Moviegoers Race Into IMAX(R) Theatres to See NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, As Film Sets Opening Weekend IMAX Record
Warner Bros. Pictures' First IMAX(R) 3D Film Marks the Best Opening Ever for an Originally Produced IMAX(R) Film
LOS ANGELES, March 15 -- IMAX Corporation , the world leader in large format entertainment technology, and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced the record-breaking opening weekend box office performance of their first IMAX(R) 3D film collaboration, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience. Over the three-day weekend, the film grossed $1,467,406 in 68 IMAX(R) theatres in North America. NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience set the record for both the highest grossing opening weekend for an IMAX originally produced film and the highest per-screen average for an IMAX 3D film. At an impressive $21,579 per-screen average, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience was significantly higher than the per-screen averages of the weekend's top ten highest grossing films.
IMAX theatres in all regions of the country, including cities such as Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Little Rock, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Providence, sold out the majority of their shows. Many theatres throughout the IMAX network drew new audiences and shattered house records making NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience the most successful film opening for several IMAX theatres.
"We are very excited about the initial box office success of our first IMAX 3D film," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. "The powerful 3D images in NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience, combined with the superior sound of an IMAX theatre, captures NASCAR racing in a way that is truly unique and captivating-placing audiences right in the driver's seat and in pit row."
"We are thrilled that NASCAR 3D:The IMAX Experience had such a terrific opening weekend and has received outstanding critical response. We congratulate our partners at Warner Bros. Pictures, NASCAR and the filmmakers on the successful opening of their first IMAX 3D film," said IMAX President of Filmed Entertainment, Greg Foster. "Moviegoers' reactions this past weekend at our commercial theatres as well as our institutional theatres have been enthusiastic, which underscores this film as a great fit for the entire IMAX theatre network."
"It's great to see that people are experiencing the excitement of NASCAR through the power of The IMAX Experience(R)," said Paul Brooks, President of NASCAR Digital Entertainment. "NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience enables us to inform and excite people about this great American sport with an authentic and immersive 'behind the scenes' look at all aspects of NASCAR. We are hearing great reviews from our core fans and that is the best indicator we could possibly have."
Narrated by Kiefer Sutherland and sponsored by AOL for Broadband, NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience provides an insider's perspective of America's number one spectator sport. Through the magic of IMAX 3D technology, audiences are transported into the driver's seat as they experience the heart-pumping action on the track, in the pit and behind the scenes. The film is being presented on the world's largest screens, up to eight stories high, with crystal clear images and 12,000 watts of pulsating digital surround sound.
NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience is sponsored by AOL for Broadband and is distributed exclusively to IMAX(R) Theatres by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, and IMAX Corporation.
This film has been rated "PG" by the MPAA for "some crash scenes." www.imax.com/racing / AOL Keyword: IMAX NASCAR About IMAX Corporation
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX's businesses include the creation and delivery of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX and IMAX 3D technology, and the development of the highest quality digital production and presentation. IMAX has developed revolutionary technology called IMAX DMR(R) (Digital Re-mastering) that makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive family entertainment experiences. As of December 2003, there were 240 IMAX theatres operating in 34 countries.
IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, 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 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 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, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 and in the subsequent reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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