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Imax Corp.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 30 April 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue and gross margin declined: Total revenue was $81.4 million against $86.7 million a year earlier, down 6%. Gross margin was $45.8 million, down 14%, with gross margin percentage at 56.3% against 61.4%. Source
  • Net income to common holders rose: Net income attributable to common shareholders was $4.2 million, up 83%, and diluted EPS was $0.07, up 75%. Net income overall fell 26% to $6.1 million. Source
  • Global box office fell 13%: Global box office was $260 million, down 13%, driven by lower Chinese New Year box office. The comparison period included the record Ne Zha 2 at $161 million. Source
  • Installations fell to 19 systems: The company installed 19 systems in the first quarter, against 21 a year earlier. Eight were under sales arrangements, against 14. Source
  • Backlog fell to 435 systems: System backlog was 435 at March 31, 2026, against 516 a year earlier, made up of sales arrangements, hybrid JRSA and traditional JRSA systems. Source
  • Operating cash flow fell to $4 million: Operating cash flow was $4 million against $7 million, driven by lease incentives to exhibitor customers of $9 million, up from $1 million. Source

“The breakout success of Project Hail Mary - a Filmed For IMAX release that more than doubled our initial box office projections - demonstrates what a well-crafted blockbuster can achieve when it leans fully into the IMAX platform.”

Natasha Fernandes, Chief Financial Officer, IMAX Corporation

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Global box office SourceFull year 2026$1.4 billionKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The 2026 full-year global box office figure of $1.4 billion was reaffirmed. Source
  • New: The company signed an agreement for 10 new locations in Australia, described as its largest agreement ever. Source
  • New: The release describes CEO Rich Gelfond on temporary medical leave and gradually resuming leadership duties. Source

Quarter results and growth drivers

  • Revenue and gross margin declined: Total revenue was $81.4 million against $86.7 million a year earlier, down 6%. Gross margin was $45.8 million, down 14%, with gross margin percentage at 56.3% against 61.4%. Source
  • Net income to common holders rose: Net income attributable to common shareholders was $4.2 million, up 83%, and diluted EPS was $0.07, up 75%. Net income overall fell 26% to $6.1 million. Source
  • Adjusted diluted EPS rose 31%: Adjusted diluted EPS attributable to common shareholders was $0.17 against $0.13. Adjusted net income was $9.6 million against $7.2 million, up 33%. Source
  • Global box office fell 13%: Global box office was $260 million, down 13%, driven by lower Chinese New Year box office. The comparison period included the record Ne Zha 2 at $161 million. Source

Segments and regions

  • Content Solutions revenue fell 8%: Content Solutions revenue was $31.4 million, down 8%, and gross margin was $18.3 million, down 22%. Growth outside Greater China was 67%. Source
  • Technology revenue fell 4%: Technology Products and Services revenue was $48.3 million, down 4%, and gross margin was $26.9 million, down 8%. Source
  • Top titles were Avatar and Hail Mary: Avatar: Fire and Ash, Project Hail Mary and Pegasus 3 were the top first quarter titles, at $77 million, $66 million and $34 million. Source
  • North America box office rose 75%: Box office growth was 75% in North America and 60% in Rest of World excluding Greater China, according to the release summary. Source

“Our continued momentum in Australia - where we just signed our largest agreement ever for 10 new locations - and Japan with 7 signings year to date underscores the success we’re having across our priority growth markets.”

Natasha Fernandes, Chief Financial Officer, IMAX Corporation

Products, installations and network

  • Installations fell to 19 systems: The company installed 19 systems in the first quarter, against 21 a year earlier. Eight were under sales arrangements, against 14. Source
  • Network reached 1,865 systems: The IMAX system network was 1,865 at March 31, 2026, against 1,810 a year earlier. Commercial multiplex locations numbered 1,798. Source
  • Signings fell to 23: Total system signings were 23, against 95 a year earlier. The 2025 figure included 70 traditional JRSA systems with AMC Entertainment. Source

Costs and margins

  • Adjusted EBITDA margin declined to 37.5%: Total Adjusted EBITDA was $30.5 million, down 18%, and its margin was 37.5% against 42.7%, before non-controlling interests. Source
  • SG&A fell, R&D rose: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $32.5 million against $33.5 million. Research and development rose to $1.8 million from $1.3 million. Source
  • Image services costs rose: Costs for image enhancement and maintenance services rose to $22.9 million from $19.4 million, while the related revenue fell to $48.6 million from $50.8 million. Source

“As I transition back from medical leave, I am gradually re-engaging in the business and involved in all strategic decisions at IMAX.”

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond

Demand and order book

  • Backlog fell to 435 systems: System backlog was 435 at March 31, 2026, against 516 a year earlier, made up of sales arrangements, hybrid JRSA and traditional JRSA systems. Source
  • Slate includes at least 14 releases: Management named The Odyssey, Dune: Part Three, The Mandalorian and Grogu, and Narnia among at least 14 Filmed For IMAX releases this year. Source
  • Sold-out auditoriums ahead of release: Management said The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three sold out IMAX auditoriums up to a year before their release dates. Source

Capital, cash and shareholder returns

  • Operating cash flow fell to $4 million: Operating cash flow was $4 million against $7 million, driven by lease incentives to exhibitor customers of $9 million, up from $1 million. Source
  • Liquidity of $528 million: Liquidity comprised $146 million of cash, $326 million of credit facility availability and $56 million under IMAX China revolving facilities. Total debt was $300 million. Source
  • Free cash flow negative $2.9 million: Free cash flow was negative $2.9 million, against negative $7.7 million. Investment in joint revenue sharing equipment was $4.0 million, against $11.7 million. Source
  • No share repurchases in quarter: No common shares were repurchased in the first quarter. About $250.7 million remained under the $500.0 million total repurchase authority. Source
  • Diluted share count rose 3%: Weighted average basic shares were 54.1 million and diluted shares were 56.4 million, against 53.1 million and 55.0 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and network expansion

  • Network growth tied to box office: Management said it is using box office success and renewed exhibitor optimism to grow and diversify the global network. Source
  • 42 system agreements year to date: Agreements covered 42 systems across 10 countries so far this year, including the largest IMAX agreement ever in Australia and 7 signings in Japan. Source
  • Australia and Japan named priority markets: Management described Australia and Japan as priority growth markets for network expansion. Source

People and leadership

  • Management team covering daily duties: Management said the management team continues its day-to-day responsibilities during the CEO's medical leave. Source
  • CEO re-engaging gradually on strategy: CEO Rich Gelfond is gradually resuming leadership duties and is involved in strategic decisions, as he transitions from temporary medical leave. Source
  • CEO recovering from pneumonia: The CEO reported that his recovery from pneumonia is progressing, that he has left hospital, and that he will focus on his health in coming weeks. Source

Coming up, as management said on 30 April 2026

  • Summer and rest of 2026 ahead: Management referred to the summer ahead and the rest of 2026 as the coming period. Source
  • Narnia to open with IMAX exclusive run: Greta Gerwig's Narnia is set to release with an IMAX exclusive run; the release date is not given in the document. Source
  • Monthly box office updates: Quarter-to-date box office will be posted on the investor site within five business days of month-end, subject to change without notice. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Global box office Source$260 million, down 13%
Systems installed Source19 systems
System signings Source23
System backlog Source435 systems
System network Source1,865 systems

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Two larger Chinese local language titles are now expected later in 2026, a shift management cited for Greater China box office. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Ahead: Management said Project Hail Mary more than doubled its initial box office projections. Source
  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the 2026 full-year global box office figure of $1.4 billion. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.