IMAX Posts Impressive Domestic SKYFALL™ Numbers With Estimated $12.75 Million Opening Weekend

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX), Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that SKYFALL™ has grossed an estimated $12.75 million in 320 IMAX® theatres in North America, resulting in an IMAX per-screen average of approximately $40,000. SKYFALL's weekend gross marks IMAX's best-ever opening, exclusive of those occurring during the summer months.  Overall, the film took in an estimated $87.8 million this weekend at the domestic box office, for a cumulative total of approximately $90 million since opening nationwide.

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The 23^rd chapter in the iconic James Bond film franchise also grossed an estimated $2.7 million in 127 IMAX theatres internationally this weekend, with totals from overseas IMAX theatres reaching approximately $14.5 million after 17 days of international release. In a number of these international markets, SKYFALL in IMAX ranked among the highest-grossing titles ever. As of end of day Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012, the estimated IMAX global cumulative SKYFALL box office is $27.25 million.  The film's overall global cume stands at $518.6 million.

Commenting on the announcement, Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures, said, "In each and every country where we've opened the film, SKYFALL has performed spectacularly, and IMAX is a terrific complement to the release.  We're especially gratified to see US audiences respond to the film in such a huge way this weekend."

"Bond is back in a big way," said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.  "SKYFALL has taken the series to a new level. The appeal of this globally beloved franchise is clear from the way audiences are embracing the film, and IMAX is poised for what we believe will be a long and successful run."   

The IMAX presentation of SKYFALL has been specially formatted to feature a larger aspect ratio than the conventional release for the entirety of the film. This aspect ratio, which is optimized to take advantage of the IMAX screen, allows audiences to see more of the image and result in a full panorama of the action – further immersing them into the vast scale and scope of the film.

The IMAX release of SKYFALL has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About SKYFALL™ 
Daniel Craig is back as Ian Fleming's James Bond 007 in SKYFALL™, the 23rd adventure in the longest-running film franchise of all time.  In SKYFALL, Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.  As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.  The film is from Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.  Directed by Sam Mendes.  Produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.  Written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. 

About Albert R. Broccoli's EON Productions

EON Productions Limited and Danjaq LLC are wholly owned and controlled by the Broccoli/Wilson family. Danjaq is the US based company that co-owns, with MGM, the copyright in the existing James Bond films and controls the right to produce future James Bond films as well as all worldwide merchandising.   EON Productions, an affiliate of Danjaq, is the UK based production company which makes the James Bond films.   The 007 franchise is the longest running in film history with twenty-three films produced since 1962.  Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli succeeded Albert R 'Cubby' Broccoli and have produced some of the most successful Bond films ever including CASINO ROYALE, QUANTUM OF SOLACE and SKYFALL.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is a leading entertainment company focused on the production and distribution of film and television content globally.  The company owns one of the world¹s deepest libraries of premium film and television content.  In addition, MGM has investments in domestic and international television channels, including MGM-branded channels. For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

About Sony Pictures Entertainment 
Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in 159 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with offices in London, Tokyo, Shanghai and Beijing.  As of Sept. 30, 2012, there were 689 IMAX theatres (556 commercial multiplex, 20 commercial destination and 113 institutional) in 52 countries.

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience® and IMAX Is Believing® 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 IMAX 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. These risks and uncertainties are discussed in IMAX's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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SOURCE IMAX Corporation