IMAX announced Monday that its global box office gross reached $1 billion this past weekend, marking the first time ever that the premium format company reached the milestone.
The mark was reached after the U.S. opening weekend of Warner Bros.’ “Aquaman,” which was also the third weekend the film was on IMAX screens worldwide. The DC film grossed $16.4 million globally from 1,227 IMAX screens worldwide this weekend, including $10 million from 406 domestic screens.
While the majority of grosses came from Hollywood tentpoles like “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” more than $100 million came from 26 local language releases in countries like China, Korea, Japan, Russia and India, also an annual record.
“This IMAX box office record indicates that blockbuster content experienced in the best premium environment is bigger than ever before,” IMAX CEO Richard L. Gelfond said in a statement.
“Our global platform in 80 countries eventicizing worldwide movies continues to resonate with audiences,” he added. “As studios and streaming companies keep focusing their slates on more blockbuster films, particularly in 2019, we see a strong opportunity to continue as a destination of choice for consumers.”
Among the films that will be released in IMAX in 2019 are “Alita: Battle Angel,” “Avengers: Endgame,” and “The Lion King.”