--Fan-base Buzz Drives Strong Advance Ticket Sales

LOS ANGELES, March 4, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures International and IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today announced that Watchmen, Zack Snyder's highly anticipated film based on the popular graphic novel will open in 124 IMAX(R) theatres domestically on March 6, 2009, simultaneously with the film's wide release. The film will also open in 29 IMAX theatres internationally on the same date. Strong advance ticket sales have already been reported and many IMAX theatres are selling out shows through the opening weekend.

Watchmen: The IMAX 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. This is Zack Snyder's second IMAX release, following Warner Bros. Pictures' 2007 blockbuster 300, which broke multiple IMAX box office records during its run.

"The riveting action and stunning special effects in Watchmen look and sound incredible in IMAX," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures.

Andrew Cripps, President of Paramount Pictures International added, "The IMAX Experience adds an extra level of excitement to an already thrilling movie, allowing moviegoers to make their Watchmen outing a true event."

Many IMAX theatres are reporting very strong advance ticket sales, demonstrating the huge enthusiasm surrounding the movie:

Advance IMAX ticket sales are approaching $2 million with 2 days still to go
More than 100 IMAX shows already sold out
All 124 domestic IMAX theatres have added midnight screenings
Several domestic IMAX theatres are adding 3am shows to meet the demand
Chicago's Navy Pier IMAX theatre has sold out nearly every show for the weekend, with tickets already sold for 3am and 7am shows.
IMAX.com is experiencing increased traffic as visitors turn to the site to purchase advance tickets, download trailers and access the new film widget.
On MovieTickets.com, IMAX ticket sales account for one-third of all Watchmen sales.

"There is strong buzz surrounding this film, and with the recent expansion of the IMAX network, even more people will have the chance to experience Zack Snyder's return to IMAX theatres," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We're delighted to see that many IMAX theatres are already reporting sold out shows, and some are adding additional screenings to accommodate the high demand."

"We think that Zack Snyder's creative vision, experienced in IMAX, will once again resonate very well with the tech-savvy demographic that has made IMAX their cinema of choice," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Our Partners at Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures International are doing a great job of integrating IMAX into all aspects of the release, and it has certainly helped to create this fantastic IMAX/Watchmen anticipation."

Watchmen was originally published by DC Comics as a 12-comic book series between 1986 and 1987, before subsequently being collected into a trade paperback. It is the only graphic novel to win the prestigious Hugo Award or to be named among TIME magazine's "100 Best English Language Novels from 1923 to the Present." The film is directed by Snyder and produced by Lawrence Gordon (Die Hard), Lloyd Levin (United 93) and Deborah Snyder (300), with Herbert W. Gains serving as executive producer.

Watchmen: The IMAX Experience is scheduled to play day-and-date at the following IMAX theatres beginning March 6th.

UNITED STATES

Arizona

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

Arkansas

Little Rock - Chenal 9 IMAX Theatre

California

Aliso Viejo - Edwards Aliso Viejo 20 & IMAX
Anaheim - Movie Experience CinemaFusion 14 + IMAX at Anaheim Gardenwalk
Arcadia - AMC Santa Anita 16 & IMAX
Burbank - AMC Burbank 16 & IMAX
Camarillo - Edwards Camarillo Palace Stadium 12 & 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
Los Angeles - AMC Century City 15 & IMAX
Los Angeles - IMAX Theatre at The Bridge: cinema de lux
Los Angeles - AMC Universal CityWalk Stadium 19 with IMAX
Ontario - Edwards Ontario Palace 22 & IMAX
San Diego - Edwards Mira Mesa Stadium 18 & IMAX
San Jose - AMC Eastridge Mall 15 & IMAX
San Francisco - AMC Loews Metreon 16 with IMAX
Simi Valley - Regal Civic Center Plaza 16 & IMAX
Stockton - Regal City Centre Stadium 16 & IMAX
Torrance - AMC Del Amo 18 & IMAX

Colorado

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

Connecticut

Manchester - IMAX Theatre at Cinema de Lux Buckland Hills 18

Florida

Altamonte Springs - AMC Altamonte Mall 18 & IMAX
Aventura - AMC Aventura 24 & IMAX
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
Tampa - AMC Veterans 24 & IMAX
Tampa - Channelside Cinemas IMAX
Tampa - Regal Waterford Lakes Stadium 20 & IMAX
West Palm Beach - Muvico Parisian 20 & IMAX

Georgia

Augusta - Regal Augusta Exchange Stadium 20 & IMAX
Buford - Regal Mall of Georgia Stadium 20 & 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
Woodridge - Cinemark Seven Bridges IMAX Theatre

Indiana

Evansville - IMAX Theatre at Showplace Cinemas East 18
Indianapolis - Kerasotes ShowPlace 16 & IMAX
Noblesville - Hamilton 16 IMAX
Portage - Portage 16 IMAX

Kansas

Olathe - AMC Studio 30 & IMAX

Kentucky

Louisville - Cinema De Lux 20: Stonybrook IMAX

Louisiana

Harahan - AMC Elmwood Palace 20 & IMAX

Maryland

Baltimore - AMC Loews White Marsh 16 & IMAX
Columbia - AMC Columbia 14 & IMAX

Massachusetts

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 - NGC Trillium Cinema IMAX Theatre
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

Missouri

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

Nebraska

Council Bluffs - Kerasotes Star Cinemas 16 & 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
Las Vegas - Regal Aliante Stadium 16 & IMAX

New Hampshire

Hooksett - Cinemagic & IMAX in Hooksett

New Jersey

Atlantic City -Tropicana Casino and Resort 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
Long Island - Leroy R. and Rose W. Grumman IMAX Dome Theater
New Rochelle - Regal New Roc City 18 & IMAX
New York City - AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13 & IMAX
New York City - AMC Empire 25 & IMAX
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

Ohio

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

Oregon

Tigard - Regal Bridgeport Village Stadium 18 & IMAX

Pennsylvania

Bensalem - AMC Neshaminy 24 & IMAX
Homestead - AMC Waterfront 22 & IMAX
King of Prussia - UA King of Prussia Stadium 16 & IMAX
Reading - RC Reading Movies 11 + IMAX

Rhode Island

Providence - Providence Place Cinemas 16 & IMAX

Tennessee

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

Texas

Dallas - Cinemark IMAX Theatre at Cinemark 17
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
Sugar Land - AMC First Colony 24 & IMAX
Tomball - Santikos Silverado Station 18 IMAX

Utah

Sandy - Megaplex 17 IMAX at Jordan Commons

Virginia

Alexandria - AMC Hoffman Center 22 & IMAX
Midloathian - Regal Commonwealth 20 & IMAX
Virginia Beach - AMC Lynnhaven 18 & IMAX
Woodbridge - AMC Potomac Mills 18 & IMAX

Washington

Lacey - Regal Martin Village Stadium 16 & IMAX
Seattle - Pacific Science Center Boeing IMAX Theatre
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, Bayer's Lake

Ontario

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

Quebec

Montreal - Cineplex Scotiabank Theatre Montreal IMAX Theatre

INTERNATIONAL

Australia

Melbourne - Hoyts Melbourne Highpoint
Melbourne - Melbourne IMAX
Perth - Hoyts Perth Carousel
Sydney - Hoyts Sydney Entertainment Quarter
Sydney - LA IMAX Theater Sydney

France

Paris - Gaumont Disney Village

Hong Kong

Kowloon - UA MegaBox IMAX Theatre*

Korea

Ilsan - CGV Ilsan
Seoul - CGV Wangsipni
Seoul - CGV Yongsan

Mexico

Guadalajara - Cinepolis Gallerias
Mexico City - Cinepolis IMAX Theatre Perisur
Mexico City - Cinepolis IMAX Theatre Universidad
Monterrey - Cinepolis Galerias Valle Oriente
Toluca - Cinepolis Galerias Metepec

Netherlands

Amsterdam - Pathe Arena IMAX

New Zealand

Auckland - SKYCITY IMAX Theatre Queen Street

Russia

Moscow - KinoStar City @ Mega Belaya Dacha, Moscow
St. Petersburg - Coca Cola IMAX Kinostar

South Africa

Durban - Gateway IMAX
Pretoria - Menlyn IMAX

Spain

Barakaldo - Yelmo Cines Megapark
Malaga - Yelmo Cines Plaza Mayor
Oviedo - Yelmo Cines Los Prados

Taiwan

Taipei - Samsung IMAX Miramar Cinemas

UK

Greenwich - ODEON Greenwich
London - BFI London IMAX Cinema
Manchester - ODEON Manchester IMAX Cinema at The Printworks
Wimbledon - ODEON Wimbledon

Ukraine

Kiev - Utel IMAX Theatre

*denotes later launch

Additional theatres will be confirmed. Please check local listings or IMAX.com for final theatre listings, launch dates and showtimes.

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(R) 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. IMAX's renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world's biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of September 30, 2008, there were 320 IMAX theatres operating in 42 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), The IMAX 3D Experience(R), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

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.

SOURCE IMAX Corporation