IMAX is having a record year. Audiences are choosing "big cinema"!

Despite the global cinema market still shrinking, audiences are increasingly choosing premium screenings. The best evidence is IMAX, which recorded its best performance in history in 2025, surpassing even the record from 2019, the last full year before the pandemic.

From niche documentary screenings in museums and planetariums to the biggest Hollywood blockbusters – IMAX has come a long way. Although the first feature films were only introduced to this format in the early 2000s, today IMAX is one of the most important premium large format (PLF) formats, competing with Dolby Cinema, Cinity, and Epic, among others. According to forecasts, the PLF market is expected to more than double by 2033.

Record-Breaking 2025 Year for IMAX

IMAX has confirmed that in 2025 it generated USD 1.28 billion in global box office – a 40% increase year on year and 13% more than the previous record set in 2019. This means that IMAX accounted for 3.8% of the total global cinema market.

– 2025 was a breakthrough year for IMAX. We increased our share of the box office with a significantly more diverse repertoire and growing global presence – said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. – We see no signs of slowdown. Creators, studios, and audiences are increasingly choosing the IMAX experience.

In 2025, 122 titles were screened in IMAX format, which also sets a new record. The biggest hit was the Chinese film Ne Zha 2, further confirming IMAX's immense popularity in China.

IMAX Fragmentation. “True IMAX” is rare

Although IMAX is developing rapidly, only a small fraction of about 1800 screens worldwide meet the criteria of what fans call “true IMAX”.

• IMAX 70 mm GT (Grand Theatre) – less than 40 theatres worldwide, massive screens and projection in 1.43:1 aspect ratio

• IMAX with Laser GT – a digital alternative capable of projecting 1.43:1

However, the vast majority are:

• IMAX Digital 2K on smaller screens (often referred to as “LieMAX”)

• IMAX Single Laser 4K, limited to 1.90:1 aspect ratio

All variants support 3D projections. IMAX, however, has not addressed the potential use of LED cinema screens, such as Samsung Onyx, which pave the way for true HDR in cinemas.

IMAX at Home – Compromise of Format

IMAX is also developing the brand IMAX Enhanced in home entertainment, mainly in collaboration with Disney+. Although the films offer an extended image, it is still a 1.90:1 format, and not the full 1.43:1 known from the largest cinemas.

2026 is shaping up to be even bigger

IMAX forecasts revenue growth to 1.4 billion dollars in 2026. The list of confirmed premieres includes productions from the biggest names in the industry:

• Christopher Nolan

• Denis Villeneuve

• James Cameron – Avatar: Fire and Ash (premiere very late in 2025)

For 2026, 12 films "Filmed for IMAX" have been confirmed, including:

• The Odyssey – the first film entirely shot with IMAX cameras on film

• Dune: Part Three – also being shot on IMAX 70mm cameras

In addition, there are:

• Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

• Narnia from Netflix – exclusive, 2-week theatrical distribution that has sparked objections from some cinema operators, including the Vue chain. They began closing IMAX screens in favour of their own Epic format.