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As Hollywood prepares to unleash its summer arsenal of would-be blockbusters, Kinepolis Group and Imax Corporation are betting big on premium theatrical experiences with a multi-territory expansion announced Monday at CinemaCon.
The deal calls for nine new state-of-the-art Imax with laser systems to be installed across the Belgium-based exhibitor’s international footprint, nearly doubling Kinepolis’ Imax presence in Europe while extending their partnership into new territories.
The agreement arrives as Imax wraps a robust first quarter and positions itself for a summer slate featuring more “Filmed for Imax” titles than ever before, including the anticipated “Sinners,” “Thunderbolts,” “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” “The Fantastic Four,” “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Superman.”
The European expansion includes seven new locations across France (1), Belgium (1), Spain (2), and the Netherlands (3) — marking Imax’s first foray into the Dutch market with Kinepolis. Additional locations will open in the U.S. and Canada through Kinepolis subsidiaries MJR Theatres and Landmark Cinemas.
“We are dedicated to providing premium cinema experiences that cater to the growing demand for richer and more immersive moviegoing,” said Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group, in a statement. “Imax has consistently proven its ability to elevate the viewing experience of Hollywood’s biggest films.”
Imax chief Rich Gelfond touted the expansion as further evidence of exhibitors’ growing confidence in premium formats. “As we close out a strong quarter for system sales and enter a blockbuster season full of films made to be seen in Imax, it is clear that demand for our platform is growing,” Gelfond said.
The nine-theater commitment builds upon a previous 2023 pact that called for eight Imax systems, effectively tripling the partners’ footprint since early last year. Under the new agreement, eight of the locations will begin operating before year’s end.
All new installations will feature Imax with laser technology, the company’s premium 4K projection system with enhanced color spectrum and contrast capabilities specifically engineered for Imax’s large-format screens.
