IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures announced that HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE shattered every record for an IMAX Hollywood simultaneous release. In its debut at 66 North American IMAX theaters, the film posted the biggest three-day opening ever, beating the previous record by more than 30%, with an estimated $2.93 million over the period ended Nov. 20, for a per-screen average of more than $44,000. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE set the record for the highest per-screen average, highest opening day at $1.06 million and also set single-day box office records for Friday, Saturday and Sunday for an IMAX digitally re-mastered release.
The film also opened strongly in several key international territories, with IMAX theaters in the U.K., Mexico and Asia reporting numerous sold-out shows. The total box office grosses from the nine international IMAX theaters that opened the film this past weekend are estimated to be $276,000. The film is scheduled to launch in 17 more IMAX theaters, bringing the total worldwide count to 92.
Meanwhile, HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE will be sharing its screen-time over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend with the re-release of the smash hit THE POLAR EXPRESS: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE.
"We are tremendously pleased with the opening weekend results for HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE in both IMAX and conventional theaters," said Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures. "The unique experience that IMAX theaters offer moviegoers is generating incremental revenue for our event films, proven by this giant record-setting opening weekend and advance ticket sales at IMAX theaters. We look forward to continued success as we enter the holiday season."
"Warner Bros. Pictures has done a masterful job inexecuting a flawless marketing and distribution campaign, which has resulted in record-breaking grosses as well as advance ticket sales throughout the IMAX theater network providing an excellent indication of the box office legs of the movie," said IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler.
Added Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Ent., "...We are delighted to see that new audiences, the tech-savvy demographic of 15-to-24-year old males, as well as enchanted HARRY POTTER fans, are returning to IMAX theaters in record numbers to experience Harry's latest magical adventure."
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies. IMAX delivers some of the best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D and IMAX DMR technology. As of Sept. 30, 2005, there were 261 IMAX theaters operating in more than 38 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
