IMAX Roars to Biggest Hollywood Opening in More Than a Year with $12.4 Million International Debut of "Godzilla vs. Kong"

Led by $9.4 Million Bow in China, IMAX Captures 10% of Opening Weekend Global Box Office on Only 1% of Overall Screens

News provided by

Mar 28, 2021, 14:09 ET

NEW YORK, March 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) delivered a roaring international debut for "Godzilla vs. Kong," earning $12.4 million for the weekend across 891 screens in 40 markets worldwide. In a positive sign as the summer blockbuster season approaches, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures' epic kaiju clash scored the biggest opening weekend in IMAX for a Hollywood film since December 2019.

China led the way as the highest grossing IMAX market with $9.4 million in weekend box office — good for 14% of the film's total Chinese box office on only 1% of screens in the market. Worldwide, IMAX delivered 10% of the film's weekend box office despite accounting for just 1% of screens — continuing IMAX's history of strong market share with the "Monsterverse" franchise.

"Godzilla vs. Kong" expands to at least 1170 IMAX screens worldwide on March 31 when it debuts in North America — where pre-sales have been brisk with multiple shows already sold out across top-performing IMAX locations.

"'Godzilla vs. Kong' demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible and audiences worldwide are answering the call — continuing to drive market share gains for IMAX and proving there is real business to be done for Hollywood blockbusters," said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. "We are particularly encouraged by the film's strong debut in China, where audiences turned out in a big way for this Hollywood franchise."

"Godzilla vs. Kong" currently stands as king among the films in the "Monsterverse," winning the franchise's biggest IMAX opening weekend in thirteen markets, including China, India, and Russia. In China, IMAX screens are featured in each of the film's top ten highest grossing theaters. Despite capacity limitations of up to 50%, numerous markets delivered healthy per screen averages in IMAX theaters, including Australia ($63K), Hong Kong ($51K), Saudi Arabia ($43K), Thailand ($31K), UAE ($21K) and Singapore ($21K).

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theaters to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of December 31, 2020, there were 1,650 IMAX theater systems (1,562 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 76 institutional) operating in 84 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® Dome, IMAX® 3D, IMAX® 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, An IMAX Experience®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, IMAX DMR®, DMR®, IMAX nXos® and Films to the Fullest^®, are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).