Imax and Wanda Film, China’s largest exhibitor, have recently announced a significant expansion of their partnership. The agreement includes upgrading 61 of Wanda Film’s top-performing locations to state-of-the-art Imax with Laser technology. This move is aimed at enhancing the movie-viewing experience for audiences in key cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen.
In addition to upgrading existing locations, Wanda Film will also renew up to 37 Imax locations over the next five years. Furthermore, there are plans to add up to 25 new Imax locations within the next three years. This expansion will further solidify Wanda Film’s position as having the largest Imax footprint in China.
Apart from the technological upgrades, the partnership between Imax and Wanda Film will also involve collaboration in exploring content and experiences across various genres like documentaries, music, gaming, and sports. This collaboration is expected to bring a diverse range of immersive experiences to moviegoers in China.
The CEO of Imax, Rich Gelfond, views the agreement with Wanda Film as a landmark deal that strengthens Imax’s position in China’s largest circuit. With a balanced slate of Chinese and Hollywood blockbusters in the pipeline, Imax is poised to offer a wide range of cinematic entertainment options to audiences in China. The partnership with Wanda Film is seen as a strategic move to capitalize on the immense opportunity in the Chinese market.
The collaboration between Imax and Wanda Film is expected to open new doors for cooperation in blockbuster films, documentaries, and events in various entertainment categories. The partnership between Wanda Film and Imax is also set to benefit from the involvement of China Ruyi Holdings and Tencent, which could potentially lead to further expansion and innovation in the film exhibition industry.
Imax’s strong summer slate of Chinese and Hollywood films in China sets the stage for anticipated robust content pipelines in 2025 and 2026. The planned releases include a mix of global and Chinese films, with a special focus on Chinese New Year holiday releases. This diverse film slate aims to cater to the preferences of audiences in China and beyond.
The expansion of the partnership between Imax and Wanda Film represents a significant milestone in the film exhibition industry in China. The focus on technological innovation, content exploration, and strategic collaboration is expected to enhance the overall movie-viewing experience for audiences in China. With a strong commitment to offering immersive cinematic entertainment, the future looks bright for Imax and Wanda Film as they continue to redefine the standards of film exhibition in China.