Fiscal 2009 IMAX DMR(R) Gross Box Office Increases 105% to Record $270 Million
Gross Box Office From 2009 Warner Bros./IMAX Original Title, Under the Sea 3D Equals $25 Million

TORONTO and LOS ANGELES Jan. 4, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) today announced that for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009, IMAX DMR(R) gross box office worldwide reached the $100 million milestone, a first for the Company and an approximate 225% increase over last year's fourth quarter box office of approximately $31 million. Fourth quarter DMR gross box office results include the approximate $54 million generated from Twentieth Century Fox's Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience. DMR gross box office of Hollywood DMR titles shown in the worldwide IMAX network increased 108% to a record $270 million compared to $130 million in fiscal 2008.

"Our strong 2009 box office results reflect the compelling film slate put together, our aggressive network expansion and increased productivity in many of our existing theatres," said Richard L. Gelfond, CEO of IMAX Corporation. "We consistently delivered approximately 10% of the box office, on average, of any major title in our network this year on less than 3 percent of the screens. We look forward to our 2010 film slate with great anticipation, and are pleased to kick off the year with the juggernaut, Avatar, which opens in China this week."

"The combination of many of the best and coolest titles Hollywood has to offer and audience enthusiasm for the IMAX(R) brand is a great one-two punch that has driven ticket sales at existing and new IMAX locations. We look forward to continuing to deliver significant value to our studio and exhibitor partners," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We appreciate those that have contributed to our significant growth, look forward to announcing more titles for 2010 and beyond in the weeks and months ahead, and working closely with both new and long time partners as we bring The IMAX Experience(R) to more moviegoers around the globe."

"IMAX has always added a special level of excitement to studio titles, but now the significant contribution to overall Hollywood box office is an undeniable indication of the importance of IMAX in the release of any potential blockbuster. Simply put, if it's not in IMAX, it's probably not an event film," said Paul Dergarabedian president of the box-office division of Hollywood.com, "When 230 screens in 2009 can deliver $270 million in worldwide box office, this says very clearly that moviegoers prefer to experience event-type films in the premium IMAX format."

In addition to the strength of IMAX DMR titles, the Company's original documentary, Under the Sea 3D, produced in partnership with Warner Bros., was released in February of 2009 and generated worldwide gross box office of approximately $25 million as of year-end. The Company will release its next original title, Hubble 3D, also in partnership with Warner Bros., in limited release in March 2010, and wide release in April 2010.

The Company's announced 2010 film slate includes:

Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience (Twentieth Century Fox)
Alice in Wonderland: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios)
Hubble 3D (IMAX Corp.\Warner Bros.)
How to Train Your Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience (Dreamworks Animation)
Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience (Dreamworks Animation)
Toy Story 3: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios)
Twilight Saga: Eclipse: The IMAX Experience (Summit Entertainment)
Inception: The IMAX Experience (Warner Bros.)
Tron Legacy: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Studios)

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(R) 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.

This news release was distributed by GlobeNewswire, www.globenewswire.com

SOURCE: IMAX Corporation

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