电影这玩意也不例外，你甭说是比屏幕尺寸，还是比观影体验，那都不可能绕得开：IMAX。 毕竟这玩意主打一个巨大且高耸，哥们第一次去的时候，光看到这占据全部视野的银幕，都直呼好家伙，真TM大。 有一说一，人类在各方面的追求都是大就是美。甭管是天上飞的导弹还是地上跑的车，甚至生物繁衍进化都遵循这定律。 不过咱今天说这个，倒不是因为电影，而是IMAX技术的奠基人，大卫·基格利（David Keighley）去世了，老头享年78岁。 该说不说，这个名字确实有点陌生，别说咱中国人，不少美国人估计也没听过。 但是不少好莱坞明星和导演们，都转发新闻悼念了这老头，规格相当高。比如克里斯托弗·诺兰就说，如果没有这老头，好莱坞导演们就没法拍电影。 维伦纽瓦也感叹说，有些人是不可替代的，就比如这老头。卡梅隆也说这是他真正的盟友。 不过对咱们来说，虽然大家都没见过他，但你买的每一张IMAX电影票，背后都有这个老头给你提供服务。 所以某种意义上，这也算是又一位离开咱们的老哥们了。 但要仔细唠一下这老头到底干了啥，咱还是得从IMAX的发明说起。 众所周知，拍电影一定要有摄像机。但是比起一般的电影，IMAX这玩意尤其不好拍，自打一开始就难。 ...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) today announced that "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle†continued its impressive global rollout with a $20 million weekend worldwide — led by a stunning $13 million opening in North America, representing 19% of the film's Domestic box office. The strong result marked the biggest IMAX domestic opening ever for a local language release and pushed IMAX to a record $316 million in local language box office for 2025 — far surpass. ...

Core Insights - Imax reported a significant increase in profits and revenue, surpassing Wall Street expectations with a 19% year-on-year rise in global box office and achieving its highest domestic quarter grossing $143 million [1][4]. Group 1: Financial Performance - Net income surged 139% to $12.2 million for the three months ended in June, with revenue increasing by 3% to $91.7 million [4]. - Imax continues to project a global box office of $1.2 billion by 2025 [4]. Group 2: Market Position and Strategy - The company achieved at least 10% of the domestic opening on seven consecutive "filmed for Imax" releases this summer, with a 20% share for key titles [2]. - Imax has signed for 124 new and upgraded systems worldwide year-to-date, indicating strong growth in network expansion [4]. Group 3: Industry Trends - The fundamentals of Imax's business are strong, with record box office performance in North America and increased market share due to more releases filmed with Imax technology [5]. - Consumer preference is shifting towards premium theatrical experiences, and studios are increasingly incorporating Imax formats into their marketing strategies for major releases [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IMAX Corporation achieved nearly $300 million in global box office for Q1 2025, marking its best first quarter ever [10] - Revenue for Q1 was $87 million, up 10% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA margin at 42.7%, an increase of over 200 basis points year-over-year [34][40] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $37 million, reflecting a 15% increase year-over-year [39] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Content Solutions revenues grew to $34 million, with a gross margin of $24 million, up 7% year-over-year [35] - Technology products and services revenues increased to $51 million, up 17% year-over-year, with a gross margin of $29 million, up 23% [36] - The company installed 21 systems worldwide in Q1, its second-best first quarter for installations, with a total backlog of 516 systems, up 17% year-over-year [29][38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - IMAX Corporation's global market share reached 3.5% in Q1, with a record 5.4% in China [35] - Local language films accounted for 68% of IMAX's box office in Q1 2025, a significant increase from 21% in 2023 [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on expanding its local language film strategy, with significant growth expected in markets like China, Japan, and India [15][18] - IMAX Corporation is leveraging its relationships with studios and filmmakers to enhance its content offerings and maintain a diverse programming slate [14][46] - The company is optimistic about its future slate, with a strong pipeline of films scheduled through the end of the decade [32][46] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the recent reduction in Hollywood imports in China will not materially impact IMAX's business, as it primarily affects smaller budget films [12][55] - The company anticipates continued growth in box office performance, driven by a strong film slate and increasing consumer interest [45][46] - Management highlighted the resilience of the IMAX brand and its ability to thrive in various economic cycles [32] Other Important Information - The company reported cash flow from operations of $7 million in Q1, an improvement of $18 million year-over-year [42] - IMAX Corporation's capital position remains strong, with $97 million in cash and over $400 million in available liquidity [44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of Hollywood film imports reduction in China - Management indicated that there is increased interest in films and no reduction in activity in the Chinese market, with a positive narrative surrounding IMAX [51][55] Question: Factors affecting the percentage of films shot with IMAX cameras - Management stated that the primary limiting factor is the availability of slots for films rather than the number of cameras [58] Question: Strength of IMAX's performance in China - Management noted that the strong performance was uniform across all markets, driven by effective marketing strategies and a special film release [64][66] Question: Concerns about the health of the consumer - Management expressed confidence that IMAX remains an affordable luxury, with box office performance resilient even during economic downturns [104] Question: Brand perception of IMAX in China - Management clarified that IMAX is viewed as a local prestige brand in China, with strong consumer appreciation [135]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - IMAX reported nearly $300 million in global box office for Q1 2025, marking its best first quarter ever [7] - Revenue for Q1 was $87 million, up 10% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA of $37 million, an increase of 15% year-over-year, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 42.7% [21][25] - Cash flow from operations improved by $18 million year-over-year, totaling $7 million in Q1 [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Content solutions revenues grew to $34 million, with a gross margin of $24 million, up 7% year-over-year, driven by record box office performance [22] - Technology products and services revenues increased to $51 million, up 17% year-over-year, with a gross margin of $29 million, up 23% [22] - The company installed 21 systems in Q1, its second-best first quarter for installations, with a total of 101 new and upgraded systems signed year-to-date [17][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - IMAX achieved a global market share of 3.5% and a record 5.4% in China during Q1 [22] - Local language films accounted for 68% of IMAX's box office in Q1 2025, a significant increase from 12% in 2019 and 21% in 2023 [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - IMAX is focusing on expanding its local language film strategy, with significant box office success from films like Nezha, which grossed $182 million during Chinese New Year [10] - The company is leveraging its relationships with studios and exhibitors to enhance its programming slate and expand its global network [9][20] - IMAX plans to continue its growth trajectory by tapping into emerging film markets in regions like Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Indonesia [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the Hollywood slate and the potential impact of upcoming blockbusters, emphasizing a strong pipeline of films through the end of the decade [9][28] - The company remains optimistic about its performance in China, despite concerns about potential reductions in Hollywood film imports [8][34] - Management highlighted the resilience of the IMAX brand and its ability to thrive in various economic cycles, with expectations for continued growth in box office and network expansion [20][28] Other Important Information - The company has a strong liquidity position with over $400 million available, including $300 million in borrowing capacity [27] - IMAX's adjusted EPS for Q1 was $0.13, reflecting a higher year-over-year deduction for non-controlling interest associated with strong IMAX China results [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of Hollywood film reductions on IMAX - Management indicated that the expected reduction in Hollywood films would primarily affect smaller budget films, which do not significantly impact IMAX's business [34][36] Question: Local language film performance in China - Management noted that the strong performance in China was uniform across all market tiers, driven by effective marketing strategies and the success of local films [44][46] Question: Theatrical windows and their impact - Management stated that IMAX does not view PVOD windows as competitive and emphasized the importance of content diversity over windowing issues [56][58] Question: Visibility of upcoming films in China - Management confirmed strong visibility into the film slate for China, with several local language films already announced for the year [64][68] Question: Consumer behavior during recessionary periods - Management expressed confidence that IMAX remains an affordable luxury, with historical data showing resilience during economic downturns [78][80] Question: Brand perception in China - Management clarified that IMAX is viewed as a local prestige brand in China, with strong consumer value associated with it [104][105]