IMAX Corporation and Georgia Theatre Company Expand Partnership: A New Era in Moviegoing

In a significant move poised to reshape the film exhibition landscape in the Southeastern United States, IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) has announced an expansion of its partnership with Georgia Theatre Company (GTC). The agreement, unveiled on May 27, 2026, will see the introduction of five new state-of-the-art IMAX® with Laser locations across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, including a much-anticipated venue in Myrtle Beach, a popular year-round tourist destination.

This expansion marks a pivotal moment for both companies, building on the successful launch of GTC's first IMAX location in Athens, Georgia, which opened in 2025. The first two new IMAX theaters are scheduled to open in 2027, followed by additional locations in 2028 and 2029.

Bo Chambliss, President of Georgia Theatre Company, expressed enthusiasm about the expansion, stating, “The IMAX experience continues to redefine what audiences expect when they go to the movies. The response to our first IMAX location exceeded our expectations and reinforced our belief that guests are seeking immersive, high-quality theatrical experiences that cannot be replicated at home.” Chambliss emphasized that this partnership enables GTC to continue investing in presentation and innovation for the long-term future of moviegoing in the communities they serve.

Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the robust growth IMAX has experienced in the Southeast. “IMAX is driving significant network and box office growth across the Southeast in recent years as it unlocks new expansion opportunities in the United States — thanks in large part to forward-thinking, customer-first regional exhibitors like Georgia Theatre Company,” he noted.

This announcement comes on the heels of a groundbreaking year for IMAX at the North American box office. In 2025, the company achieved its highest-grossing year ever, with a remarkable 14% increase over the previous record set in 2023. The momentum has continued into 2026, with IMAX reporting a staggering 75% year-over-year growth in the first quarter. The upcoming summer blockbuster season is expected to further bolster these figures, with a promising lineup of *Filmed For IMAX* titles, including Universal/Syncopy’s highly anticipated “The Odyssey” and Warner Bros./Legendary’s “Dune: Part Three.”

The new IMAX locations will feature IMAX with Laser, the company’s most advanced cinema experience. This technology is designed from the ground up for maximum immersion, offering crystal-clear 4K images, precision audio, and state-of-the-art projection technology. With a groundbreaking optical engine, custom-designed lenses, and proprietary IMAX technology, these theaters promise to deliver brighter images, deeper contrast, and a wider range of colors that can only be experienced on IMAX screens.

Georgia Theatre Company is an employee-owned motion picture exhibition company operating 269 screens at 24 locations across Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. The company prides itself on exceptional presentation, guest service, and community engagement, continually enhancing the moviegoing experience with luxury amenities, expanded food and beverage offerings, and next-generation cinema technologies. As the only 100% employee-owned theatre circuit in the United States, GTC’s employee-owners are deeply invested in the long-term success of the company and the experience it offers to Southeast moviegoers.

IMAX Corporation is a global leader in entertainment technology, recognized for delivering immersive cinematic experiences through proprietary software, architecture, and projection systems. With 1,865 systems installed across 91 countries and territories as of March 31, 2026, IMAX remains a powerful platform for filmmakers and studios to connect with audiences at scale. The company continues to innovate, solidifying its position as a trendsetter in the film exhibition industry.

In summary, the partnership between IMAX and Georgia Theatre Company marks an exciting chapter in the evolution of moviegoing, promising enhanced experiences for audiences in the Southeastern U.S. with the introduction of advanced IMAX technology in new theaters. As both companies gear up for this expansion, the film industry watches closely to see how this collaboration will shape the future of cinematic entertainment.