IMAX(R) Theatres Deliver 14% of the Film's Overall Domestic Box Office on Approximately 3% of the Screens

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 9, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures today announced that Disney's A Christmas Carol, the spectacular Disney Digital 3D(TM) holiday release from director Robert Zemeckis and starring Jim Carrey, grossed $4.2 million from 181 IMAX(R) theatres domestically from November 6th through November 8, 2009, registering 14% of the film's total domestic gross of $30 million on approximately 3% of the screens. The IMAX release generated a per screen average of $23,000. The film also grossed $560,000 internationally from 28 IMAX theatres from November 5th through November 8th, 2009. There are 29 more international IMAX locations scheduled to open the film in the weeks ahead, with IMAX locations in Japan and Spain opening this coming weekend.

Disney's A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology.

Commenting on the announcement, Chuck Viane, president, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Distribution, said, "We're pleased with how the film performed this weekend and we're particularly impressed with the significant contribution that the IMAX network made to the overall opening results. We look forward to continued success as we head into the holiday season."

"Based on our experience with the IMAX releases of Robert Zemeckis' last two films (The Polar Express and Beowulf) and given this is the only 3D release currently in theatres, we expect the IMAX per screen average to stay strong over the next several weeks," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "The IMAX theatre network's significant contribution to the film's overall box office results is very encouraging as it demonstrates the growing consumer appetite for The IMAX Experience."

"Given the natural connection between the unique vision of Robert Zemeckis and his history with IMAX(R) 3D, this initial performance bodes well for IMAX theatres in the coming weeks," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Disney has done a great job of calling out IMAX in its marketing campaign, and we're very happy to be a part of a winning combination of brands that is clearly resonating with consumers - Disney, Robert Zemeckis and IMAX."

Robert Zemeckis takes the art of performance capture to the next level with Disney's A Christmas Carol. This multi-sensory 3D motion picture captures the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking motion picture event. Ebeneezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey) begins the Christmas holiday with his usual miserly contempt, barking at his faithful clerk (Gary Oldman), and his cheery nephew (Colin Firth). But when the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come (all played by Carrey) take him on an eye-opening journey revealing truths Old Scrooge is reluctant to face, he must open his heart to undo years of ill will before it's too late.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2009, there were 403 IMAX theatres (280 commercial, 123 institutional) operating in 44 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), Experience It In IMAX(R), An IMAX 3D Experience(R) and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

The IMAX Corporation logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6469

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company's accounting, the performance of films, the signing of theatre system agreements, the viability of new technologies, businesses and products, the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format, general commercial exhibition and out-of-home entertainment markets. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

CONTACT: IMAX Corporation, New York

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