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Imax Corp.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue up 64%, gross margin up 88%: Revenue was $174.6 million, up from $106.7 million, and gross margin was $126.3 million, up from $67.3 million, in the third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 133% year-over-year: Adjusted EBITDA was $120.9 million, a 69.3% margin, up over 2,000 basis points from the prior-year margin, with nine-month Adjusted EBITDA of $199.4 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS $1.96, adjusted $2.21: Net income was $117.1 million and net income attributable to common shareholders was $113.8 million. Diluted EPS was $1.96 and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.21. Source
  • Quarterly global box office up 94%: Global box office rose 94% year-over-year to the highest quarterly total in company history, and the company's share of industry third-quarter box office was on under 1% of worldwide screens. Source
  • The Odyssey is top IMAX release ever: The Odyssey is the highest grossing IMAX release of all time, with more than $550 million in worldwide box office. Source
  • Backlog down; sales-arrangement backlog up: Total backlog was below a year earlier. Sales-arrangement backlog rose to 231 from 157, while traditional JRSA backlog fell to 173 from 227. Source
  • Tax recovery included valuation release: Income tax was a $43.3 million recovery, against a $5.2 million expense a year earlier. The recovery included a $36.7 million release of valuation allowance on Canadian deferred tax assets. Source

“What IMAX achieved goes beyond simply a ‘great quarter’ and transcends the many records we shattered in the period.”

Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX Corporation

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Board approved an extension of the share repurchase program through June 30, 2027, in June 2026, in place of the prior June 30, 2026 expiry. Source
  • Ended: Revolving credit facility borrowings were nil at September 30, 2026, after $38.8 million outstanding at June 30, 2026. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue up 64%, gross margin up 88%: Revenue was $174.6 million, up from $106.7 million, and gross margin was $126.3 million, up from $67.3 million, in the third quarter. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA up 133% year-over-year: Adjusted EBITDA was $120.9 million, a 69.3% margin, up over 2,000 basis points from the prior-year margin, with nine-month Adjusted EBITDA of $199.4 million. Source
  • Diluted EPS $1.96, adjusted $2.21: Net income was $117.1 million and net income attributable to common shareholders was $113.8 million. Diluted EPS was $1.96 and adjusted diluted EPS was $2.21. Source
  • Diluted share count rose to 58.0 million: Diluted weighted average shares were 58.0 million, against 55.6 million a year earlier, including shares issuable on conversion of the convertible notes, which were dilutive in the quarter. Source

Segment revenue and gross margin

  • Content Solutions revenue up 110%: Content Solutions revenue was $94.0 million, up from $44.8 million, and gross margin was $71.7 million, a 76% gross margin, against $31.9 million a year earlier. Source
  • Technology Products revenue up 28%: Technology Products and Services revenue was $77.3 million, driven by rental growth tied to higher box office and by amendments and renewals of existing agreements. Source
  • All Other revenue rose to $3.3 million: All Other, which includes the Streaming and Consumer Technology business and ancillary activities, reported revenue of $3.3 million against $1.4 million a year earlier. Source

“The record margins we generated in the quarter demonstrate the unique strength of our model, and the growing value of scarce events and experiences in an increasingly A.I.-driven world”

Imax Corp., press release

Box office and 2027 film slate

  • Quarterly global box office up 94%: Global box office rose 94% year-over-year to the highest quarterly total in company history, and the company's share of industry third-quarter box office was on under 1% of worldwide screens. Source
  • The Odyssey led third-quarter titles: The Odyssey contributed $538 million and Spider-Man: Brand New Day $58 million of the quarter's global box office. Source
  • The Odyssey is top IMAX release ever: The Odyssey is the highest grossing IMAX release of all time, with more than $550 million in worldwide box office. Source
  • Filmed-for-IMAX titles in 2027 slate: The 2027 slate includes Filmed for IMAX releases such as Star Wars: Starfighter, Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow and Avengers: Secret Wars, plus the original Star Wars in IMAX 70mm. Source

System signings, installations and backlog

  • Quarter signings edged up, year-to-date fell: Signings were 20 in the quarter against 19. Nine-month signings were 79 against 142. The release text cites more than 100 signings year-to-date, a count the table does not show. Source
  • Installations down year-over-year: Installations were 32 against 38, with 15 under sales arrangements compared with 17. Nine-month installations were 89 against 95. Source
  • Backlog down; sales-arrangement backlog up: Total backlog was below a year earlier. Sales-arrangement backlog rose to 231 from 157, while traditional JRSA backlog fell to 173 from 227. Source

“Our momentum is fueling sales activity with exhibitors around the world, with our team delivering more than 100 signings for IMAX systems worldwide year-to-date”

Imax Corp., press release

Margins, costs and tax

  • Gross margin widened to 72.3%: Gross margin was 72.3%, up 920 basis points from 63.1%. Nine-month gross margin was 65.5%, up 440 basis points. Source
  • SG&A rose on higher expense: Selling, general and administrative expenses were $39.1 million against $34.2 million. Research and development expense was $1.9 million against $1.5 million. Source
  • Tax recovery included valuation release: Income tax was a $43.3 million recovery, against a $5.2 million expense a year earlier. The recovery included a $36.7 million release of valuation allowance on Canadian deferred tax assets. Source
  • Adjusted net income excludes stock compensation: Adjusted net income was $127.9 million. Adjustments include $9.6 million of share-based compensation, with a $2.3 million tax effect on the adjustments. Source

Cash flow and liquidity

  • Third-quarter operating cash flow $86 million: Cash from operating activities was $86 million, up 28% year-over-year, in the third quarter. Source
  • Nine-month operating cash flow up 25%: Nine-month operating cash flow was $122 million, up 25%, which management linked to higher operating profits and a higher conversion of profit to cash as margins increase. Source
  • Free cash flow up to $100.3 million: Nine-month free cash flow was $100.3 million against $62.9 million, after $14.0 million of investment in equipment for joint revenue sharing arrangements. Source
  • Liquidity of $641 million at quarter-end: Liquidity comprised $208 million of cash, $375 million of revolver capacity and $58 million at IMAX China. Total debt excluding deferred financing costs was $251 million. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • No share repurchases in third quarter: No shares were repurchased in the third quarter. The second quarter included 404,866 shares bought at an average $33.91, or $13.7 million. Source
  • $237 million left on buyback authority: Total share repurchase authority was $500.0 million, with approximately $237.0 million available under the program. Source
  • 2030 convertible notes and capped calls: The 0.750% convertible notes due 2030 carry capped calls with a $57.10 cap price. Convertible notes and other borrowings were $244.1 million on the balance sheet. Source

Management view and platform

  • Odyssey framed as historic achievement: Management described The Odyssey as a historic cinematic achievement shot entirely with IMAX technology, marking a new era for the company. Source
  • Exhibitor sales activity accelerating: Management said sales activity with exhibitors is accelerating following The Odyssey's performance. Source
  • New locations and Rest of World growth: New locations made up 65% of year-to-date signings, and management cited growth across priority Rest of World markets. Source
  • Shift toward shared experiences: Management linked the results to a broader shift in how people, particularly young people, seek connection and shared experiences. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Dune: Part Three December release: Dune: Part Three is due for global release in December, with pre-sales cited ahead of the film. Source
  • Avengers: Doomsday China release: The Chinese release of Avengers: Doomsday is named, with Dune: Part Three, as kicking off the 2027 slate. Source
  • Chinese New Year release led by Wandering Earth 3: The 2027 slate includes a Chinese New Year offering led by Wandering Earth 3. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
IMAX systems in network, total Source1,887
Commercial multiplex systems Source1,820
System backlog (systems) Source409
System installations in quarter Source32
System signings in quarter Source20
Global box office, quarter Source$712 million
IMAX share of industry third-quarter global box office Source6.7%

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Credit loss expense, net was $1.2 million against $0.6 million a year earlier. Nine-month expense was $2.2 million against $0.3 million. Source
  • Financial: A $6.8 million goodwill impairment was recorded in the quarter and excluded from adjusted net income. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The company expects to post monthly quarter-to-date box office updates within five business days of month-end, subject to change without notice. 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.