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

Although the global cinema market continues to shrink, audiences are increasingly choosing premium screenings. The best evidence is IMAX, which recorded its best results 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. While 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 for IMAX

IMAX has confirmed that in 2025 it generated $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 entire 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 a growing global presence – said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. – We see no signs of a slowdown. Creators, studios, and audiences are increasingly choosing the IMAX experience.

In 2025, 122 titles were screened in the IMAX format, which also sets a record. The biggest hit turned out to be the Chinese Ne Zha 2, which only confirms the immense popularity of IMAX in China.

IMAX Fragmentation. "True IMAX" is a Rarity

Although IMAX is evolving rapidly, only a small portion of approximately 1800 screens worldwide meets the criteria of what fans call "true IMAX."

• IMAX 70 mm GT (Grand Theatre) – fewer than 40 auditoriums worldwide, massive screens, and projection ratios of 1.43:1

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

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 ratios

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

IMAX at home – a compromise of format

IMAX is also developing the brand IMAX Enhanced in home entertainment, primarily in collaboration with Disney+. Although the films offer an expanded picture, it is still the 1.90:1 format, rather than the full 1.43:1 known from the largest cinemas.

2026 looks even stronger

IMAX forecasts a revenue increase to $1.4 billion 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 (premiering 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 filmed using IMAX 70mm cameras

Additionally, there are:

• Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

• Narnia from Netflix – an exclusive, two-week cinema distribution that has faced opposition from some cinema operators, including the Vue chain. They began closing IMAX theatres in favour of their own Epic format.