldwide.

2025 has seen Imax kick off strongly, according to its CEO Rich Gelfond. In his statement, he highlighted that the foundations of our business have never been more robust, with outstanding global box office earnings and significant growth in system sales and installations during the first quarter. Furthermore, he expressed his belief that we are on the verge of a new period of expansion for the company, given the impressive lineup of global films planned over the coming years and the increasing appetite among exhibitors for our services.

Following a sluggish beginning to the year, the overall box office is gradually picking up momentum with successful new releases such as “A Minecraft Movie” and Ryan Coogler’s vampire thriller “Sinners” drawing large audiences. Notably, these films, along with future releases like “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “F1,” were filmed using Imax cameras, a practice that historically increases ticket sales at their premium venues. These potential blockbusters, among others, are anticipated to help Imax surpass its previous global box office record of over $1.2 billion in 2025.

Looking forward, Imax stands out as an entity that can capitalize on a blend of favorable tendencies in international content. This includes the enticing lineup of upcoming Hollywood productions and the swift increase of big-budget, high-quality local language blockbusters.

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2025-04-24 00:47