IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Superman Returns grossed $108 million at the domestic box office in 4,065 locations over the extended fourth of July weekend, and that “Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience” contributed $6.83 million, representing a record seven-day per-screen average of $89,804. The film shattered every opening week record for an IMAX Hollywood simultaneous release, playing to sell-out crowds and strong audience satisfaction. The film also opened on 11 IMAX® screens internationally and will launch on 24 more in coming weeks.
“We are thrilled with the initial success of ‘Superman Returns’ in both conventional theatres and IMAX® theatres,” said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. “The special IMAX®3D release has been well received by moviegoers across the country, and will continue to play to sell-out crowds.”
“These phenomenal results demonstrate the consumer enthusiasm for experiencing ‘Superman Returns’ in IMAX 3D,” said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. “We are confident that this amazing film and the immersive quality of The IMAX Experience® will continue to draw audiences to the growing IMAX theatre network.”
The film opened strong in several key international territories, with a record international seven-day per-screen average of $67,888 and many IMAX theatres reporting record performances and numerous sold-out shows.
“The IMAX 3D release of ‘Superman Returns’ is off to an incredible start in Asia and based on strong pre-sales in Europe, it looks like this is the beginning of a worldwide success story,” said Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures. “We look forward to reaching an even wider audience as we continue to open the film during the next few weeks in IMAX theatres internationally.”
“Through the amazing execution of Bryan Singer’s vision and our partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures, IMAX has transported audiences directly into the adventure of Superman,” added Greg Foster, Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. “Audiences literally reach out to touch Superman as he flies toward them in the IMAX 3D sequences, and this unique offering is translating into unprecedented box office results for IMAX.”
IMAX Corporation used its proprietary 2D to 3D conversion technology to successfully complete the conversion of approximately 20 minutes of Superman Returns into An IMAX 3D Experience®, the most immersive cinematic 3D in the world. During four select sequences of the film, a visual cue designed by Singer indicates when audiences should put on and remove their IMAX 3D glasses. The film has been transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology.
Source: IMAX Corporation
