IMAX and Warner Bros. Pictures have crossed the $400 million mark at the IMAX box office with films released through the partnership between the two companies.
Since June 2003, Warners has released 16 titles in IMAX's format, five of which were in IMAX 3-D, including two live action pictures that were partially converted into 3-D with IMAX's proprietary 2-D to 3-D conversion technology.
All titles were digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience using IMAX's proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-Mastering) technology. Also included in the tally are the studio's two original IMAX 3-D co-productions.
"Our successful partnership with IMAX has helped to shape an entirely new distribution window and a completely new form of premium cinematic entertainment," said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warners. "The IMAX theater network has enabled us to generate incremental box office returns, and we are very enthusiastic about our upcoming film slate, which will include both original IMAX 3-D programming and our tent-pole releases."
"The IMAX release adds a layer of excitement to major titles, and with more audiences looking for something special at the movies, we anticipate continued strong box office returns from these theaters internationally," said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warners.
The studio's IMAX releases that contributed to the $400 million milestone include THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, THE MATRIX RELOADED, HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN, THE POLAR EXPRESS (in IMAX 3-D), BATMAN BEGINS, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE, V FOR VENDETTA, POSEIDON, SUPERMAN RETURNS (in IMAX 3-D), THE ANT BULLY (in IMAX 3-D), HAPPY FEET, 300, HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX (in IMAX 3-D), BEOWULF (international) and I AM LEGEND.
The original IMAX 3-D films co-produced and released with Warners include NASCAR 3D: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE (2003), which has grossed nearly $24 million at the IMAX box office, and DEEP SEA 3D (2006), which has grossed $64 million at the IMAX box office on a limited number of screens, and it is still playing well throughout the IMAX network.
"Warner Bros. Pictures has been instrumental in bringing The IMAX Experience into mainstream," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "They were the first studio to release a feature film in IMAX 3-D, the first studio to release a live action film that had been converted into 3-D, and they introduced the world to a whole new brand of original IMAX 3-D programming that is both educational and entertaining. We look forward to continued success with them and their incredible filmmakers as we collaborate in the release of a broad range of pictures over the next few years."
The 2008, 2009 and 2010 lineup for Warners and IMAX currently include SPEED RACER (May 9), THE DARK KNIGHT (July 18), HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (November 21), UNDER THE SEA 3D (February 2009) and HUBBLE 3D (February 2010).
