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Spider-Man 3 Spins Largest Opening in IMAX History

Contributing to SPIDER-MAN 3's record-breaking opening of $151 million was the largest IMAX bow as well. The blockbuster from Columbia Pictures grossed an estimated $6.3 million overall on 84 domestic and 34 international IMAX screens and $4.8 million domestically from May 4-6, marking the largest opening in IMAX's 40-year history. The movie also broke the record for IMAX's largest single-day worldwide total at $2.2 million and posted an impressive domestic opening weekend per-screen average of $57,147. The movie's overall worldwide debut total was an estimated $381 million (according to boxofficemojo).

"We are ecstatic about the opening results in both traditional theaters, as well as IMAX venues," said Rory Bruer, president, domestic distribution, Sony Pictures Releasing. "The IMAX release offers fans of SPIDER-MAN another unique and exciting way to experience the film, and we are encouraged by the contribution it has already made to the film's overall box office performance."

"The weekend results from SPIDER-MAN 3 didn't just break our previous opening record, they blew it away," said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Several IMAX theaters were installed to open in time for SPIDER-MAN 3, and we are delighted to see that these theaters are already translating into new IMAX audiences -- which means greater box office returns for the studio and exhibitors."

"You know you have a hit on your hands when theater operators are adding extra shows and some of our theaters are even staying open 24 hours to keep up with the high consumer demand," added Greg Foster, chairman/president, IMAX Filmed Ent. "Sony Pictures Ent., Columbia Pictures and the SPIDER-MAN filmmakers have delivered a history-making blockbuster to the IMAX theater network, and the high advance IMAX tickets sales for next week gives us great confidence that this film is going to continue to be a significant draw at IMAX locations throughout the spring."

SPIDER-MAN 3 has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of THE IMAX EXPERIENCE with proprietary IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) technology, creating a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in digital and film-based motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theaters delivering some of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR technology. As of Sept. 30, 2006, there were 280 IMAX theaters operating in 40 countries.

Bill Desowitz's picture

Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.

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