POLAR EXPRESS sees green in 3D

By: Patrick Sauriol
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Source: IMAX Corporation

THE POLAR EXPRESS has proven to be the surprise of the holiday box office season. After posting what many analysts remarked as a disappointing opening weekend in ticket sales, the Tom Hanks film has held its ground, holding fast in the top five for the past six weeks of its release. It turns out that the film has also enjoyed a strong showing on the IMAX 3D Experience screens where it is playing. So fat the movie has grossed an estimated $22.3 million since its opening on November 10, averaging more than $321,000 per location.

"THE POLAR EXPRESS: AN IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE has re-written the record books for an IMAX DMR release, and we're thrilled it continues to generate such fantastic results," commented IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEO's Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "The way audiences have embraced this film speaks volumes about moviegoers' appetite for Hollywood blockbusters in IMAX's format, as well as their willingness to pay a premium for this immersive experience. With demand still at very high levels and additional international locations opening in the coming weeks, we believe the picture will continue to perform well through the end of the year and on into January. We also believe that it will be an 'evergreen' that will continue to play and be enjoyed in future years."

So far THE POLAR EXPRESS has taken in more than $125 M total from both its IMAX and 35mm placements.


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