The film industry is witnessing a remarkable resurgence, promising an exhilarating year for IMAX. CEO Rich Gelfond recently emphasized that the company is poised to achieve an unprecedented $1.2 billion in box office sales in 2025. This ambitious prediction comes at a time when audiences are gradually rebuilding their enthusiasm for theatrical releases, especially after a softer year in 2024, which saw box office numbers slip by 3.4% compared to 2023. Gelfond’s assertions, shared in an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” suggest that the upcoming calendar year will be marked by a remarkable slate of films set to reignite box office excitement and attendance.
The array of blockbuster films expected to grace the silver screen over the next several months is indeed impressive. From the latest installment of the “Mission Impossible” series to an eagerly anticipated live-action adaptation of “How to Train Your Dragon,” the diversity of genres and franchises is expected to attract a wide audience. Furthermore, sequels to established favorites like “Jurassic Park,” “Zootopia,” and a third “Avatar” installment reinforce the trend towards mainstream cinema that thrives on recognizability and fan loyalty. Gelfond believes that the strength of the film slate will be the primary driver of IMAX’s financial resurgence.
While the domestic box office faced challenges, IMAX has found significant success in the international market, particularly with the Chinese film “Ne Zha 2.” This film has shattered records, becoming the first cinematic release to exceed $1 billion in box office receipts within a single country. IMAX has played a notable role in this unprecedented success, contributing a substantial $135 million to the film’s global figures. Gelfond’s insights reveal that the company is doing remarkably well in China, outperforming its entire box office performance from the previous year in just the first few weeks of 2025.
With IMAX accounting for approximately 13% of the box office receipts for “Ne Zha 2,” it is clear that the company continues to carve out a significant niche in the market. As audiences worldwide begin to emerge from the pandemic-induced hiatus in film viewing, the excitement surrounding upcoming releases could very well translate into increased ticket sales. Furthermore, the combination of high-quality presentation and immersive storytelling that IMAX offers positions the company favorably in a competitive industry landscape that constantly seeks innovative ways to entice viewers back to theaters.
IMAX’s projected earnings for 2025 reflect not just the company’s strength, but the revitalization of a movie-going culture that was temporarily set back by external factors. The blend of blockbuster releases, robust international markets, and IMAX’s unique offerings contribute to a hopeful outlook for the film industry. While the road to recovery from previous years may be long, the prospects for IMAX appear not only promising but indicative of a larger renaissance in cinema as audiences rediscover the joy of experiencing films in theaters.