With the French box office surging, Imax has unveiled ambitious plans for expansion in the country as it aims to nearly triple the number of its systems from the 22 currently in operation to more than 60.
Underscoring the company’s growth prospects in this dynamic cinema market and around the world, Imax also announced an agreement with Belgian exhibitor Kinepolis for eight new and upgraded systems, including one new system in Nimes, France.
Imax continues to drive strong momentum in France across box office, network growth, and its content portfolio.
France has emerged as one of the strongest post-pandemic cinema markets in the world, and, at number seven, is currently a top ten global Imax market in 2023.
Imax just delivered its best first quarter ever at the French box office with $9.3 million in Q1 2023, on the heels of its highest grossing quarter of all time in France with $9.5 million in Q4 2022.
Year to date in 2023, Imax has already delivered more than 50 percent of what it did in 2019, its highest grossing year ever in France with $21.9 million.
Hollywood blockbusters are booming in France, where Avatar: The Way of Water gave Imax its highest grossing film of all time in France with $13.5 million — more than triple the next highest grossing film.
Imax also continues to increase its pipeline of local French films, including 2022 Notre Dame on Fire — the first French film shot with Imax cameras — and April 2023’s The Three Musketeers: D’Artangan, now the highest grossing French local language film ever for the company.
France is also one of the markets where Imax has been most focused on delivering experiences beyond blockbusters, including Indochine’s Central Tour, the first concert ever recorded with Imax cameras, which topped the French box office in November 2022.