Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Posts Record International Opening Results in IMAX(R) Theatres

Tue, Jul 21, 2009

  • Biggest Five-Day International Gross of $3.6 million
  • Biggest International Wednesday Opening of $570,000
  • Biggest International Single-Day Gross for an IMAX DMR(R) Title of $875,000
  • 161 Domestic IMAX Locations to Open July 29th

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience posted record international opening results, with an estimated $3.6 million coming from 62 IMAX(R) theatres, for a per screen average of $58,000 from Wednesday, July 15 through Sunday, July 19. The film also opened in three domestic locations in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, where it generated $429,000 in gross box office, for a per screen average of over $143,000. The film will open in 161 additional domestic locations on July 29th, and will ultimately play on 231 IMAX screens worldwide.

"Warner Bros. is thrilled with the opening weekend numbers and setting a new IMAX international record," says Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of Warner Bros. Pictures International. "These results are a testament to the long and flourishing partnership we have had with IMAX, with Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince marking the 19th feature title our companies have released together."

The film set IMAX opening weekend box office records in many international markets including: Russia and the Ukraine, France, Hong Kong, India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Japan and the Philippines. Specific highlights from new IMAX locations include:

  • The 109 Cinemas IMAX theatre in Kawasaki, Japan ranked as the highest grossing screen in the country for the film's launch, generating approximately $130,000 for the five-day period.
  • The new SM North EDSA IMAX theatre in Manila posted $56,692 for the four-day period following its opening last Thursday.
  • The Big Cinemas IMAX theatre which opened last week in Mumbai, India posted record box office numbers and 100% occupancy over the course of the weekend.

"We are pleased to be able to share this film with a large international audience and Potter fan base due to the continued rollout of our digital projection system," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "We are particularly pleased with the results considering that Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience continued to play in the vast majority of our international theatres. Our long-time partnership with Warner Bros. on the Harry Potter series has been incredibly successful and we look forward to sharing the special IMAX(R) 3D opening with domestic audiences in the weeks ahead."

"The worldwide excitement around this title has been incredible, and we're so happy to be able to reach fans with another - our 4th, in fact - amazing Potter IMAX Experience," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Warner Bros. has created an unrivaled franchise with the Potter films, and we are grateful to them as well as David Heyman, David Baron and David Yates for enthusiastically supporting The IMAX Experience."

In IMAX 3D theatres, the film features approximately 12 minutes of the movie's explosive opening sequence exclusively in live-action IMAX 3D, a special element fans last enjoyed in the final fight scene in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2007.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience is scheduled to play beginning July 29th at the following domestic IMAX theatres.

    UNITED STATES

    Arizona

    Mesa - Gateway 12 IMAX
    Phoenix - AMC Deer Valley 30 with IMAX

    Arkansas

    Little Rock - Dickinson Chenal 9 IMAX Theatre

    California

    Aliso Viejo - Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 & IMAX
    Anaheim - CinemaFusion IMAX Anaheim GardenWalk
    Arcadia - AMC Santa Anita 16 & IMAX
    Burbank - AMC Burbank 16 & IMAX
    Camarillo - Edwards Camarillo Palace Stadium 12 & IMAX
    Cupertino - AMC Cupertino 16 & IMAX
    Dublin - Regal Hacienda Crossings Stadium 21 & IMAX
    El Dorado Hills - Regal Cinemas El Dorado Hills Stadium 14 & IMAX
    Emeryville - AMC Bay Street 16 & IMAX
    Escondido - Regal Escondido Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Fairfield - Edwards Fairfield Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Fresno - Edwards Fresno Stadium 22 & IMAX
    Irvine - Edwards Irvine Spectrum IMAX
    Long Beach - Edwards Long Beach 26 & IMAX
    Los Angeles - IMAX Theatre at The Bridge: cinema de lux
    Los Angeles - AMC Universal CityWalk Stadium 19 with IMAX
    National City - AMC Plaza Bonita 14 & IMAX
    Ontario - Edwards Ontario Palace 22 & IMAX
    Rowland Heights - AMC Puente Hills 20 & IMAX
    Sacramento - Esquire IMAX Theatre
    San Diego - AMC Palm Promenade 24 & IMAX
    San Diego - Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 & IMAX
    San Jose - AMC Eastridge Mall 15 & IMAX
    San Francisco - AMC Loews Metreon 16 with IMAX
    Santa Clara - AMC Mercado 20 & IMAX
    Simi Valley - Regal Civic Center Plaza 16 & IMAX
    South Gate - Edwards South Gate Stadium 20 & IMAX
    Stockton - Regal City Centre Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Torrance - AMC Del Amo 18 & IMAX
    Woodland Hills - AMC Promenade 16 & IMAX

    Colorado

    Colorado Springs - Cinemark Carefree Circle IMAX Theatre
    Denver - UA Colorado Center Stadium 9 & IMAX
    Highlands Ranch - AMC Highlands Ranch 24 & IMAX
    Westminster - AMC Orchard 12 & IMAX
    Westminster - AMC Westminster Promenade 24 & IMAX

    Connecticut

    Manchester - IMAX Theatre at Cinema de Lux Buckland Hills 18

    District of Columbia

    Washington - Samuel C. Johnson IMAX Theater at the National Museum of
    Nat. History

    Florida

    Altamonte Springs - AMC Altamonte Mall 18 & IMAX
    Aventura - AMC Aventura 24 & IMAX
    Fort Lauderdale - AutoNation(R) IMAX(R) Theater at Museum of Discovery
    and Science
    Fort Myers - Regal Gulf Coast Town Center Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Jacksonville - AMC Regency 24 & IMAX
    Orange Park - AMC Orange Park 24 & IMAX
    Orlando - Regal Pointe Orlando Stadium 20 & IMAX
    Orlando - Regal Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 & IMAX
    South Miami - AMC Sunset Place 24 & IMAX
    St. Augustine - World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theatre #
    Tampa - AMC Veterans 24 & IMAX
    Tampa - Channelside IMAX
    West Palm Beach - Parisian 20 & IMAX

    Georgia

    Augusta - Regal Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 & IMAX
    Buford - Regal Mall of Georgia Stadium 20 & IMAX
    Kennesaw - AMC Barrett Commons 24 & IMAX
    Morrow - AMC Southlake Pavilion 24 & IMAX

    Hawaii

    Honolulu - Regal Dole Cannery 18 & IMAX

    Idaho

    Boise - Edwards Boise Stadium 22 & IMAX

    Illinois

    Batavia - Randall 15 IMAX
    Chicago - Navy Pier IMAX Theatre
    Lincolnshire - Regal Lincolnshire 20 & IMAX
    South Barrington - AMC Barrington 30 & IMAX
    Woodridge - Cinemark Seven Bridges IMAX

    Indiana

    Evansville - Showplace Cinemas East 18 & IMAX
    Indianapolis - Kerasotes ShowPlace 16 & IMAX
    Indianapolis - IMAX Theatre at the Indiana State Museum
    Noblesville - Hamilton Towne Center 16 & IMAX
    Portage - Portage 16 IMAX

    Iowa

    Council Bluffs - Kerasotes Star Cinemas 16 & IMAX
    Des Moines - Science Center of Iowa & Blank IMAX Dome Theater #

    Kansas

    Olathe - AMC Studio 30 & IMAX

    Kentucky

    Louisville - Cinema De Lux 20: Stonybrook IMAX
    Newport - AMC Newport On The Levee 20 & IMAX

    Louisiana

    Harahan - AMC Elmwood Palace 20 & IMAX

    Maine

    Saco - Cinemagic & IMAX in Saco

    Maryland

    Baltimore - AMC Loews White Marsh 16 & IMAX
    Baltimore - Maryland Science Center IMAX Theatre
    Columbia - AMC Columbia 14 & IMAX

    Massachusetts

    Danvers - AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20 & IMAX
    Methuen - AMC Methuen 20 & IMAX
    Natick - Verizon IMAX 3D Theater at Jordan's Furniture - Natick
    Reading - Verizon IMAX 3D Theater at Jordan's Furniture - Reading

    Michigan

    Dearborn - The Henry Ford IMAX Theatre
    Grand Blanc - Trillium Cinema 14 & IMAX, Grand Blanc
    Grand Rapids - Celebration! Cinema IMAX Theatre
    Lansing - Celebration! Cinema IMAX Theatre
    Sterling Heights - AMC Forum 30 & IMAX
    Ypsilanti - Showcase Cinemas Ann Arbor IMAX

    Minnesota

    Apple Valley - Great Clips IMAX Theatre
    Roseville - AMC Rosedale 14 & IMAX

    Missouri

    Independence - AMC Independence Commons 20 & IMAX
    Kansas City - AMC BarryWoods 24 & IMAX
    St. Louis - Wehrenberg Theatres Ronnies 20 Cine IMAX

    Nevada

    Henderson - Regal Sunset Station Stadium 13 & IMAX
    Las Vegas - Brenden Theatres and IMAX at the Palms Casino Resort
    Las Vegas - Regal Red Rock Stadium 16 & IMAX
    North Las Vegas - Regal Aliante Stadium 16 & IMAX

    New Hampshire

    Hooksett - Cinemagic & IMAX in Hooksett

    New Jersey

    Atlantic City - Tropicana IMAX Theatre
    Cherry Hill - AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24 & IMAX
    Hamilton - AMC Hamilton 24 & IMAX

    New York

    Albany - Regal Crossgates Mall 18 & IMAX
    Brooklyn - UA Sheepshead Bay Stadium 14 & IMAX
    Deer Park - Regal Deer Park Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Garden City - Leroy R. and Rose W. Grumman IMAX Dome Theater #
    New Rochelle - Regal New Roc City 18 & IMAX
    New York City - AMC Loews 34th Street 14 & IMAX
    Rochester - Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Tinseltown USA
    Stony Brook - AMC Stony Brook 17 & IMAX
    West Nyack - IMAX Theatre at Palisades Center
    White Plains - IMAX Theatre at City Center: Cinema De Lux 15
    Williamsville - Regal Transit Center 18 & IMAX

    North Carolina

    Charlotte - Regal Stonecrest At Piper Glen Stadium 22 & IMAX
    Concord - AMC Concord Mills 24 & IMAX
    Raleigh - Wachovia IMAX Theatre at Marbles Kids Museum

    Ohio

    Columbus - AMC Easton Town Center 30 & IMAX
    Cincinnati - IMAX Theatre at Springdale 18: Cinema De Lux

    Oklahoma

    Tulsa - Cinemark IMAX Theatre at The Tulsa

    Oregon

    Tigard - Regal Bridgeport Village Stadium 18 & IMAX

    Pennsylvania

    Bensalem - AMC Neshaminy 24 & IMAX
    Harrisburg - Select Medical IMAX Theater at The Whitaker Center
    Homestead - AMC Waterfront 22 & IMAX
    Philadelphia - Tuttleman IMAX Theatre at the Franklin Institute
    King of Prussia - UA King of Prussia Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Reading - RC Reading Movies 11 + IMAX
    Tarentum - Cinemark IMAX Theatre at the Galleria Pittsburgh Mills

    Rhode Island

    Providence - Providence Place Cinemas 16 & IMAX

    Tennessee

    Knoxville - Regal Pinnacle Stadium 18 at Turkey Creek
    Nashville - Regal Opry Mills 20 & IMAX

    Texas

    Austin - The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum IMAX Theatre
    Dallas - Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Cinemark 17
    Garland - AMC Firewheel 18 & IMAX
    Houston - AMC Gulf Pointe 30 & IMAX
    Houston - Edwards Houston Marq*e 23 & IMAX
    Mesquite - AMC Mesquite 30 & IMAX
    San Antonio - Santikos Palladium 18 IMAX Theatre
    Sandy - Megaplex 17 IMAX at Jordan Commons
    Sugar Land - AMC First Colony 24 & IMAX
    Tomball - Santikos Silverado Station 18 IMAX

    Virginia

    Alexandria - AMC Hoffman Center 22 & IMAX
    Hampton - Riverside IMAX Theater at the Virginia Air & Space Center
    Midlothian - Regal Commonwealth 20 & IMAX
    Virginia Beach - AMC Lynnhaven 18 & IMAX
    Woodbridge - AMC Potomac Mills 18 & IMAX

    Washington

    Bellevue - Lincoln Square Cinemas IMAX Theatre
    Kent - AMC Kent Station & IMAX
    Lacey - Regal Martin Village Stadium 16 & IMAX
    Seattle - Pacific Science Center Boeing IMAX Theatre
    Seattle - Regal Thornton Place Stadium 14 & IMAX
    Tukwila - AMC Southcenter 16 & IMAX

    Wisconsin

    Fitchburg - Kerasotes Star 18 & IMAX

    CANADA

    Alberta

    Calgary - Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Chinook IMAX Theatre
    Edmonton - Cineplex Scotiabank West Edmonton Mall IMAX Theatre

    British Columbia

    Langley - Cineplex Colossus Langley IMAX Theatre
    Richmond - Cineplex SilverCity Riverport IMAX Theatre

    Nova Scotia

    Halifax - Empire IMAX Theatre

    Ontario

    Gloucester - Cineplex SilverCity Gloucester IMAX Theatre
    Mississauga - Cineplex Coliseum Mississauga IMAX Theatre
    Toronto - Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Toronto IMAX Theatre
    Vaughan - Cineplex Colossus Woodbridge IMAX Theatre

    Quebec

    Montreal - Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Montreal IMAX Theatre

    # denotes 2D theatre              *denotes later launch

    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 movie 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(R). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of March 31, 2009, there were 371 IMAX theatres (250 commercial, 121 institutional) operating in 43 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) DMR, The 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/imaxnews) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

SOURCE: IMAX Corporation - 07/20/2009

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Sarah Gormley,
(212) 821-0155, sgormley@imax.com;
Entertainment Media: Rogers Cowan, Los Angeles,
Elliot Fischoff, Jason Magner, (310) 854-8128,
jmagner@rogersandcowan.com;
Investors: IMAX Corporation - New York,
Heather Anthony, (212) 821-0121, hanthony@imax.com;
Business Media: Sloane Company, New York, Whit Clay,
(212) 446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com
(IMAX IMX.)