How IMAX crushed other theater stocks in 2025
CNBC••entertainment
Key Points:
- IMAX shares surged over 44% in 2025, driven by a record $1.28 billion global box office revenue, marking a 40% increase from 2024 and surpassing its 2019 record by 13%.
- Other theater stocks like AMC, Cinemark, and Marcus Theatres saw significant declines in 2025, with AMC falling over 60%, as the industry faces challenges including lower domestic ticket sales and shifting consumer preferences toward streaming.
- IMAX benefits from a growing trend toward premium large format (PLF) experiences, which command higher ticket prices and appeal to audiences seeking blockbuster films, with PLF tickets making up over 16% of domestic sales in 2025.
- The
