IMAX Corporation Reports First Quarter 2026 Results

• IMAX reaffirms 2026 full-year guidance, including $1.4 billion in global box office – driven by a strong, diverse upcoming slate including Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Dune: Part Three, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Narnia among at least 14 Filmed For IMAX releases

• Bottom-line growth year-over-year underscores strong operating model, with increases across Net Income (+83%)⁽¹⁾, EPS (+75%)⁽¹⁾, Adjusted Net Income (+33%)⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾ and Adjusted EPS (+31%)⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾

• Project Hail Mary and Avatar: Fire and Ash lead IMAX to $260 million in global box office in the first quarter, highlighted by +75% growth in North America and +60% growth in Rest of World excluding Greater China

• Global network growth and diversification continue with agreements for 42 systems across 10 countries year to date, including largest IMAX agreement ever in Australia and 7 signings to date in Japan

• IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond gradually resuming leadership duties and engaged in key strategic decision-making as he transitions from temporary medical leave

IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX) today reported financial results for the first quarter of 2026, demonstrating the value of its unique global entertainment platform and broad content portfolio.

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Infographic highlighting IMAX's 1Q 2026 earnings results

"IMAX continues to build on the momentum of its record-breaking 2025 and further establish itself as the premier global platform for blockbuster entertainment. As we enter one of the most productive periods of the moviegoing year with among the most promising slates we've seen, we look forward to delivering a record $1.4 billion in global box office for the full year and driving network expansion worldwide," said Natasha Fernandes, Chief Financial Officer, IMAX Corporation.

"The breakout success of Project Hail Mary – a Filmed For IMAX release that more than doubled our initial box office projections – demonstrates what a well-crafted blockbuster can achieve when it leans fully into the IMAX platform. We have several tentpoles this year from the most successful filmmakers in Hollywood that will do just that. Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and Denis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Three broke new ground in selling out IMAX auditoriums up to a year in advance of their releases; Jon Favreau is leveraging IMAX technology in entirely new ways with The Mandalorian and Grogu; and Greta Gerwig will release Narnia with a pioneering IMAX exclusive run."

"We continue to capitalize on our box office success – and renewed optimism among exhibitors given the industry's strong start to 2026 – to further grow and diversify our global network. Our continued momentum in Australia – where we just signed our largest agreement ever for 10 new locations – and Japan with 7 signings year to date underscores the success we're having across our priority growth markets."

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond added, "My recovery from pneumonia is progressing well. I have been discharged from the hospital and will continue to focus on my health in the coming weeks. I want to thank my doctors, my family, the team at IMAX, and everyone for their support. As I transition back from medical leave, I am gradually re-engaging in the business and involved in all strategic decisions at IMAX. The management team is doing an outstanding job and will continue with their day-to-day responsibilities. We have an exciting summer ahead, and the rest of the year promises to be exceptional. I look forward to engaging with all of you soon.

First Quarter Financial Highlights

First Quarter Segment Results⁽¹⁾

Content Solutions Segment

• First quarter Content Solutions revenues and gross margin decreased 8% to $31 million and 22% to $18 million year-over-year, respectively, driven by lower box office in China partially offset by strong growth of 67% outside of Greater China. Greater China's box office was impacted by the combination of the record Chinese New Year in the 2025 comparative period and with the shift of two larger Chinese local language titles now expected later in 2026.

• First quarter global box office of $260 million decreased 13% year-over-year driven by lower box office from Chinese New Year films compared to the first quarter of 2025 when Ne Zha 2 grossed a record $161 million. Top grossing first quarter titles included Avatar: Fire and Ash ($77 million), Project Hail Mary ($66 million), and Pegasus 3 ($34 million).

Technology Products and Services Segment

• First quarter Technology Products and Services revenues and gross margin decreased 4% to $48 million and 8% to $27 million year-over-year, respectively, driven by lower Greater China box office related rental revenues.

• During the first quarter of 2026, the Company installed 19 systems compared to 21 systems in the first quarter of 2025. Of the 2026 installs, 8 systems were under sales arrangements, compared to 14 in the prior year.

• Commercial network growth continued with the number of IMAX locations reaching 1,798 systems as of March 31, 2026 compared to 1,738 systems as of March 31, 2025. The Company ended Q1 2026 with a backlog of 435 IMAX systems.

Operating Cash Flow and Liquidity

Net cash provided by operating activities was $4 million for the first quarter of 2026 compared to net cash provided of $7 million in the prior year period driven by higher lease incentives provided to exhibitor customers of $9 million in 2026 compared to $1 million in 2025.

As of March 31, 2026, the Company's available liquidity was $528 million. The Company's liquidity included cash and cash equivalents of $146 million, $326 million in available borrowing capacity under the Company's credit facility, and $56 million in available borrowing capacity under IMAX China's revolving facilities. Total debt, excluding deferred financing costs, was $300 million as of March 31, 2026.

In 2025, the Company issued $250 million of 0.750% Convertible Senior Notes due 2030 ("2030 Convertible Notes"). In connection with the pricing of the 2030 Convertible Notes, the Company entered into privately negotiated capped call transactions with an initial cap price of $57.10 per share of the Company's common shares.

Share Count and Capital Return

The weighted average basic and diluted shares outstanding in the first quarter of 2026 were 54.1 million and 56.4 million, respectively, compared to 53.1 million and 55.0 million in the first quarter of 2025.

During the first quarter, the Company did not repurchase any common shares.

In June 2025, the Company's Board of Directors approved an extension of its share repurchase program through June 30, 2027 and an increase of approximately $100.0 million in the Company's share repurchase program. As of March 31, 2026, the Company's total share repurchase authority was $500.0 million with approximately $250.7 million available under the program.

Supplemental Materials

For more information about the Company's results, please refer to the IMAX Investor Relations website located at investors.imax.com.

Investor Relations Website

On a monthly basis, the Company posts quarter-to-date box office results on the IMAX Investor Relations website located at investors.imax.com. The Company expects to provide such updates within five business days of month-end, although the Company may change this timing without notice.

The Company may post additional information on the Company's corporate and Investor Relations websites, which may be material to investors. Accordingly, investors, media and others interested in the Company should monitor the Company's website in addition to the Company's press releases, United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or in Canada, the System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR+") filings and public conference calls and webcasts, for additional information about the Company. References to our website address and domain names throughout this release are for informational purposes only, or to fulfill specific disclosure requirements of the SEC's rules or The New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. These references are not intended to, and do not, incorporate the contents of our websites by reference into this release.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call today at 4:30 PM ET to discuss its first quarter 2026 financial results. This call is being webcast and can be accessed at investors.imax.com. To access the call via telephone, interested parties please pre-register at: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI43c844ea58074aaf879105bb47ae3c34 and you will be provided with a dial-in number and unique pin. To avoid delays, we encourage participants to dial into the conference call ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A replay of the call will be available via webcast at investors.imax.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 systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX's network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX's principal executive offices are located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and New York, New York. As of March 31, 2026, there were 1,865 IMAX systems (1,798 commercial multiplexes, 10 commercial destinations, 57 institutional locations) operating in 91 countries and territories.

Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970".

IMAX^®, IMAX^® 3D, Experience It In IMAX^®, The IMAX Experience^®, DMR^®, Filmed For IMAX^®, IMAX Live^®, and IMAX Enhanced^® are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You can also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/imax), X (www.twitter.com/imax), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

Forward-Looking Statements

This earnings release contains forward looking statements that are based on IMAX Corporation (the "Company") management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could affect our future results and cause those results or other outcomes to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "accelerate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "grow," "look forward to," "may," "plan," "potential," "promising," "momentum," "prospects," "will" or the negative or other variations thereon or comparable terminology.

These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding: the Company's business and technology strategies and measures to implement such strategies; the Company's competitive strengths, differentiation, goals, market opportunity and penetration, including opportunities in and expected growth from international markets, momentum and runway for expansion and growth of business, networks, operations and technology; capital allocation, including with respect to share repurchase programs; the Company's technological capabilities and the differentiation thereof; future releases of films and other content to the IMAX network, including the timing of such releases, the anticipated box office revenues, and other effects thereof; plans and references to the future success of the Company and expectations regarding its future operating, financial and technological results, including its box office guidance for 2026; and the Company's management and leadership during its Chief Executive Officer's temporary medical leave of absence and the timing thereof.

These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with the expectations and predictions of the Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to: risks associated with the Company's investments, operations, and future expansion in foreign jurisdictions, including the impact of economic, political and regulatory policies and laws of the United States, Canada, and China, tariffs and other trade regulations, and economic and trade tensions, trade wars, and geopolitical conflicts; risks related to the Company's growth and operations in China, including the impact of industry conditions to both the Company and its partners; the ability of the Company's exhibitor customers to fulfill their contractual payment obligations; risks related to the Company's ability to attract and retain its employee population or the loss of the Company's key personnel; the performance of IMAX remastered films and other films released to the IMAX network; conditions, changes and developments in the commercial exhibition industry; the Company's ability to enter into new IMAX theater system agreements and sales and lease agreements and the effects thereof; fluctuations in operating results and cash flow; currency fluctuations and foreign exchange controls; the potential impact of increased competition in the markets within which the Company operates, including competitive actions by other companies; the ability of the Company to respond to change and advancements in technology, including with respect to AI products and AI-generated content; the potential impacts of consolidation among commercial exhibitors and studios; success of brand extensions and new business initiatives; conditions and competition in the in-home (including streaming) and out-of-home entertainment industries; the Company's ability to identify and pursue new business opportunities (or lack thereof); cybersecurity and data privacy incidents; the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property and to avoid infringing, misappropriating, or violating the intellectual property rights of others; effects of environmental laws and regulations, including with respect to climate change; weather conditions and natural disasters that may disrupt or harm the Company's business; effects of the Company's indebtedness on its cash flow and business activities and the Company's ability to comply with its debt agreements; general economic, market or business conditions; sustained inflationary pressure; political, economic and social instability and the resulting disruptions to the Company's operations or supply chain; the Company's ability to convert system backlog into revenue and cash flows; accuracy of assumptions underlying goodwill impairment assessment and fair value measurements; changes in laws, regulations or accounting principles; any statements of belief and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing; other factors and risks outlined in the Company's periodic filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") or in Canada, the System for Electronic Data Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR+"); and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements made in this earnings release are qualified by these cautionary statements, and actual results or anticipated developments by the Company may not be realized, and even if substantially realized, may not have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company. These factors, other risks and uncertainties and financial details are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be updated in filings the Company makes from time to time with the SEC, including the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

IMAX Network and Backlog

Primary Reporting Groups

The Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") is its Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"), as such term is defined under U.S. GAAP. The CODM assesses segment performance based on segment revenues and segment gross margins. Selling, general and administrative expenses, research and development costs, the amortization of intangible assets, provision for (reversal of) current expected credit losses, certain write-downs, interest income, interest expense, and income tax (expense) benefit are not allocated to the Company's segments.

The Company has two reportable segments:

1. Content Solutions, consists of services provided to studios and other content creators, which principally includes the digital remastering of films and other content into IMAX formats for distribution to the IMAX network. To a lesser extent, the Content Solutions segment also earns revenue from the distribution of large-format documentary films and exclusive experiences ranging from live performances to interactive events with leading artists and creators, as well as film post-production services.
   
   
   
   
2. Technology Products and Services, which includes results from the sale or lease of IMAX Systems, as well as from the maintenance of IMAX Systems to exhibition customers. To a lesser extent, the Technology Product and Services segment also earns revenue from certain ancillary theater business activities, including after-market sales of IMAX System parts and 3D glasses.

Segment Revenue and Gross Margin

IMAX CORPORATION

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

In this release, the Company presents adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per basic and diluted share, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility, Adjusted EBITDA margin and free cash flow as supplemental measures of the Company's performance, which are not recognized under U.S. GAAP.

A reconciliation from net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders and the associated per share amounts to adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income attributable to common shareholders per diluted share is presented in the table below. Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders and the associated per share amounts are the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures because they reflect the earnings relevant to the Company's shareholders, rather than the earnings attributable to non-controlling interests.

Adjusted net income or loss attributable to common shareholders and adjusted net income or loss attributable to common shareholders per basic and diluted share exclude, where applicable: (i) share-based compensation; (ii) realized and unrealized investment gains or losses; (iii) goodwill impairment; (iv) restructuring charges and other impairments; (v) employee retention credits; and (vi) induced conversion expense on settlement of convertible notes; as well as the related tax impact of these adjustments.

The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are important supplemental measures that allow management and users of the Company's financial statements to view operating trends and analyze controllable operating performance on a comparable basis between periods without the after-tax impact of share-based compensation and certain unusual items included in net income attributable to common shareholders. Although share-based compensation is an important aspect of the Company's employee and executive compensation packages, it is a non-cash expense and is excluded from certain internal business performance measures.

In addition to the non-GAAP financial measures discussed above, management also uses "EBITDA," as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement, and which is referred to herein as "Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility" as well as "Adjusted EBITDA margin." As defined in the Credit Agreement, Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility includes adjustments in addition to the exclusion of interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Accordingly, this non-GAAP financial measure is presented to allow a more comprehensive analysis of the Company's operating performance and to provide additional information with respect to the Company's compliance with its Credit Agreement requirements, when applicable. In addition, the Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility and Adjusted EBITDA margin present relevant and useful information widely used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the Company's industry to evaluate, assess and benchmark the Company's results.

EBITDA is defined as net income or loss excluding: (i) income tax expense or benefit; (ii) interest expense, net of interest income; (iii) depreciation and amortization, including film asset amortization; and (iv) amortization of deferred financing costs. Total Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding: (i) share-based and other non-cash compensation expense; (ii) realized and unrealized investment losses or gains; (iii) restructuring and other charges; (iv) write-downs, net of recoveries, including asset impairments and credit loss reversal and (v) induced conversion expense on settlement of convertible notes. Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility is defined as EBITDA excluding: (i) share-based and other non-cash compensation; (ii) realized and unrealized investment gains or losses; (iii) restructuring charges and other impairments; (iv) write-downs, net of recoveries, including goodwill, asset impairments and credit loss expense or reversal and (v) induced conversion expense on settlement of convertible notes. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue.

A reconciliation of net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders, which is the most directly comparable GAAP measure, to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility and Adjusted EBITDA Margin is presented in the table below. Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure because it reflects the earnings relevant to the Company's shareholders, rather than the earnings attributable to non-controlling interests.

In this release, the Company also presents free cash flow, which is not recognized under U.S. GAAP, as a supplemental measure of the Company's liquidity. The Company definition of free cash flow deducts only normal recurring capital expenditures, including the Company's investment in joint revenue sharing arrangements, the purchase of property, plant and equipment and the acquisition of other intangible assets (from the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows), from net cash provided by or used in operating activities. Management believes that free cash flow is a supplemental measure of the cash flow available to reduce debt, add to cash balances, and fund other financing activities. Free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures. A reconciliation of cash used in operating activities to free cash flow is presented below.

Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility

Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Facility

Adjusted Net Income Attributable to Common Shareholders and Adjusted Net Income Per Share

Free Cash Flow

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Investors:

IMAX Corporation, New York

Jennifer Horsley

212-821-0154

jhorsley@imax.com



Media:

IMAX Corporation, New York

Mark Jafar

212-821-0102

mjafar@imax.com