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

Even though the global cinema market is still shrinking, viewers are increasingly choosing premium screenings. The best evidence is IMAX, which in 2025 achieved its best result in history, surpassing even the record from 2019, which was 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 appeared in this format only 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 2025 Year for IMAX

IMAX confirmed that in 2025 it generated 1.28 billion dollars in global box office – a 40% increase year over 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 box office share 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 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 developing dynamically, only a small part of the approximately 1800 screens worldwide meets the criteria of what fans call "true IMAX."

• IMAX 70 mm GT (Grand Theatre) – fewer than 40 auditoriums worldwide, huge 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 is:

• 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. However, IMAX has not addressed the potential use of cinema LED screens, such as Samsung Onyx, which open the way for true HDR in theaters.

IMAX at Home – Format Compromise

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

2026 is shaping up to be even stronger

IMAX predicts an increase in revenue 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 (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 shot with IMAX 70 mm cameras

Additionally, there are:

• Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

• Narnia from Netflix – an exclusive, 2-week theatrical distribution that sparked opposition from some theater operators, including the Vue chain. They began closing IMAX auditoriums in favor of their own Epic format.