Imax has unveiled a deal for ten new big screen locations with Australian exhibition giant Hoyts Cinemas.
The agreement for new laser cinema venues across Australia and New Zealand builds on an earlier four-theater deal and will bring to 14 the number of Imax screens to come on stream in Hoyts’ circuit by 2028.
“Expanding our Imax footprint will give more audiences access to one of the most immersive and technologically advanced cinema experiences. This investment reflects our continued focus on innovation and ensuring Hoyts remains at the forefront of premium cinema,” Hoyts Group CEO and president Damian Keogh said in a statement on Wednesday.
The Australian exhibitor, like global peers, is riding a Hollywood box office recovery coming out of the pandemic, and using premium screens like those from Imax for momentum. The Hoyts agreement also builds out the Imax cinema presence in Australia from one location in 2022 to 10 currently, and with another 14 screens in backlog.
In 2025, Imax saw six new locations open across Melbourne, Sydney and Perth in time for the premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash. “Australia is one of our highest-performing markets globally, where demand for Imax has outstripped our footprint. Together with Hoyts — an outstanding partner with a strong track record of delivering premium cinema experiences — we’re moving quickly to meet that demand and bring the Imax experience to more audiences,” Giovanni Dolci, Imax chief commercial officer, said in a statement.
The film technologies company, based in Toronto, added Imax generated in 2025 a record AUS$18.6 million (US$12.1 million) in box office in Australia on the strength of titles like Project Hail Mary, and upcoming movies also shot with proprietary Imax cameras like Mortal Kombat 2 and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Hoyts operates over 500 screens across its circuit in Australia and New Zealand.
