HIGHLIGHTS
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IMAX returns to profitability; reports second quarter net income of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share
Second quarter revenue of $41.0 million nearly doubles last year's second quarter
Strengthens balance sheet with successful equity offering that generated $76.3 million in net proceeds
Gross box office from IMAX DMR(r) titles increased 346% to $84.2 million in the second quarter of 2009

TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) today reported net income of $2.6 million, or $0.05 per diluted share for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared to a net loss of $12.2 million, or $0.29 per diluted share for the second quarter of 2008. Total revenues increased 94% to $41.0 million, compared to total revenues of $21.2 million last year. The Company generated operating income of $6.5 million, a turnaround of over $14.0 million compared to an operating loss of $7.7 million in the year-ago period.

IMAX Chief Executive Officer Richard L. Gelfond stated, "We are very pleased with our second quarter financial results. The strategic and operational groundwork laid over the last two years came together in the second quarter and resulted in a significantly larger theatre network and strong film slate, which drove our return to profitability. While one quarter does not make a trend, we believe this quarter is an early indication of the benefits of our new business model and that the pieces are in place to continue to deliver revenue growth and profitability for fiscal 2009."

Included in the Company's second quarter 2009 financial results are several notable items, including a $3.4 million increase in share-based compensation expense primarily due to the Company's increased stock price over the course of the second quarter and its impact on variable stock-based compensation such as stock appreciation rights; $1.0 million in fees associated with the early termination of a service contract; a favorable foreign exchange translation adjustment of $2.5 million; and a one-time gain of $0.4 million due to the early retirement of debt. The net impact of these items was a $1.5 million reduction in net income, or approximately $0.03 per diluted share.

IMAX systems revenue increased 33% to $8.3 million versus $6.3 million in the prior year period. The Company installed and recognized revenue on five theatre systems, including two digital upgrades, that qualified as either sales or sales-type leases in the second quarter of 2009, compared to two theatre systems recognized in 2008.

Revenue from joint revenue sharing arrangements increased significantly to $7.2 million compared to $0.4 million last year. In the second quarter, the Company installed a total of 24 systems under joint revenue sharing arrangements, including two digital upgrades, compared to zero installations in the year ago period.

For the second quarter of 2009, total film revenue increased 145% to $16.1 million, compared to $6.6 million in the second quarter of 2008. This included significantly higher Production and IMAX DMR(r) revenues of $12.1 million compared to $2.5 million a year ago, reflecting both the success of the second quarter film slate and the Company's larger theatre network.

Mr. Gelfond continued, "DMR film revenue and our joint revenue sharing business combined to represent 47% of revenue in the second quarter. We showed a record four DMR titles in a single quarter which illustrates our ability to seize opportunities that digital projection brings. Our second quarter film slate was among the strongest we have had in a single quarter, and we continued to consistently drive box office results that far outpaced our percentage of screens, reflecting the consumer appetite for The IMAX Experience(r)."

Gross box office from DMR titles increased 346% to $84.2 million in the second quarter of 2009, compared to $18.9 million in the second quarter of 2008. Four DMR titles drove the Company's significant box office growth in the quarter. DreamWorks Animation SKG's Monsters vs. Aliens: An IMAX 3D Experience, generated $19.8 million in gross box office during the second quarter and a total of $26.5 million over the course of its run, for a per screen average of $129,000. Paramount Pictures' Star Trek: The IMAX Experience was released to the IMAX network on May 7 and generated $26.6 million in gross box office during the quarter, for a per screen average of $140,000. On May 22, Twentieth Century Fox's Night at The Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian: The IMAX Experience arrived in theatres and generated $15.5 million in gross box office, for a per screen average of approximately $79,000. In addition, the quarter reflected one week of Paramount Pictures' Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The IMAX Experience, which generated $21.9 million in gross box office during the second quarter and $43.3 million to date, for a global per screen average of $189,000 and a domestic per screen average of $195,500. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen ranks as the third highest grossing DMR title in IMAX history, behind The Dark Knight: The IMAX Experience and Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience.

Second quarter gross margin increased to $20.7 million, from $5.9 million in the year-ago period. Included in gross margin for the second quarter was $1.5 million of non-recurring launch costs associated with the 22 new theatres opened under joint revenue sharing arrangements during the quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of revenue declined significantly to 29.9% as compared to 53.1% in the second quarter of last year. Overall, SG&A expenses increased to $12.3 million in the second quarter compared to $11.3 million a year ago. Reflected in second quarter SG&A expense was the previously mentioned net increase in share-based compensation, contract termination fees and favorable foreign exchange translation adjustment, as well as lower operating expenses resulting from the Company's cost-cutting initiatives. Research and development costs decreased to $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2009 as compared to $2.0 million in the second quarter of 2008. Last year's research and development expenses reflected the costs associated with the development of the Company's digital projection system that launched in July 2008.

At the end of the quarter, 102 digital systems were in operation, compared to zero as of June 30, 2008. The number of IMAX(r) theatres in operation under joint revenue sharing arrangements also grew significantly, to 91 theaters, compared to 11 at the end of the year-ago period. Primarily reflecting an increased level of digital system upgrades, the Company now expects to install approximately 95 to 105 systems in 2009, including 25 to 30 sales and sales type lease systems and approximately 70 to 75 joint revenue sharing theatre systems. Included in the installation guidance are the 12 system upgrades which occurred in the first six months of the year. At this time, the Company expects to end the year with approximately 120 joint revenue sharing theaters in operation.

As of June 30, 2009, the Company's backlog consisted of 171 theatre systems compared to 246 theatre systems in backlog as of June 30, 2008. Included in the 2009 and 2008 system backlog totals were 67 and 139 theatres, respectively, under joint revenue sharing arrangements and 104 and 107 theatres, respectively, under sales and sales-type lease arrangements. During the quarter the Company signed contracts for seven new systems, all of which were under sales and sales-type lease arrangements, compared to six system signings during last year's second quarter, four of which were under joint revenue sharing arrangements. Since quarter-end the Company has signed contracts for another eight theatres, including a six theatre deal signed with Vie Show Cinemas in Taiwan, which was announced last week.

At the end of the second quarter, the Company's cash position was $49.0 million, compared to $27.0 million as of December 31, 2008. During the second quarter, the Company raised $76.3 million in net proceeds through a common stock offering of 11,270,000 common shares. A portion of the proceeds was used to repurchase $44.3 million aggregate principal amount of its 9.625% Senior Notes due December 2010 which resulted in a one-time gain of $0.4 million due to the early retirement of debt. Offsetting the Company's cash position were investments related to its joint revenue sharing digital projection systems, which amounted to approximately $5.7 million in the second quarter compared to $3.6 million a year ago. Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company repurchased an additional $6.0 million of aggregate principal amount of its 9.625% Senior Notes.

Turning to the remainder of the 2009 film slate, the two-week delayed domestic release of Warner Bros.' Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: An IMAX 3D Experience is currently in theatres, and has generated approximately $15.0 million in worldwide box office through Tuesday, August 4. Domestically, the film was widely distributed to IMAX theatres on July 29 and has generated approximately $6.3 million through Tuesday. On September 18, Sony Pictures and IMAX plan to release Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs: An IMAX 3D Experience day-and-date to IMAX theatres. On October 16, Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX will release Where the Wild Things Are: The IMAX Experience day-and-date purely to domestic IMAX theatres, which will then be followed by Disney's A Christmas Carol: An IMAX 3D Experience (Walt Disney Pictures and ImageMovers Digital, November 2009) and James Cameron's Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience (Twentieth Century Fox, December 2009). In total the Company will show a record 12 DMR titles in 2009.

The Company's announced 2010 film slate to date includes Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience, which is expected to carry over from its December 18, 2009 release, Disney's Alice in Wonderland: An IMAX 3D Experience (March 2010), DreamWorks Animation's How to Train Your Dragon: An IMAX 3D Experience (March 2010) and Shrek Forever After: An IMAX 3D Experience (May 2010), and an IMAX original film in partnership with Warner Brothers, currently titled Hubble 3D. The Company is in the process of finalizing its 2010 release slate and is in discussions regarding potential titles for release as far out as 2012.

Mr. Gelfond concluded, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: The IMAX 3D Experience, is tracking in-line with our expectations and we are pleased to have finalized our 2009 film slate with Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and Where the Wild Things Are. With the compilation of our 2010 slate progressing very nicely, and given the smooth roll-out of our digital projection systems to date, we can focus on additional strategic priorities like the continued growth of the network and other business opportunities such as our multi-picture deal with Huayi Bros. in China. Our business model is beginning to generate tangible results, and we are optimistic about our ability to deliver growth over the long-term."

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:30 AM ET to discuss its second quarter 2009 financial results. To access the call via phone, interested parties should dial (866) 322-8032 approximately 10 minutes before it begins. International callers should dial (416) 640-3406. A recording of the call will be available by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (647) 436-0148. The code for both the live call and the replay is 1482081. The Company will also host a webcast of the conference call, which can be accessed on www.imax.com by clicking on 'Investor Relations.'

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(r) 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(r). The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of June 30, 2009, there were 394 IMAX theatres (273 commercial, 121 institutional) operating in 44 countries.

IMAX(r), IMAX(r) 3D, IMAX(r) DMR, Experience It In IMAX(r), 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.

The IMAX Corporation company 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, but are not limited to, general economic, market or business conditions, including the length and severity of the current economic downturn, the opportunities that may be presented to and pursued by the Company, the performance of IMAX DMR films, conditions in the in-home and out-of home entertainment industries, the signing of theatre system agreements, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry, the failure to convert theatre system backlog into revenue, investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions, foreign currency fluctuations and the Company's prior restatements and the related litigation and ongoing inquiries by the SEC and the OSC. 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.




                             IMAX CORPORATION
             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    In accordance with United States
                Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
         (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)
                               (unaudited)


                               Three Months            Six Months
                               Ended June 30,         Ended June 30,
                           --------------------    -------------------
                             2009        2008        2009       2008
                           --------    --------    -------    --------

 Revenues
 Equipment and product
  sales                    $  7,138    $  4,237    $20,497    $ 10,935
 Services                    24,794      13,607     39,682      27,814
 Rentals                      7,999       1,636     11,246       3,180
 Finance income               1,061       1,084      2,073       2,155
 Other                           --         611      1,216         611
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
                             40,992      21,175     74,714      44,695
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
 Costs and expenses
  applicable to revenues
 Equipment and product
  sales                       3,825       2,966     11,067       5,931
 Services                    13,348      11,275     23,287      20,964
 Rentals                      3,166         968      5,332       1,698
 Other                           --          98        245          98
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
                             20,339      15,307     39,931      28,691
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
 Gross margin                20,653       5,868     34,783      16,004
 Selling, general and
  administrative
  expenses                   12,258      11,252     23,162      23,639
  (including share-based
  compensation expense
  of $4.2 million and
  $0.8 million for the
  three months ended
  June 30, 2009 and 2008,
  respectively, and $4.6
  million and $1.6
  million for the six
  months ended June 30,
  2009 and 2008,
  respectively.)
 Research and development     1,185       2,047      1,732       4,535
 Amortization of
  intangibles                   136         137        281         271
 Receivable provisions
  net of recoveries             480         101        990         849
 Asset impairments              129          --        129          --
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
 Income (loss) from
  operations                  6,465      (7,669)     8,489     (13,290)
 Interest income                  5          74         26         200
 Interest expense            (4,071)     (4,340)    (8,498)     (8,836)
 Gain on repurchase of
  Senior Notes due
  December 2010                 444          --        444          --
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
 Income (loss) from
  continuing operations
  before income taxes         2,843     (11,935)       461     (21,926)
 Provision for income
  taxes                        (282)       (258)      (541)       (526)
                           --------    --------    -------    --------
 Net income (loss)         $  2,561    $(12,193)   $   (80)   $(22,452)
                           ========    ========    =======    ========

 Net income (loss) per
  share:
   Net income (loss) per
    share  - basic         $   0.06    $  (0.29)   $    --    $  (0.54)
                           ========    ========    =======    ========
  Net income (loss) per
   share  - diluted        $   0.05    $  (0.29)   $    --    $  (0.54)
                           ========    ========    =======    ========


 Weighted average number
  of shares outstanding
  (000's):
  Basic                      46,493      42,181     45,095      41,313
  Fully diluted              47,966      42,181     45,095      41,313

 Additional disclosure:

  Depreciation and
   amortization(1)         $  5,154    $  4,069    $ 9,148    $  8,272

 (1) Includes $0.3 million and $0.6 million of amortization of
     deferred financing costs charged to interest expense for the
     three and six months ended June 30, 2009 (2008 - $0.4 million
     and  $0.7 million)




                         IMAX CORPORATION
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                  In accordance with United States
                Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
                    (in thousands of U.S. dollars)


                                                  June 30,    Dec. 31,
                                                    2009        2008
                                                  --------    --------
                                                (unaudited)

 Assets
 Cash and cash equivalents                        $ 49,000    $ 27,017
 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
  doubtful accounts of $2,722 (December 31,
  2008 -- $2,901)                                   31,842      22,982
 Financing receivables                              57,810      56,138
 Inventories                                        17,202      19,822
 Prepaid expenses                                    2,951       1,998
 Film assets                                         4,502       3,923
 Property, plant and equipment                      48,876      39,405
 Other assets                                       17,048      16,074
 Goodwill                                           39,027      39,027
 Other intangible assets                             2,190       2,281
                                                  --------    --------
   Total assets                                   $270,448    $228,667
                                                  ========    ========

 Liabilities
 Bank indebtedness                                $ 20,000    $ 20,000
 Accounts payable                                   18,395      15,790
 Accrued liabilities                                65,198      58,199
 Deferred revenue                                   69,330      71,452
 Senior Notes due December 2010                    115,662     160,000
                                                  --------    --------
   Total liabilities                               288,585     325,441
                                                  --------    --------

 Shareholders' deficiency
 Capital stock common  shares -- no par value.
  Authorized -- unlimited number.  Issued and
  outstanding -- 55,023,590 (December 31, 2008
  -- 43,490,631)                                   218,895     141,584
 Other equity                                        6,266       5,183
 Deficit                                          (247,089)   (247,009)
 Accumulated other comprehensive income              3,791       3,468
                                                  --------     -------
   Total shareholders' deficiency                  (18,137)    (96,774)
                                                  --------     -------
   Total liabilities and shareholders'
    deficiency                                    $270,448    $228,667
                                                  ========    ========




                          IMAX CORPORATION
                      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                 In accordance with United States
                Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
                   (in thousands of U.S. dollars)

The Company has eight reportable segments identified by category of product sold or service provided: IMAX systems; theater system maintenance; joint revenue sharing arrangements; film production and IMAX DMR; film distribution; film post-production; theater operations; and other. The IMAX systems segment designs, manufactures, sells or leases IMAX theater projection system equipment. The theater system maintenance segment maintains IMAX theater projection system equipment in the IMAX theater network. The joint revenue sharing arrangements segment provides IMAX theater projection system equipment to an exhibitor in exchange for a share of the box-office and concessions revenue. The film production and IMAX DMR segment produces films and performs film re-mastering services. The film distribution segment distributes films for which the Company has distribution rights. The film post-production segment provides film post-production and film print services. The theater operations segment owns and operates certain IMAX theaters. The other segment includes camera rentals and other miscellaneous items.




                               Three Months           Six Months
                               Ended June 30,        Ended June 30,
                            ------------------    --------------------
                              2009      2008        2009        2008
                            -------   --------    --------    --------
 Revenue
 IMAX systems               $ 8,339   $  6,283    $ 24,792    $ 14,441
 Theater system
  maintenance                 4,433      3,850       8,793       7,833
 Joint revenue sharing
  arrangements                7,193        433       9,100         781
 Films
   Production and IMAX DMR   12,135      2,489      15,836       5,405
   Distribution               3,494      2,307       6,736       5,060
   Post-production              515      1,798       1,387       3,522
 Theater operations           4,216      3,163       6,930       5,994
 Other                          667        852       1,140       1,659
                            -------   --------    --------    --------
 Total                      $40,992   $ 21,175    $ 74,714    $ 44,695
                            =======   ========    ========    ========

 Gross margins
 IMAX systems               $ 4,535   $  3,454    $ 13,430    $  9,014
 Theater system
  maintenance                 2,319      1,529       4,631       3,117
 Joint revenue sharing
  arrangements(1)(2)          4,635       (112)      4,980         (73)
 Films
   Production and IMAX DMR    7,914       (603)      9,684        (270)
   Distribution                 654        773         989       2,120
   Post-production               55        834         695       2,386
 Theater operations             504       (200)        394        (503)
 Other                           37        193         (20)        213
                            -------   --------    --------    --------
 Total                      $20,653   $  5,868    $ 34,783    $ 16,004
                            =======   ========    ========    ========

 --------------------------
 (1) Included in the gross margin were certain advertising, marketing
     and selling  expenses of $1.5  million  associated with the
     initial launch of 22 new theaters opened during the quarter.
     Excluding these launch  expenses, the gross margin would have
     been $6.1  million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to a
     loss of $0.1  million in the second  quarter of 2008.
 (2) Included in the margin in the first six months of 2009 were
     certain advertising, marketing and selling expenses of $2.2
     million associated with the initial  launch of 39 new theaters
     opened  during the period.  Excluding  these launch expenses,
     gross  margin would have been $7.2 million for the six months
     ended June 30,  2009  compared  to a loss of less than $0.1
     million in the six months ended June 30, 2008.

CONTACT: IMAX Corporation, New York
Media:
Sarah Gormley
212-821-0155
sgormley@imax.com
Investors:
Heather Anthony
212-821-0121
hanthony@imax.com

Entertainment Media:
Rogers & Cowan, Los Angeles
Elliot Fischoff/Jason Magner
310-854-8128
jmagner@rogersandcowan.com

Business Media:
Sloane & Company, New York
Whit Clay
212-446-1864
wclay@sloanepr.com