IMAX's Record-Breaking Q4: A Blueprint for Global Box Office Success

As we step into 2025, IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) has kicked off the year with a bang, reporting solid financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2024. The company's unique global entertainment platform and broad content portfolio have driven impressive growth, with adjusted EBITDA up 48% to $37 million and adjusted EPS up 59% to $0.27 per share. But the real story lies in IMAX's strategic focus on local language films and documentaries, which has contributed significantly to its global box office success and network growth.



IMAX's record-breaking Chinese New Year slate, which has already delivered over $120 million and counting, is a testament to the company's commitment to local language films. This dramatic turnaround in China, where the local language box office has already exceeded the entirety of 2024 in less than two months, is a clear indication that IMAX's strategy is paying off. By expanding its content portfolio to include a record number of local language films and relaunching IMAX documentaries, the company has tapped into a richly diversified content portfolio that appeals to a broader audience.

But IMAX's success isn't limited to China. The company's global network growth, driven by strategic partnerships with Wanda and AMC, and expansions in high revenue markets like Japan and Western Europe, has also contributed to its box office success. With a guidance of 145 to 160 system installations in 2025, 60% of which will be under joint revenue sharing arrangements, IMAX is well-positioned to capitalize on box office momentum anywhere in the world.



IMAX's partnership with Netflix for the release of Greta Gerwig's 'Narnia' across the IMAX global network in advance of its debut on the service is another example of the company's commitment to expanding its content portfolio and revenue streams. This deal, which allows IMAX to showcase high-quality content from a major streaming service, further enriches the company's diversified content offering and opens up new revenue streams through additional box office revenue.

As IMAX looks ahead to 2025 and beyond, the company expects a record year at the global box office, with more Filmed for IMAX® releases than ever in 2025 and arguably an even stronger slate ahead in 2026. With the headwinds faced in China in 2024 beginning to lift, IMAX is poised to build on the Fourth Quarter's significant double-digit growth in adjusted EBITDA and earnings per share, delivering strong returns for shareholders.

In conclusion, IMAX's record-breaking Q4 and strategic focus on local language films and documentaries have set the stage for global box office success in 2025 and beyond. By capitalizing on box office momentum anywhere in the world, IMAX continues to solidify its position at the center of global entertainment. As an investor, keeping an eye on IMAX's progress and strategic initiatives is a smart move in the ever-evolving entertainment landscape.