"Ne Zha" Sets New Opening Records for IMAX China's Highest-grossing Animation

SHANGHAI, July 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- IMAX China Holding, Inc. (HKSE:1970) today announced that Enlight Coloroom Picture, Cocoa Bean Animation and October Culture Animation's Ne Zha, the first Chinese animated film ever released in IMAX theatres, generated estimated approximately RMB 54 million (including paid sneak screenings) during its opening weekend. The results mark a new IMAX record for the best opening weekend of all animated films released in China, surpassing Despicable Me 3. It also became the best three-day opening weekend for IMAX China in July.

On the opening weekend, IMAX took about 8% of the film's overall gross in China from just 1% of the total screens, which largely surpassed the previous IMAX index on animation films.

"The record-breaking performance of Ne Zha once again demonstrates the strong demand among Chinese audiences to experience the biggest blockbusters and cultural moments in IMAX," said Jiande Chen, IMAX China CEO. "We'd like to congratulate our friends at Enlight Coloroom Picture and director Jiao Zi on this incredible film, and look forward to bringing many more Chinese animation titles to our strong network."

Regarded as the dark horse of this summer's cinema offerings, Ne Zha brings a modern, more grown-up touch to an iconic Chinese legend, astonishing audiences of all ages. IMAX identified the strong potential for the film and added it to its slate this summer, reflecting its successful local language programming strategy and deep integration within China's entertainment ecosystem. To date in 2019, IMAX has generated about RMB 1.69 billion at the box office in mainland China, up 33% percent versus the same time period in 2018. Ne Zha is the first film of Enlight Coloroom Picture's myth universe, which will roll out Jiang Ziya and Phoenix in 2019 and 2020."

The IMAX 3D release of Ne Zha is digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

About IMAX China

IMAX China is a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, and is incorporated under the laws of Cayman Islands. IMAX China was established by IMAX Corporation specifically to oversee the expansion of IMAX's business throughout Greater China. IMAX China trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK1970."

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you've never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX theatres to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, and, as such, IMAX's network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of March 31, 2019, there were 1,514 IMAX theater systems (1,420 commercial multiplexes, 14 commercial destinations, 80 institutional) operating in 81 countries and territories. On Oct. 8, 2015, shares of IMAX China, a subsidiary of IMAX Corp., began trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code "HK.1970."

IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, IMAX DMR®, Experience It In IMAX®, An IMAX 3D Experience®, The IMAX Experience®, IMAX Is Believing® and IMAX nXos® are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information about the Company can be found at www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), Twitter (www.twitter.com/imax) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).

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