Shares in IMAX jumped more than 10% last week. The climb followed a Wall Street Journal report that the company was exploring a possible sale.
Potential buyers
According to the Wall Street Journal, IMAX representatives have reached out to potential buyers in the entertainment industry. When Reuters approached the company, though, IMAX declined to comment. The lack of official confirmation didn’t slow the market. IMAX stock jumped $3.62 to $37.50, a rise of 10.7%.
Valuable player
Back in December 2025, IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond spoke at an Investors Day. He said consumers were prepared to pay more for IMAX screenings.
He went on to add, “So as this trend accelerates, Imax becomes an incredibly valuable player, either as a wholly differentiated publicly traded company or as part of a larger company with the keys to unlock even greater value and are strong business worldwide.”
Box office share
IMAX accounts for only about 1% of all cinema screens across North America. Yet roughly 20% of opening weekend grosses for films like “Sinners” and “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” came from IMAX screenings. In 2025, the company’s U.S. box office share rose to 5.2%, and its global share climbed to 3.8% from 3.1%.
Best year financially
2025 was also IMAX’s strongest year financially, with a global box office gross of $1.28 billion. That’s up 40% on the previous year. The company posted record results in North America, China and the rest of the world, with grosses of $449 million, $407 million and $427 million.
The momentum hasn’t carried into 2026, though. IMAX reported a 6% drop in revenue to $81.4 million for the first three months of the year. Even so, that figure beat analyst expectations of $80.28 million.
What we think
IMAX had a great 2025, both for box office share and gross takings. The new year has started slower. That dip may be what pushed IMAX to test whether buyers are circling. Timing could help its case. Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey lands this year, and as the first movie shot entirely on IMAX cameras, it’s the ideal showcase to drive a sale. The company has to be hoping the film delivers another bump in box office share and gross takings. Watching a movie on an IMAX screen is a genuinely immersive experience. Here’s hoping the company finds the right buyer to keep its future secure for years to come.
