Episode summary
IMAX CEO on 'The Odyssey,' Chris Nolan, and Company's Sudden Ascent | At Barron's
At Barron's
· · 31 min · Hosts: Andy Serwer · Guests: Richard Gelfond
Summary
IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond argued that the company’s growth comes from being a global, asset-light premium business that reaches 92 countries and about 1,800 theaters. He said IMAX makes money through exhibitor partnerships and studio royalties, while its technology monitors theaters in real time and can upres non-IMAX films to fit the format.
A major focus was Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which Gelfond said became the biggest IMAX release ever and helped drive more than $500 million in box office on only about 1% of screens. He described how Nolan pushed IMAX to build quieter cameras, new viewfinders, cloud storage, and a blimp system, and said the company’s image quality and filmmaker-first approach are key competitive advantages.
Gelfond also framed IMAX as a beneficiary of a healthier theatrical market and industry consolidation. He said studios and streamers are competing harder for blockbuster releases, while IMAX is gaining market share and expanding into live events, documentaries, and selective special releases from Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and others.
Key takeaways
- Gelfond said IMAX operates in 92 countries with about 1,800 theaters and uses an asset-light model that collects royalties rather than owning most venues.
- He said The Odyssey has become IMAX’s biggest box office success ever, with over $500 million from about 1% of screens.
- Gelfond argued that IMAX’s edge is technical and cultural: real-time theater monitoring, higher-resolution projection, and a filmmaker-first process.
- He said IMAX expects over $1.4 billion this year, up from about $1.25 billion last year, as theatrical attendance improves.
- He sees consolidation in Hollywood as a tailwind because bigger movies and premium releases strengthen IMAX’s role as a curator.
Notable quotes
“IMAX is the definition of a global business. Um, we're in 92 countries. We have about 1,800 theaters”
“It's it's over a 100% our uh biggest box office ever. We've done over $500 million”
“we're an asset light model which means that the exhibitors are our partners and they build the building and they pay for our equipment”
“if you want um and you know when you film with in digital or with a regular non IMAX system, it's about 2K or 4K. IMAX is about 16K”
“the number one reason for IMAX's growth and success is because we're committed to showing the filmmakaker's version on the screen”
How the episode opens
Hello everyone and welcome to At Barons. I'm Andy Serer and welcome to our guest Rich Gelfund, CEO of IMAX. Rich, great to see you. — Great to see you Andy.
So the Odyssey, the Odyssey, the Odyssey. I mean we are going to talk all about how many people have seen the Odyssey on IMAX. See, I think that's the perfect number, Rich, because it's about 50%.
So, you still got people out there who need to see the movie. I just saw it on IMAX and um wow, it it really is something else. We're going to talk all about that and the business and the business model, but first I want to ask you about being here at ANGA in the United Nations.
What does IMAX have to do with the United Nations and globalism and a global business? Well, IMAX is the definition of a global business. Um, we're in 92 countries.
We have about 1,800 theaters. I bought the company when there were 50 theaters in like eight countries 30 years ago. So, we've really built it globally.
And not only is the footprint globally, but most people don't realize that our content is global. So, we have 120 pieces of content a year. And they're not only um Hollywood movies exported around the world, they're Chinese movies, they're Indian movies, they're Korean movies.
Um believe it or not, we even have um Indonesian movies, although I can't pronounce the titles, Andy. Don't don't ask me. Um but we look at the world truly as a global company.
And in addition, I think we support a lot of the things the UN supports and we've done projects with them over the years. So, it's a pleasure to be here.
And talk to us a little bit about the business, how it works.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- ceo interview
- imx growth
- the odyssey film
- chris nolan
- market momentum
Companies and tickers mentioned
- IMAX
- IMAX
Watch the episode
Watch “IMAX CEO on 'The Odyssey,' Chris Nolan, and Company's Sudden Ascent | At Barron's” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
More from At Barron's
-
Kai-Fu Lee on How AI Can Help Grow a Company's Earnings -
Rocket CEO: "Homeowners Are Still Waiting to Buy Homes" -
Moderna CEO on the Biotech’s Cancer Vaccine and Pipeline -
'Stay Calm' Author Discusses the Science of Investing | At Barron's -
'Stay Calm' Author Discusses the Science of Investing | At Barron's -
University of Miami's President on Football, Budget, and Campus Climate | At Barron's
At Barron's, this episode and its artwork belong to At Barron's. Octagon is not affiliated with the show; this page is an independent summary.
