IMAX and Georgia Theatre Company have announced a new agreement to establish five additional cinemas equipped with the advanced IMAX with Laser system across the Southeastern United States. This collaboration significantly extends the existing partnership between the two entities. The first IMAX auditorium under Georgia Theatre Company debuted in Athens, Georgia, in 2025, receiving a market response that surpassed expectations.
The five new IMAX auditoriums will be located across Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, including the year-round popular tourist destination Myrtle Beach. Two of these auditoriums are scheduled to open in 2027, with the remaining three to commence operations in 2028 and 2029.
Bo Chambliss, President of Georgia Theatre Company, stated, "Audience feedback on the IMAX experience has exceeded our expectations, reinforcing our belief that moviegoers are seeking immersive, high-quality cinematic experiences that cannot be replicated at home."
All new venues will be outfitted with the IMAX with Laser system. This system represents IMAX's most advanced cinema experience technology, featuring a purpose-built optical engine, custom lenses, and proprietary IMAX technology. It delivers brighter images, deeper contrast, the widest color range, and is complemented by 4K Ultra HD resolution and a precision sound system.
Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, noted, "IMAX has been achieving significant network and box office growth in the Southeastern U.S. market in recent years, largely thanks to forward-thinking, customer-focused regional exhibitors like Georgia Theatre Company."
Georgia Theatre Company is an employee-owned movie exhibition company operating 269 screens across 24 theaters in five Southeastern states. It is the only 100% employee-owned cinema chain in the United States, with staff directly participating in the company's long-term success.
This partnership expansion comes at a time of robust box office growth for IMAX. In 2025, IMAX set a new record for North American box office revenue, marking a 14% increase over the previous record set in 2023. The company maintained this growth momentum into the first quarter of 2026, with box office revenue rising 75% year-over-year. The upcoming film slate includes IMAX-formatted features such as Universal Pictures' "Odyssey" and Warner Bros.' "Dune: Part Three."
Georgia Theatre Company stated that this expansion represents an investment in the "long-term demand for premium cinema experiences" and is part of its ongoing commitment to the future of moviegoing in the communities it serves.
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