THE POLAR EXPRESS: AN IMAX 3-D EXPERIENCE passed $60 million, making it the highest grossing IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) release to date, IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. Pictures reported. Showing on 83 screens worldwide, the film passed $15 million in its second season, when it was re-released the same day as the film's DVD launch on Nov. 23, 2005.
"We are thrilled to see the IMAX DMR version of this classic story continuing to generate substantial box office returns, even in its second season," said Dan Fellman, president of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures.
"Warner Bros Pictures' expertise in marketing, combined with The IMAX Experience, is getting people into theaters more than a year after the film's initial release," added IMAX co-chairmen and co-ceos Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "We are confident that IMAX's contribution to the financial performance of event films will continue to become more and more significant as the IMAX theater network grows. We look forward to another year of network growth, and we are excited to work with Warner Bros. Pictures to bring more great films to a growing number of IMAX fans worldwide in 2006."
"This classic IMAX perennial is a hit in new markets worldwide, thanks in part to Warner Bros. Pictures' strong international distribution team," added Greg Foster, chairman and president of IMAX Filmed Ent. "The expanding IMAX theater network and growing IMAX DMR film slate has enabled us to broaden distribution for the studio, and offer more people another compelling reason to visit their local multiplex."
Founded in 1967, IMAX Corp. (www.imax.com) is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers some of the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3-D and IMAX DMR technology. As of Dec. 31, 2005, there were 266 IMAX theaters operating in 38 countries.
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
