Imax (NYSE:IMAX) Azioni

Imax

Imax Corp is a technology platform for entertainment and events. Through its proprietary software, auditorium architecture, patented intellectual property, and specialized equipment, IMAX offers end-to-end solution to create superior, immersive content experiences for which the IMAX brand is globally renowned. The Company has two reportable segments being Content Solutions and Technology Products and Services. The Company leverages its proprietary technology and engineering in all aspects of its business, which principally consists of the IMAX film remastering and the sale or lease of premium IMAX theater systems.

Imax Corp

IMAX CHINA HLDG INC ORD by IMAX China Hldg Inc

IMAX China Holding Inc

As Washington doubles down on its trade war with China, and tariffs <a href="https://benzinga.com/markets/equities/25/04/44704005/trumps-104-tariff-on-chinese-imports-sends-stock-futures-plunging-dow-falls-over-500-points">now going as high as 104%</a>, some leading experts believe that the Middle Kingdom might have an ace up its sleeve, that could hit the United States where it hurts most—Services.
A vast majority of U.S. imports from China are tangible goods, whereas its exports to the country largely comprise services, and this includes tech solutions, consulting services, law firms, and even Hollywood movies, among others. China, in fact, runs a $32 billion deficit with the U.S. on services.
What Happened: Two widely followed bloggers in China with connections within the Chinese Communist Party have released a seemingly identical list of measures that the country is planning in retaliation against the tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-08/influential-china-bloggers-post-options-to-hit-back-at-trump">reported</a> Bloomberg.
Among the list of measures shared by Ren Yi, the grandson of a former Guangdong province Communist Party chief, and Liu Hong, a senior journalist at Xinhua, the state-run news agency, includes a plan to &#8220;reduce or ban the import of U.S.-made films.&#8221;
See More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44705797/high-stakes-high-yields-investors-puzzled-with-us-treasuries-defiant-run-amid-market-turmoil">US Treasuries Defiant Run Amid Trump Tariff Turmoil Puzzles Investors— Hedge Funds Selling Or China Dumping?</a>
Besides this, China plans to target the U.S. services sector in several other ways, such as restricting American companies from taking part in Chinese government procurement processes and limiting the cooperation between Chinese companies and U.S. law firms and consultancies.
Why It Matters: In China&#8217;s $17.7 billion box office, Hollywood movies managed to gross a little under $600 million in 2024, while the total U.S. and Canadian box office numbers during the same period stood at $8.6 billion. So, the move is expected to have a sizable impact on the industry.
Stocks like Walt Disney Co. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) will be in focus considering its globalized IP, with <a href="https://www.matthewball.co/all/china-marvel-and-the-uncertain-future-of-the-global-franchise">several multi-million dollar hits</a> over the years. It also has a sizable merchandising and theme park business in China, which will be impacted. Warner Bros Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WBD#NASDAQ">WBD</a>) is next in line, with several international licensing deals in the country that could be cut short.
However, the hardest hit could be IMAX Corp. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>), which derives 23% of its revenue from China, where 45% of all <a href="https://thebambooworks.com/imax-china-roars-into-year-of-the-snake-after-weak-performance-in-2024/">IMAX screens</a> are located.
Several other companies provide software, consulting, and related services in the Mainland, such as Salesforce Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CRM#NYSE">CRM</a>) partnering with Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/BABA#NYSE">BABA</a>) to <a href="https://www.theregister.com/2023/11/06/asia_in_brief/">offer services</a> in the country, however, given the opaqueness of the nation&#8217;s financial markets, and the kind of barriers imposed, there isn&#8217;t a lot of clarity on the kind of impact a tariff on services would have. 
Read More: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/global/25/04/44706519/apple-stock-nosediving-since-liberation-day-tariffs-has-created-panic-says-gene-munster-predicts-tim-cooks-favorable-relationship-with-trump-xi-jinping-will-rescue-iphone-maker">Apple Stock Nosediving Since &#8216;Liberation Day&#8217; Tariffs Created Panic, Says Gene Munster: Predicts Tim Cook&#8217;s &#8216;Favorable&#8217; Relationship With Trump, Xi Jinping Will Rescue iPhone-Maker</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

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IMAX

China May Hit US Where It Hurts Amid Trump's Tariff War — Services Trade In Crosshairs, With Walt Disney, IMAX And Warner Bros. Discovery In Focus

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMC#NYSE">AMC</a>) and IMAX Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) have entered into a major agreement that will introduce IMAX with Laser technology to over 180 AMC and IMAX locations across the country.
As part of this deal, AMC will add 12 new IMAX locations and upgrade 68 existing ones to the IMAX with Laser format.
This expansion will create the largest IMAX with Laser circuit in the world.
The agreement marks the largest systems agreement IMAX has signed in the U.S. since 2018.
Also Read: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/travel/25/04/44592941/tariff-tensions-could-hurt-us-gdp-as-canadian-tourism-cools-goldman-sachs" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tariff Tensions Could Hurt US GDP As Canadian Tourism Cools: Goldman Sachs</a>
IMAX and AMC have been partners since 2007, and AMC operates eight of the ten highest-earning IMAX theaters in the U.S.
&#8220;Throughout the United States and around the world, filmmakers and moviegoers hold the IMAX brand in such high regard as a premium theatrical spectacle, which is reflected both in the success that AMC and IMAX share together, and in IMAX&#8217;s extensive content catalogue,&#8221; said Chairman and CEO, AMC Entertainment, Adam Aron.
Under its AMC Go Plan, the company continues to prioritize premium moviegoing experiences, featuring advanced visuals, immersive sound, and upgraded seating.
Price Action: AMC shares closed lower by 3.14% at $2.78 on Tuesday.
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock.

Equities

Contracts

AMC Expands Premium Movie Experience With IMAX Laser Upgrades In Landmark Deal

JP Morgan analyst David Karnovsky maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $25 to $27.

Price Target

Analyst Ratings

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Imax, Raises Price Target to $27

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="855" height="572" src="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21061321/Imax-China-0221-01.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-6177" style="width:920px;height:auto" srcset="https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21061321/Imax-China-0221-01.jpeg 855w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21061321/Imax-China-0221-01-300x201.jpeg 300w,https://contributor-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/21061321/Imax-China-0221-01-768x514.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px" /></figure>
The operator of large-screen theaters said it posted a strong start to 2025 on the success of the blockbuster animated film ‘Ne Zha 2'
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Key Takeaways:</h4>
<ul>
<li>Imax China's revenue slumped 11% in the second half of last year, accelerating from a 3.1% decline in the first half, as China's box office fell 23% during the year</li>
<li>The large-screen cinema operator said it recorded strong business during this year's Chinese New Year holiday on the success of animated film "Ne Zha 2"</li>
</ul>
The past year has been anything but glamourous for China's film industry, which is reflected throughout the latest&nbsp;<a href="https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0220/2025022000031.pdf">annual earnings announcement</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;Imax China Holding Inc.&nbsp;(1970.HK), a provider of large screen-technology to Chinese cinemas. But a devil child named Ne Zha, the star of animated blockbuster "Ne Zha 2," has brought a glimmer of hope to both the industry and Imax China, getting the company off to a roaring start in 2025.
Whether the strong start will continue for the rest of the year remains an open question, especially since "Ne Zha" is responsible for more than half of the China box office's record start to 2025. Once that film peters out, it's quite likely the box office will return to its anemic performance that saw ticket sales tumble 23% last year to 42.5 billion yuan ($3.37 billion) as increasingly cautious consumers reined in their spending on non-essentials.
Since we're still in the holiday mood with the Chinese New Year less than a month in the past, we'll begin with the more upbeat part of Imax China's latest annual report that discusses the strong start to 2025 thanks to Ne Zha.
One of the company's two main revenue sources is helping filmmakers produce versions of their films that can be shown on Imax's signature big screens for enhanced viewing. The other comes from fees for providing and maintaining its specialized equipment to theaters.
The company installed its first screens in regular Chinese cinemas in 2011, and initially focused mostly on Hollywood blockbusters that were more suitable for such viewing. But it has gradually increased the share of local Chinese films in its mix, with that total rising from 31.4% in 2019 to 61.5% in 2023. The proportion actually fell back to 44.7% last year as China allowed 39 Hollywood films into the country, after only allowing 22 in 2023.
Luckily for Imax China, "Ne Zha 2" was one of the Chinese films it converted to the Imax format this year, not a surprising choice since the animated film is packed with special effects that lend themselves to big-screen viewing. Among other things, the film has raked in about 60% of the China box office's 20 billion yuan in ticket sales as of Feb. 16, the fastest it has ever reached that milestone.
"Led by the Mandarin-language blockbuster ‘Ne Zha 2,' Imax screens in China have broken all previous box office records for the Chinese New Year period, and have already surpassed the company's best-ever first quarter box office in China (from 2019)," Imax China said in its report. "In fact, in less than three weeks in February 2025, Imax screens in China generated more local language box office than Imax China did in the entire year of 2024."
Investors seemed to focus on this positive part of Imax China's story the day after the report, sending its shares up 2.3% on Thursday, with the shares continuing to rise in early Friday trading. The stock is up 25% over the last 52 weeks, benefitting from a broader rally for China stocks in Hong Kong dating back to last fall.
<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Sagging revenue, profits</h4>
Having covered the Cinderella comeback story for China's box office in early 2025, we'll turn next to the gloomier story of 2024 that takes up the bulk of Imax China's latest report. Making matters worse, the company's situation deteriorated markedly from the first to the second half of the year.
On its top line, the company's revenue in the second half of the year fell 11% year-on-year to $37 million, based on calculations using full-year data and the company's mid-year report. That marked an acceleration from the 3.1% revenue decline in the first half of the year.
Within the total revenue pie, the contribution from the company's content solutions business of converting films into the Imax format dropped nearly 40% year-on-year to $15.5 million for all 2024, making up about 20% of the total. Its technology products and services business did far better, rising 6% for the year to $64.5 million, accounting for the other 80% of the total.
The company had 809 screens in China using its Imax format at the end of last year, roughly the same as the 807 it had a year earlier. But it pointed out it was still aiming to boost that count, with its backlog of planned new screens rising to 237 by the end of last year from 206 a year earlier.
Despite the recent bump from "Ne Zha," the company acknowledged it is facing a difficult market. "The market's slow recovery from the pandemic has caused some exhibitors in Mainland China, including several of the group's exhibitor partners, to experience financial difficulties which, in certain cases, has resulted in delays in meeting payment and Imax system installation obligations to the group," it said. Still, the company appears to be managing that issue well, with its unpaid bills under control on its balance sheet.
Despite a 6.7% revenue contraction for the full year, Imax China's cost of sales actually rose about 14% in 2024, though the company didn't comment on the reasons. But the result was that its gross margin eroded to 54.3% in 2024 from 62.7% the previous year. The margin erosion accelerated in the second half of the year, causing the company's profit to fall 30% year-on-year in the second half of 2024 to $9.6 million. That marked a sharp acceleration from the 9.4% profit decline in the first half of 2024.
Despite its rally over the last year, Imax China trades at a relatively weak price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 15, well below the forward P/E of 23 for its Canadian parent&nbsp;Imax Corp.&nbsp;(IMAX.US), and also below the current P/E of 26 for&nbsp;Wanda Film&nbsp;(002739.SZ) and 30 for&nbsp;Bona Film&nbsp;(001330.SZ). Imax Corp. previously tried to privatize Imax China in 2023, but the effort ultimately failed to get the required 75% approval from independent shareholders.
Given Imax China's relatively low valuation and weak prospects, despite the strong start to 2025, we wouldn't be surprised if Imax makes another privatization bid for the company this year or next. If it does, it may offer a bigger premium than it did the first time to win over more investors.

Entertainment

Imax China Roars Into Year Of The Snake After Weak Performance In 2024

Macquarie analyst Chad Beynon maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $28 to $30.

Macquarie Maintains Outperform on Imax, Raises Price Target to $30

Barrington Research analyst Patrick Sholl maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Outperform and raises the price target from $30 to $32.

Barrington Research Maintains Outperform on Imax, Raises Price Target to $32

Benchmark analyst Mike Hickey reiterates Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Buy and maintains $30 price target.

Reiteration

Benchmark Reiterates Buy on Imax, Maintains $30 Price Target

Wells Fargo analyst Omar Mejias maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $26 to $32.

Wells Fargo Maintains Overweight on Imax, Raises Price Target to $32

Rosenblatt analyst Steve Frankel maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $28 to $35.

Rosenblatt Maintains Buy on Imax, Raises Price Target to $35

Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.27 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.30 by 10 percent. This is a 58.82 percent increase over earnings of $0.17 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $92.67 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $104.08 million by 10.96 percent. This is a 7.74 percent increase over sales of $86.02 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

Imax Q4 Adj EPS $0.27 Misses $0.30 Estimate, Sales $92.67M Miss $104.08M Estimate

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Earnings Scheduled For February 19, 2025

Wedbush analyst Alicia Reese reiterates Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Outperform and maintains $32 price target.

Wedbush Reiterates Outperform on Imax, Maintains $32 Price Target

IMAX Grosses $53M At Box Office During Chinese New Year Period

JP Morgan analyst David Karnovsky maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $21 to $25.

JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Imax, Raises Price Target to $25

Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) will release earnings results for its fourth quarter, after the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/NFLX/earnings">closing bell on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.</a>
Analysts expect the Los Gatos, California-based company to report quarterly earnings at $4.20 per share, up from $2.11 per share in the year-ago period. Netflix projects to report revenue of $10.11 billion for the recent quarter, compared to $8.83 billion a year earlier, according to data from <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/dashboard">Benzinga Pro</a>.
On Friday, IMAX Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) announced that it has agreed with Netflix to debut Oscar-nominated director Greta Gerwig's forthcoming film "Narnia" exclusively across the IMAX global theater network with a two-week run <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/media/25/01/43063274/imax-secures-netflix-deal-for-exclusive-narnia-theatrical-release-stock-jumps">beginning Thanksgiving 2026.</a>
Netflix shares gained 1.9% to close at $858.10 on Friday.
Benzinga readers can access the latest analyst ratings on the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/analyst-ratings/analyst-color/22/09/28888638/exclusive-study-finds-benzinga-analyst-ratings-data-yields-market-beating-strategie">Analyst Stock Ratings</a> page. Readers can sort by stock ticker, company name, analyst firm, rating change or other variables.
Let's have a look at how Benzinga's most-accurate <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/nflx/analyst-ratings">analysts have rated the company</a> in the recent period.
<ul>
<li>Loop Capital analyst Alan Gould maintained a Hold rating and cut the price target from $950 to $925 on Jan. 16, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 66%.</li>
<li>Seaport Global analyst David Joyce upgraded the stock from Neutral to Buy with a price target of $955 on Jan. 16, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%.</li>
<li>Rosenblatt analyst Barton Crockett maintained a Neutral rating with a price target of $680 on Jan. 16, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 71%.</li>
<li>Oppenheimer analyst Jason Helfstein maintained an Outperform rating and slashed the price target from $1,065 to $1,040 on Jan. 15, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 80%.</li>
<li>BMO Capital analyst Brian Pitz maintained an Outperform rating and raised the price target from $825 to $1,000 on Jan. 15, 2025. This analyst has an accuracy rate of 76%.</li>
</ul>
Considering buying NFLX stock? Here&#8217;s what analysts think: 
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="471" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20041843/image-125-1024x471.png" alt="" class="wp-image-741046" style="width:628px;height:auto" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20041843/image-125-1024x471.png 1024w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20041843/image-125-300x138.png 300w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20041843/image-125-768x353.png 768w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/20041843/image-125.png 1132w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>
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</ul>

Trading Ideas

NFLX

Netflix Earnings Are Imminent; These Most Accurate Analysts Revise Forecasts Ahead Of Earnings Call

Analysts turn their focus to the 2025 movie season, offering box office predictions as the industry grapples with the continued <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/streaming">rise of streaming platforms.</a>
JPMorgan 2025 Outlook: The movie theater industry <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/12/42750888/top-anticipated-2025-movies-for-big-screen-success-and-stocks-investors-should-watch">could be normalizing</a> after facing the COVID-19 pandemic disruption and labor stoppages, JPMorgan analyst David Karnovsky said in a new investor note.
"The key headwind for theaters remains supply – COVID and strike-related production shutdowns hampered output, and while the impacts are yet to be fully overcome, the lack of ongoing constraints sets up the conditions for a full recovery in volume by 2026 or 2027," Karnovsky said.
The analyst forecasts the North American box office to hit $9.50 billion in 2025, up 10.8% year-over-year. Broken down by quarter, Karnovsky's predictions are as follows:
<ul>
<li>Q1: $1.77 billion, +9.7% year-over-year</li>
<li>Q2: $2.44 billion, +25.1% year-over-year</li>
<li>Q3: $2.57 billion, -3.7% year-over-year</li>
<li>Q4: $2.73 billion, +16.2% year-over-year</li>
</ul>
While the report does not share price targets for movie theater stocks, Cinemark Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CNK#NYSE">CNK</a>) and IMAX Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) are named in the report. AMC Entertainment Holdings (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMC#NYSE">AMC</a>) would be another stock to watch, given the potential increase in domestic 2025 box office revenue.
"While our forecast builds for significant growth, we believe it is below some of the more bullish estimates for $10b-plus which followed strong performance during the holiday period."
The analyst said he remains constructive on the movie theater industry given the rise of the streaming market, specifically increased film output from Netflix Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>). The rise of Netflix and streaming platforms has shortened theatrical release windows for movies.
"While these forces have delivered real stress to the ecosystem, with some hindsight, it appears many of the bear theses that existed pre-pandemic were overblown."
The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/DIS#NYSE">DIS</a>) is also featured several times in the report, with Karnovsky highlighting upcoming movies like "Zootopia 2," "Snow White," "Lilo &amp; Stitch," "Captain America: Brave New World," "Fantastic Four" and "Avatar: Fire and Ash."
Disney is also highlighted for the early 2026 outlook with movies like "Toy Story 5," a live-action "Moana", "Avengers: Doomsday" and "The Mandalorian &amp; Grogu."
Read Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/24/12/42603589/disney-hits-2-billion-domestic-box-office-wins-top-honors-global-box-office-2025-to-grow-8-to-33b-analyst-says">Disney Hits $2 Billion Domestic Box Office, Earns Top Honors</a>
Goldman Sachs on Movie Theater Stocks: Goldman Sachs analyst Stephen Laszczyk has a domestic box office revenue estimate of $9.4 billion for 2026.
Laszczyk projects a recovery to 82% of 2019 revenue levels, after which earnings would likely remain range-bound.
In the recent report, the analyst highlights IMAX and Cinemark as the two covered stocks in the sector.
The analyst has a Sell rating on Imax with a $16 price target. Despite the sell rating, the analyst sees several scenarios that could provide upside risk to the rating.
"Box office demand could recover more quickly and on a larger scale than expected," Laszczyk said.
The analyst said movie theaters could look to add more Imax screens. A change in China's policy to allow more American blockbusters in the country could also benefit Imax, the analyst added.
"IMAX may benefit from uplifts in ticket prices as studios and exhibitors look to increase revenue."
The analyst also has a Sell rating on Cinemark with a $24 price target.
Similar to Imax, the analyst said there are several scenarios that could provide upside for the movie theater stock.
Along with box office demand recovering faster than expected, the analyst said better food and beverage margins and lower operating expenses could help Cinemark.
Read Next: 
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</ul>
Image created using artificial intelligence via Midjourney.

Analyst Color

Box Office Set For $9.5 Billion 2025 Comeback As Netflix Reshapes Industry, Analyst Says

On Friday, IMAX Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) announced that it has agreed with Netflix, Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/NFLX#NASDAQ">NFLX</a>) to debut Oscar-nominated director Greta Gerwig&#8217;s forthcoming film &#8220;Narnia&#8221; exclusively across the IMAX global theater network with a&nbsp;two-week&nbsp;run <a target="_blank" href="https://imaxcorporation.gcs-web.com/node/25456/html" rel="noreferrer noopener">beginning Thanksgiving 2026</a>.
It will premiere on Netflix at Christmas 2026, after months of negotiation between the companies, according to the Variety&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://variety.com/2025/film/news/greta-gerwig-narnia-adaptation-netflix-imax-release-date-1236277005/" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>. IMAX stock gained after the update.
<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="750" height="650" src="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17095446/newplot-6.png" alt="" class="wp-image-739173" srcset="https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17095446/newplot-6.png 750w,https://editorial-assets.benzinga.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/17095446/newplot-6-300x260.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px" /></figure>
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Netflix mostly prefers to have its movies debut on its platform, particularly the more broadly commercial ones.&nbsp;&nbsp;
However, in 2022, the streaming giant allowed &#8220;Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery&#8221; to run an exclusive one-week over 600 theatres.
Rival streamers like Amazon.Com Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMZN#NASDAQ">AMZN</a>) and Apple Inc (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AAPL#NASDAQ">AAPL</a>) allowed movies to be released theatrically before reaching the streaming services.
In 2018, Netflix shared plans to produce series and film projects based on Lewis&#8217; &#8220;The Chronicles of Narnia.&#8221; In 2020, Netflix tapped Gerwig. In 2023, Gerwig&#8217;s &#8220;Barbie&#8221; marked the year&#8217;s biggest blockbuster, grossing nearly $1.5 billion globally.
Netflix also remained focused on sports events, which likely drove 9 million subscriber additions in the holiday quarter, courtesy of the &#8220;Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson&#8221; boxing match, National Football League games, and the &#8220;Squid Game,&#8221; Reuters reports.
After its password-sharing crackdown, The streaming giant added premium sports content to its platform to attract younger viewers and advertising dollars.
BMO Capital&#8216;s Brian Pitz expects Netflix&#8217;s <a target="_blank" href="https://www.benzinga.com/25/01/43010198/netflixs-avod-surge-and-wwe-content-fuel-optimism-analyst-sets-1000-price-forecast" rel="noreferrer noopener">advertising-based video-on-demand (AVOD)</a> monthly active users (MAUs) to reach 90 million by 2025, up from 70 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, backed by Squid Game 2 and WWE.
Price Actions: IMAX stock is up 3.09% at $23.08 at last check Friday. NFLX is up 1.29%.
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IMAX Secures Netflix Deal for Exclusive 'Narnia' Theatrical Release, Stock Jumps

IMAX Has Entered Into An Agreement With Netflix, Inc. To Debut Oscar-Nominated Director Greta Gerwig's Forthcoming Film "Narnia" Exclusively Across The IMAX Global Theater Network With A Two-Week Run Beginning Thanksgiving 2026.

Rosenblatt analyst Steve Frankel maintains Imax (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/IMAX#NYSE">IMAX</a>) with a Buy and maintains $28 price target.

Rosenblatt Maintains Buy on Imax, Maintains $28 Price Target

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