IMAX(R) 3D Release of Sanctum Opens on More Than 194 IMAX Screens

LOS ANGELES, Feb 1, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) --

IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX), and Universal Pictures today announced that the 3D epic underwater adventure Sanctum, from three-time Oscar(R)-winning executive producer James Cameron, will be released in the immersive IMAX(R) 3D format on Friday, February 4. The film will open on 178 IMAX screens domestically, simultaneous with its North American wide release. Sanctum will also open on at least 16 IMAX screens internationally this Friday. Additional international playdates are expected to be booked in the coming days.

Sanctum: An IMAX 3D Experience has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) with proprietary IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) technology for presentation in IMAX 3D. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique immersive environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About Sanctum:

The 3D action-thriller Sanctum from director Alister Grierson follows a team of underwater cave divers on a treacherous expedition to the largest, most beautiful and least accessible cave system on Earth. When a tropical storm forces them deep into the caverns, they must fight raging water, deadly terrain and creeping panic as they search for an unknown escape route to the sea.

Master diver Frank McGuire (Richard Roxburgh) has explored the South Pacific's Esa-ala Caves for months. But when his exit is cut off in a flash flood, Frank's team-including 17-year-old son Josh (Rhys Wakefield) and financier Carl Hurley (Ioan Gruffudd) are forced to radically alter plans. With dwindling supplies, the crew must navigate an underwater labyrinth to make it out. Soon, they are confronted with the unavoidable question: Can they survive, or will they be trapped forever?

Shot on location off the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, Sanctum employs 3D photography techniques Cameron developed to lens Avatar. Designed to operate in extreme environments, the technology used to shoot the action-thriller will bring audiences on a breathless journey across plunging cliffs and into the furthest reaches of our subterranean world. www.sanctummovie.com

Opening nationwide in theatres and IMAX, the film will be presented in 3D and distributed in domestic and select international markets by Universal Pictures.

The film has been rated "R" by the MPAA for language, some violence and disturbing images.

Sanctum: An IMAX 3D Experience is scheduled to play day-and-date at the following IMAX theatres beginning February 4:

  UNITED STATES
  Alabama
  Birmingham -- Rave Patton Creek 15 + IMAX
  Alaska
  Anchorage -- Regal Tikahtnu Stadium 16 & IMAX
  Fairbanks -- Regal Goldstream Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  Arizona
  Glendale -- AMC Westgate 20 with IMAX
  Mesa -- Dickinson Gateway 12 IMAX Theatre
  Phoenix -- AMC Deer Valley 30 with IMAX
  Phoenix -- AMC Desert Ridge 18 with IMAX
  Tucson -- AMC Foothills 15 with IMAX
  Arkansas
  Little Rock -- Dickinson Chenal 9 IMAX
   Theatre
  California
  Alhambra -- Regal Renaissance Stadium 14 &
   IMAX
  Aliso Viejo -- Regal Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 &
   IMAX
  Arcadia -- AMC Santa Anita 16 with IMAX
  Burbank -- AMC Burbank 30 with IMAX
  Camarillo -- Regal Camarillo Palace Stadium
   12 & IMAX
  Covina -- AMC Covina 30 with IMAX
  Cupertino -- AMC Cupertino Square 16 with
   IMAX
  El Dorado Hills -- Regal El Dorado Hills
   Stadium 14 & IMAX
  Emeryville -- AMC Bay Street 16 with IMAX
  Escondido -- Regal Escondido Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  Fairfield -- Regal Fairfield Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  Long Beach -- Regal Long Beach Stadium 26 &
   IMAX
  Los Angeles -- AMC Century City 15 with IMAX
  National City -- AMC Plaza Bonita 14 with
   IMAX
  Orange -- AMC 30 At The Block with IMAX
  Riverside -- AMC Tyler Galleria 16 with IMAX
  Rowland Heights -- AMC Puente Hills 20 with
   IMAX
  San Diego -- AMC Mission Valley 20 with IMAX
  San Diego -- AMC Palm Promenade 24 with IMAX
  San Diego -- Regal Mira Mesa Stadium 18 &
   IMAX
  San Jose -- AMC Eastridge Mall 15 with IMAX
  Santa Clara -- AMC Mercado 20 with IMAX
  Santa Clarita -- Regal Valencia Stadium 12 &
   IMAX
  Simi Valley -- Regal Civic Center Stadium 16
   & IMAX
  South Gate -- Regal South Gate Stadium 20 &
   IMAX
  Stockton -- Regal City Centre Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  Temecula -- Regal Temecula Stadium15 & IMAX
  Torrance -- AMC Del Amo 18 with IMAX
  Woodland Hills -- AMC Promenade 16 with IMAX
  Colorado
  Highlands Ranch -- AMC Highlands Ranch 24 &
   IMAX
  Westminster -- AMC Orchard 12 with IMAX
  Westminster -- AMC Westminster Promenade 24
   with IMAX
  Connecticut
  Manchester -- Rave Buckland Hills 18 + IMAX
  Milford -- Rave Connecticut Post 14 + IMAX
  Plainville -- AMC Plainville 20 with IMAX
  Florida
  Altamonte Springs -- AMC Altamonte Mall 18
   with IMAX
  Aventura -- AMC Aventura 24 with IMAX
  Brandon -- AMC The Regency 20 with IMAX
  Destin -- Rave Destin Commons 14 + IMAX
  Fort Myers -- Regal Gulf Coast Town Center
   Stadium 16 & IMAX
  Jacksonville -- AMC Regency 24 with IMAX
  Lakeland -- Lakeside 18 & IMAX
  Oldsmar -- AMC Woodlands Square 20 with IMAX
  Orange Park -- AMC Orange Park 24 with IMAX
  Orlando -- AMC Universal Cineplex 20 with
   IMAX
  Orlando -- Regal Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 &
   IMAX
  South Miami -- AMC Sunset Place 24 with IMAX
  St. Augustine -- World Golf Village IMAX
  St. Petersburg -- Muvico Baywalk 19 & IMAX
  Sunrise -- Regal Sawgrass Stadium 23 & IMAX
  Tallahassee -- AMC Tallahassee Mall 20 with
   IMAX
  Tampa -- AMC Veterans 24 with IMAX
  West Palm Beach -- Muvico Parisian 20 & IMAX
  Georgia
  Atlanta -- Regal Atlantic Station 16 & IMAX
  Augusta -- Regal Augusta Exchange Stadium 20
   & IMAX
  Kennesaw -- AMC Barrett Commons 24 with IMAX
  Morrow -- AMC Southlake Pavilion 24 with IMAX
  Hawaii
  Honolulu -- Regal Dole Cannery 18 & IMAX
  Illinois
  Batavia -- Goodrich Randall 15 IMAX
  Hodgkins -- AMC Quarry Cinemas 14 with IMAX
  Lombard -- AMC Yorktown 17 with IMAX
  Naperville -- AMC Showplace 16 Naperville
   with IMAX
  Schaumburg -- AMC Streets of Woodfield 20
   with IMAX
  Skokie -- AMC Showplace Village Crossing 18
   with IMAX
  South Barrington -- AMC Barrington 30 with
   IMAX
  Indiana
  Evansville -- Showplace East 18 & IMAX
  Indianapolis -- AMC Showplace 16 with IMAX
  Noblesville -- Goodrich Hamilton 16 IMAX
  Portage -- Goodrich Portage 16 IMAX
  Iowa
  Davenport -- Rave Davenport 53rd 18 + IMAX
  Kansas
  Leawood -- AMC Town Center 20 with IMAX
  Olathe -- AMC Studio 30 with IMAX
  Wichita -- Warren 17 with IMAX
  Kentucky
  Louisville -- Rave Stonybrook 20 + IMAX
  Newport -- AMC Newport Levee 20 with IMAX
  Louisiana
  Harahan -- AMC Elmwood Palace 20 with IMAX
  Maine
  Saco -- Cinemagic & IMAX in Saco
  Maryland
  Baltimore -- AMC Loews White Marsh 16 with
   IMAX
  Columbia -- AMC Columbia 14 with IMAX
  Silver Spring -- Regal Majestic Stadium 20 &
   IMAX
  Massachusetts
  Boston -- AMC Loews Boston Common 19 with
   IMAX
  Danvers -- AMC Liberty Tree Mall 20 with IMAX
  Methuen -- AMC Methuen 20 with IMAX
  Randolph -- Showcase Randolph 16 & IMAX
  Michigan
  Auburn Hills -- AMC Star Great Lakes 25 with
   IMAX
  Grand Blanc -- NCG Trillium Cinema & IMAX
  Lansing -- Celebration Lansing 19 + IMAX
  Livonia -- AMC Livonia 20 with IMAX
  Sterling Heights -- AMC Forum 30 with IMAX
  Ypsilanti -- Rave Ann Arbor 20 IMAX
  Minnesota
  Eden Prairie -- AMC Eden Prairie Mall 18 with
   IMAX
  Edina -- AMC Southdale 16 with IMAX
  Maple Grove -- AMC Arbor Lakes 16 with IMAX
  Roseville -- AMC Rosedale 14 with IMAX
  Missouri
  Hazelwood -- Regal St. Louis Mills 18 & IMAX
  Independence -- AMC Independence Commons 20
   with IMAX
  Kansas City -- AMC BarryWoods 24 with IMAX
  Nebraska
  Omaha -- AMC Oakview Plaza 24 with IMAX
  Nevada
  Henderson -- Regal Sunset Station Stadium 13
   & IMAX
  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
  Cherry Hill -- AMC Loews Cherry Hill 24 with
   IMAX
  Elizabeth -- AMC Jersey Gardens 20 with IMAX
  Hamilton -- AMC Hamilton 24 with IMAX
  New Brunswick -- AMC Loews New Brunswick 18
   with IMAX
  Paramus -- AMC Garden State 16 with IMAX
  Rockaway -- AMC Rockaway 16 with IMAX
  New York
  Albany -- Regal Crossgates Mall 18 & IMAX
  Brooklyn -- Regal Sheepshead Bay 14 & IMAX
  Deer Park -- Regal Deer Park Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  New York City -- AMC 34th Street 14 with IMAX
  New York City -- AMC Empire 25 with IMAX
  New York City -- AMC Kips Bay 15 with IMAX
  Port Chester -- AMC Port Chester 14 with IMAX
  Stony Brook -- AMC Stony Brook 17 with IMAX
  White Plains -- National Amusements City
   Center 15 IMAX
  Williamsville -- Regal Transit Center Stadium
   18 & IMAX
  North Carolina
  Cary -- Regal Crossroads Stadium 20 & IMAX
  Charlotte -- Regal Stonecrest At Piper Glen
   Stadium 22 & IMAX
  Concord -- AMC Concord Mills 24 with IMAX
  Raleigh -- Marbles Kids Museum Wachovia IMAX
   Theatre
  Ohio
  Beavercreek -- Rave The Greene 14 + IMAX
  Columbus -- AMC Easton Town Center 30 with
   IMAX
  Columbus -- AMC Lennox Town Center 24 with
   IMAX
  Springdale -- Showcase Springdale IMAX 16
  Westlake -- Regal Crocker Park Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  Oklahoma
  Oklahoma City -- AMC Quail Springs 24 with
   IMAX
  Tulsa -- AMC Southroads 20 with IMAX
  Oregon
  Tigard -- Regal Bridgeport Village Stadium 18
   & IMAX
  Pennsylvania
  Bensalem -- AMC Neshaminy 24 with IMAX
  Dickson City -- Great Escape Dickson City 14
   IMAX
  Homestead -- AMC Waterfront 22 with IMAX
  Lititz -- Penn Cinema IMAX
  Philadelphia -- AMC Franklin Mills 14 with
   IMAX
  Reading -- RC Reading Movies 11 & IMAX
  South Carolina
  Charleston -- Citadel Mall Stadium 16 with
   IMAX
  Simpsonville -- Great Escape 14 & IMAX
  Tennessee
  Chattanooga -- Rave East Ridge 18 + IMAX
  Knoxville -- Regal Pinnacle Stadium Cinemas
   17 & IMAX
  Texas
  Arlington -- AMC The Parks At Arlington 18
   with IMAX
  Dallas -- AMC Northpark 15 with IMAX
  Frisco -- AMC Stonebriar 24 with IMAX
  Garland -- AMC Firewheel 18 with IMAX
  Houston -- AMC Gulf Pointe 30 with IMAX
  Mesquite -- AMC Mesquite 30 with IMAX
  Sugar Land -- AMC First Colony 24 with IMAX
  Tomball -- Santikos Silverado 19 IMAX
  Utah
  Sandy -- Megaplex 17 & IMAX at Jordan Commons
  South Jordan -- Megaplex 20 & IMAX at The
   District
  Virginia
  Alexandria -- AMC Hoffman Center 22 with IMAX
  Hampton -- AMC Hampton Towne Centre 24 with
   IMAX
  Hampton -- Virginia Air and Space Center IMAX
   Theater
  McLean -- AMC Tysons Corner 16 with IMAX
  Midlothian -- Regal Commonwealth 20 & IMAX
  Virginia Beach -- AMC Lynnhaven 18 with IMAX
  Woodbridge -- AMC Potomac Mills 18 with IMAX
  Washington
  Bellevue -- Lincoln Square Cinemas IMAX
   Theatre
  Kent -- AMC Kent Station 14 with IMAX
  Lacey -- Regal Martin Village Stadium 16 &
   IMAX
  Lynnwood -- AMC Alderwood Mall 16 with IMAX
  Seattle -- Regal Thornton Place Stadium 14 &
   IMAX
  Spokane -- AMC River Park Square 20 with IMAX
  Tukwila -- AMC Southcenter 16 with IMAX
  Wisconsin
  Wauwatosa -- AMC Mayfair Mall 18 with IMAX

  CANADA
  Ontario
  Kanata -- AMC Kanata 24 with IMAX
  Mississauga -- AMC Courtney Park 16 with IMAX
  Toronto -- Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre
   Toronto & IMAX
  Whitby -- AMC Whitby 24 with IMAX

  INTERNATIONAL
  Australia
  Melbourne -- Highpoint Hoyts IMAX**
  Perth -- Carousel Hoyts IMAX**
  Sydney -- Entertainment Quarter Hoyts IMAX**
  Brazil
  Curitiba -- Dom Bosco IMAX Palladium Shopping
   Center
  Sao Paolo -- Espa&ccedil;o Unibanco Pompeia
   IMAX
  India
  Mumbai -- Big Cinemas IMAX Theatre
  United Kingdom
  Cardiff -- Odeon Cardiff Bay IMAX
  Gateshead -- Odeon Metrocentre IMAX
  Greenwich -- Odeon Greenwich IMAX
  Liverpool -- Odeon Liverpool ONE IMAX
  London -- Odeon Kingston IMAX
  Norwich -- Odeon Norwich IMAX
  Renfrew -- Odeon Braehead IMAX
  Southampton -- Odeon Southampton IMAX
  Uxbridge -- Odeon Uxbridge IMAX
  Wimbledon -- Odeon Wimbledon IMAX

Please check local listings or IMAX.com for final theatre listings, launch dates and showtimes.

** denotes earlier launch * denotes later launch

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment and technology companies, specializing in the creation and delivery of premium, awe-inspiring entertainment experiences. With a growing suite of cutting-edge motion picture and sound technologies, and a globally recognized entertainment brand, IMAX is singularly situated at the convergence of the entertainment industry, innovation and the digital media world. The industry's top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and as such, the IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe. The Company's new digital projection and sound systems - combined with a growing blockbuster film slate - are fueling the rapid expansion of the IMAX network in established markets such as North America, Western Europe, and Japan, as well as emerging markets such as China and Russia. IMAX theatres deliver the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) technologies. IMAX DMR enables virtually any motion picture to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo and Shanghai. As of September 30, 2010, there were 470 IMAX theatres (348 commercial, 122 institutional) operating in 45 countries.

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

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).

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, new business initiatives, investments and operations in foreign jurisdictions, foreign currency fluctuations and the Company's prior restatements and the related litigation and investigation by the SEC and the ongoing inquiry by 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.

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

SOURCE: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Entertainment Media:
IMAX Corporation - Santa Monica
Rebecca Klein
310-255-5656
rklein@imax.com
Principal Communications Group - Los Angeles
Melissa Zuckerman/Paul Pflug
323-658-1555
melissa@pcommgroup.com
paul@pcommgroup.com
Investors:
IMAX Corporation - New York
Heather Anthony
212-821-0121
hanthony@imax.com
Business Media:
IMAX Corporation - New York
Ann Sommerlath
212-821-0155
asommerlath@imax.com
Sloane & Company - New York
Whit Clay
212-446-1864
wclay@sloanepr.com