For Hollywood, overall, the 2025 box office had an underwhelming year. The domestic box office failed to reach its projected $9 billion total in 2025, a shortfall that Variety bluntly described as “a massive disappointment.”

With this in mind, IMAX announced it pulled in a record-setting $1.28 billion globally last year, marking the strongest annual performance in the company’s history. The 2025 figure is a 40% increase in box office revenue compared to 2024, which takes over the company's previous record set in 2019 by 13%

International animated hits like ‘Ne Zha 2’ and ‘Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’ played a major role, while audiences also showed up for Brad Pitt in ‘F1,’ Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning,’ and the latest chapter of the ‘Avatar franchise, Fire & Ash.’

‘Sinners’ is also a notable feature crafted specifically for the IMAX format, though earning lesser numbers than the films mentioned.

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond is optimistic that the momentum will only grow. In a statement, he said the company sees “no signs of slowing down,” pointing to a strong upcoming slate which includes, Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune: Part Three,’ Greta Gerwig’s new adaptation of ‘Narnia,’ ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ movie, and Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated adaptation of ‘The Odyssey,’ which sold out 70mm IMAX opening day screenings one year prior to release. The film will also make history as the first theatrical feature shot entirely using IMAX film cameras.

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