Press Release from IMAX Corporation
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 14, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq:IMAX) (TSX:IMX) and Twentieth Century Fox today announced that James Cameron's Avatar will open in 178 IMAX(R) theatres domestically on December 18, 2009, simultaneously with the motion picture's premiere in conventional theatres. The IMAX(R) 3D release will also open in 83 IMAX theatres internationally starting on December 16th, for a total of 261 theatres, making this the Company's widest release to date.

Avatar is directed and written by Academy Award Winner James Cameron and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle
Rodriguez and Sigourney Weaver. Avatar has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX
Experience(R).

"Our goal with Avatar is to revolutionize live-action 3D moviemaking, and it looks and sounds incredible in IMAX 3D," said director James Cameron. "The larger field of view and powerful surround sound of an IMAX theatre will immerse the audience in a way that cannot be experienced anywhere else."

"This movie represents the essence of The IMAX Experience, which is to transport people to places they normally couldn't go," said IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond. "Moviegoers can experience this movie in IMAX 3D in more theatres than ever before, and we're already seeing strong pre-sales and sold out shows beyond opening weekend."

"James Cameron is a genius filmmaker. His vision and 3D expertise has made Avatar a natural fit for IMAX," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "Every aspect of this film was meticulously designed for 3D, so when audiences experience this revolutionary film in an IMAX 3D theatre, they will feel as if they are actually IN the movie."

Avatar is the story of an ex-Marine who finds himself thrust into hostilities on an alien planet filled with exotic life forms. As an
Avatar, a human mind in an alien body, he finds himself torn between two worlds, in a desperate fight for his own survival and that of the indigenous people. More than ten years in the making, Avatar marks Cameron's return to feature directing since helming 1997's Titanic, the highest grossing film of all time and winner of eleven Oscars(r) including Best Picture. WETA Digital, renowned for its work in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and King Kong, will incorporate new intuitive CGI technologies to transform the environments and characters into photorealistic 3D imagery that will transport the audience into the alien world rich with imaginative vistas, creatures and characters.

Avatar: An IMAX 3D Experience is scheduled to play day-and-date at the following IMAX(R) Theatres beginning December 18th.

UNITED STATES

Arizona
Mesa - Dickinson Gateway 12 IMAX Theatre
Phoenix - AMC Deer Valley 30 with IMAX
Phoenix - AMC Desert Ridge 18 with IMAX
Tempe - Harkins IMAX at Arizona Mills
Arkansas
Little Rock - Dickinson Chenal 9 IMAX Theatre
California
Alhambra - Edwards Renaissance Stadium 14 + IMAX
Aliso Viejo - Edwards Aliso Viejo Stadium 20 & IMAX
Anaheim - CinemaFusion 14 + IMAX
Arcadia - AMC Santa Anita 16 & IMAX
Burbank - AMC Burbank 30 & IMAX
Camarillo - Edwards Camarillo Palace Stadium 12 & IMAX
Cathedral City - Desert IMAX Theatre
Covina - AMC Covina 30 with IMAX
Cupertino - AMC Cupertino 16 & 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 - Fresno Stadium 21 + IMAX
Irvine - Edwards Irvine Spectrum IMAX
Long Beach - Edwards Long Beach 26 & 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
National City - AMC Plaza Bonita 14 & IMAX
Ontario - Edwards Ontario Palace 22 & IMAX
Riverside - AMC Tyler Galleria 16 with IMAX
Rowland Heights - AMC Puente Hills 20 with IMAX
Sacramento - Esquire IMAX
San Diego - AMC Palm Promenade 24 & IMAX