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IMAX

IMAX Q1 2026 Earnings

Reported Apr 30, 2026 at 4:16 PM ET · SEC Source

Q1 26 EPS

$0.17

BEAT +10.75%

Est. $0.15

Q1 26 Revenue

$81.4M

BEAT +1.85%

Est. $79.9M

vs S&P Since Q1 26

+3.7%

BEATING MARKET

IMAX +6.6% vs S&P +2.8%

Market Reaction

Did IMAX Beat Earnings? Q1 2026 Results

IMAX Corp delivered a beat on both the top and bottom lines in Q1 2026, though the headline revenue figure told a more complicated story. The company posted adjusted diluted EPS of $0.17, ahead of the $0.15 consensus by 10.75%, while revenue of $81.3… Read more IMAX Corp delivered a beat on both the top and bottom lines in Q1 2026, though the headline revenue figure told a more complicated story. The company posted adjusted diluted EPS of $0.17, ahead of the $0.15 consensus by 10.75%, while revenue of $81.38 million edged past estimates by 1.85%, even as total sales declined 6.1% year over year to $81.38 million. The primary culprit was Greater China, where the prior-year quarter had been inflated by the phenomenon of Ne Zha 2, which generated a record $161 million for IMAX in Q1 2025, making the comparison nearly impossible to clear. Elsewhere, the picture was considerably brighter: North America box office grew 75% and Rest of World ex-China climbed 60%, fueled by Avatar: Fire and Ash and Project Hail Mary, which more than doubled initial projections. IMAX reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance of $1.4 billion in global box office, with Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Dune: Part Three, and The Mandalorian and Grogu anchoring an upcoming slate of at least 14 Filmed For IMAX releases.

Key Takeaways

  • • Avatar: Fire and Ash grossed $77 million in global IMAX box office in Q1
  • • Project Hail Mary breakout success with $66 million, more than doubling initial box office projections
  • • North America box office grew 75% year-over-year
  • • Rest of World excluding Greater China box office grew 60% year-over-year
  • • Lower Greater China box office due to tough Ne Zha 2 comparison in Q1 2025
  • • Content Solutions revenue outside Greater China grew 67%
  • • Lower income tax expense of $2.4 million vs $7.3 million in prior year

IMAX Forward Guidance & Outlook

IMAX reaffirmed its 2026 full-year guidance, including $1.4 billion in global box office, driven by a strong and diverse upcoming slate featuring at least 14 Filmed For IMAX releases including Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, Dune: Part Three, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Narnia. The company noted two larger Chinese local language titles have shifted to later in 2026. Management expressed renewed optimism among exhibitors given the industry's strong start to 2026 and continued momentum in priority growth markets including Australia and Japan.

24/7 Wall St

IMAX YoY Financials

Q1 2026 vs Q1 2025, source: SEC Filings

24/7 Wall St

IMAX Revenue by Segment

With YoY comparisons, source: SEC Filings

Q1 25 Q1 26

“My recovery from pneumonia is progressing well. I have been discharged from the hospital and will continue to focus on my health in the coming weeks. I want to thank my doctors, my family, the team at IMAX, and everyone for their support. As I transition back from medical leave, I am gradually re-engaging in the business and involved in all strategic decisions at IMAX. The management team is doing an outstanding job and will continue with their day-to-day responsibilities. We have an exciting summer ahead, and the rest of the year promises to be exceptional. I look forward to engaging with all of you soon.”

— Rich Gelfond, Q1 2026 Earnings Press Release

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