• Michael Leads the Charge: Massive audience demand for the Michael Jackson biopic Michael served as the primary engine for IMAX’s dominant second-quarter performance.
• Double-Digit Growth: IMAX recorded $103 million in quarterly revenue—a 12% increase year-over-year—backed by $285 million in total global box office receipts.
• Record Ambitions: Driven by heavy premium format demand for major spring tentpoles, IMAX remains on track for an all-time record $1.4 billion global box office total in 2026.
• Global Footprint Expands: The giant-screen network added 38 new auditoriums during the quarter, staying well on pace for its annual 160-screen expansion target.

What’s that you say? Michael Jackson changing the game and bringing in revenue again? Why yes, the King of Pop has delivered a massive win for the giant-screen format. Heading up a slate of strong spring releases, the MICHAEL biopic packed auditoriums worldwide, helping IMAX generate $103 million in second-quarter revenue—a solid 12% jump year-over-year, according to a recent report from TheWrap.

The spring blockbuster served as the centerpiece of a quarter that pulled in $285 million in global box office receipts across IMAX screens, proving once again that audiences are willing to pay top dollar for large-format musical experiences.

RELATED: ‘Michael’ Surpasses ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’ to Become the Highest-Grossing Film of 2026

Company Tracking Toward Record $1.4 Billion Year

IMAX reported Q2 earnings of 27 cents per share, matching market momentum and landing just a hair under Wall Street projections of 28 cents.

Thanks to the momentum created by MICHAEL and other major theatrical releases, IMAX confirmed it remains firmly on track to achieve $1.4 billion in global box office grosses for the year. Reaching that threshold would mark the highest annual box office total in the company’s history.

For now, at least, MICHAEL reigns alone. On top of surpassing coveted $1 billion mark at the global box office *and* becoming the highest-grossing biopic in history, the film has added yet another accomplishment to its long resume— surpassing Super Mario Galaxy to become the single highest-grossing theatrical release of the year worldwide. This follows the movie surpassing Christopher Nolan’s landmark 2008 blockbuster, The Dark Knight, in total worldwide box office earnings.

Featured Photo: Lionsgate

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