IMAX Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2004 Financial Results

IMAX Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2004 Financial Results

HIGHLIGHTS ----------

- Company exceeds expectations for 2004, reporting net earnings of $0.26 per share, after bond refinancing costs, and raises 2005 earnings outlook to $0.35-$0.38 per share.

- Company signs contracts for 36 theatre systems in 2004, the best year since 1999, and exceeds guidance of 30-35 signings.

- The Polar Express: An IMAX(R) 3D Experience, sets numerous IMAX DMR(R) box office records, pulling in nearly $45 million world-wide to date.

- 2005 film slate is best in Company history with three IMAX DMR releases already committed, beginning with Twentieth Century Fox's Robots: The IMAX Experience, opening tomorrow.

TORONTO, March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ: IMAX; TSX: IMX) today reported net earnings of $0.26 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2004, ahead of the Company's previous guidance for net earnings of $0.23 per share, both after deducting $0.02 per share in bond refinancing costs. This compares to net earnings of $0.01 per diluted share reported in the prior year. Excluding bond refinancing costs of $0.02 per share, net earnings from continuing operations were $0.26 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2004. This compares to net earnings from continuing operations of $0.14 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2003, which exclude $0.13 per share of debt repurchase and refinancing costs.

For the three months ended December 31, 2004, the Company reported net earnings of $0.19 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $0.01 per diluted share for the year-ago period. Excluding bond refinancing costs, net earnings from continuing operations were $0.19 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2004 as compared to $0.09 per diluted share for the three months ended December 31, 2003.

"The year 2004 was a watershed for IMAX, as we significantly grew the commercial IMAX(R) theatre network and established it as a valuable new distribution platform for Hollywood event films," said IMAX Co-Chief Executive Officers Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Last year we achieved all of our key strategic goals, and that has started to translate into positive financial results, with 2004 earnings beating expectations and showing significant improvement over 2003. Given the strong start to the first quarter of 2005, we are increasingly confident that our growth will continue to accelerate, prompting today's upward revision to our 2005 estimates."

From the first installation of IMAX's new projection system, the IMAX(R) MPX(TM), in June 2004, until year-end, the Company signed agreements for 29 IMAX theatre systems, more than for all of 2003. For the full year 2004, the Company signed contracts for 36 theatre systems, up 44% from the 25 signings reported in 2003. The best for a single year since 1999, these signings comprise agreements with some of the top-ten domestic exhibitors, and include contracts for 22 IMAX MPX systems. During the year, the Company signed multi-theatre agreements with Cinemark USA Inc. and National Amusements Inc., the third and sixth largest domestic theatre operators, respectively.

During the fourth quarter, the Company signed contracts for 11 theatre systems, including two multi-theatre agreements to install IMAX systems in The People's Republic of China. A six-theatre deal with Lark International Multimedia, the parent of Studio City Cinema Holdings and UA Cinemas, which operates over 55 multiplexes in China, marks the largest multi-theatre deal IMAX has ever signed in Asia. Also during the quarter, IMAX signed agreements in China with an institutional entity of the Chongqing municipal government for three IMAX theatre systems, one of which is an IMAX MPX system, and with the CAAC Museum in Beijing for an IMAX theatre system. Suvar-Kazan Company Ltd., the leading exhibitor in Kazan, became the third Russian exhibitor to sign an IMAX MPX deal in 2004. Cinepolis, the largest operator in Latin America, also announced plans to accelerate the delivery of its remaining two IMAX systems, from 2006/2007 to 2005.

Continued Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler, "Our recent multiplex deals reflect accelerating interest in IMAX from commercial exhibitors around the world, confirming that the IMAX MPX economic model is compelling for theatre operators. Hollywood movies in IMAX's format are also posting consistently impressive numbers, providing added incentive for multiplex operators to enter the IMAX business."

On the heels of 2004 box office successes NASCAR 3D: The IMAX Experience and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: The IMAX Experience, the Company released the first-ever Hollywood feature film converted into IMAX(R) 3D. Warner Bros. Pictures' The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience opened on November 10 to sell-out shows across the country, garnered rave reviews, and quickly went on to break numerous box office records for an IMAX film. This new holiday classic grossed approximately $35 million domestically on only about 60 IMAX screens, and approximately $10 million internationally on just 20 IMAX screens, bringing the per-screen gross from this one film to over $500,000.

"The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience surpassed all of our expectations and is the best evidence to date that releasing a film in IMAX's format is a 'win' for IMAX, IMAX theatres, the studios, and movie fans who are happy to pay a premium price for The IMAX Experience(R). The $500,000 per-screen generated by the film, combined with our other 2004 releases, demonstrated to commercial exhibitors that our films can generate more than the $1 million in revenue per year modelled to achieve a three-year payback on an IMAX MPX retrofit investment," concluded Messrs. Gelfond and Wechsler.

Just two months into the year, the Company already has in place agreements for day-and-date releases of three IMAX DMR films in 2005, as many as were released for all of 2004. These include Twentieth Century Fox's Robots on March 11 and Warner Bros. Studios' Batman Begins (June 17) and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (July 15). The 2005 film slate for IMAX theatres also includes two original 3D films: Disney's Aliens of the Deep, released on January 28, and an original IMAX and Playtone production, Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D, produced and written by Tom Hanks, to be released in September.

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004, the Company's consolidated revenues were $136.0 million, a 14% increase from consolidated revenues of $119.3 million reported for 2003. IMAX Systems revenue was $86.6 million versus $75.8 million for 2003, as the Company recognised revenue on 22 theatre systems versus 21 in 2003, one of which was an operating lease. Film revenue for the year was $27.9 million versus $25.8 million last year, helped by the success of The Polar Express: An IMAX 3D Experience in the fourth quarter of the year. Theatre Operations revenue increased to $17.4 million from $13.1 million, as the performance of the Company's seven owned and operated theatres improved significantly. Other revenues decreased to $4.1 million in 2004 from $4.5 million last year. The Company also increased its cash position to $29.0 million at December 31, 2004 from an ending cash position of $23.0 million at December 31, 2003, net of cash used to retire $29.2 million of principal of the Company's Old Senior Notes in the first two weeks of 2004.

Earnings from operations increased 43% to $25.8 million from $18.1 million reported in 2003, and gross margin improved five percentage points to 48% in 2004. Excluding bond refinancing costs of $0.02 per share, net earnings from continuing operations were $0.26 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2004. This compares to net earnings from continuing operations of $0.14 per diluted share for the year ended December 31, 2003, which exclude $0.13 per share of debt repurchase and refinancing costs.

In the fourth quarter, the Company's consolidated revenues were $47.5 million as compared to $29.9 million in the prior year period. Systems revenue was $28.8 million versus $19.9 million in the prior year period, with the Company recognising revenue on nine theatre systems versus six theatre systems in the year-ago period. Film revenue was $10.7 million, as compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2003. Theatre Operations revenue was $6.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004, as compared to $3.0 million in the same period last year. Other revenues increased to $1.8 million from $0.8 million in the same period last year. The Company took an $0.8 million write-down on its camera rental assets during the quarter, which equated to approximately $0.02 per diluted share.

Under the applicable requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, IMAX expects to report when its 10-K is filed, that its internal controls over financial reporting are effective as of December 31, 2004.

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results at 10:30 AM ET. To access the call interested parties should call (913) 981-4902 approximately 10 minutes before it begins. A recording of the call will be available by dialing (719) 457-0820. The code for both calls is 1277408.

About IMAX Corporation

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re-mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of December 31, 2004, there were 248 IMAX theatres operating in more than 35 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), IMAX(R) MPX(TM), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

This press release contains forward looking statements that are based on management's assumptions and existing information and involve certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Important factors that could affect these statements include the timing of theatre system deliveries, the mix of theatre systems shipped, the timing of the recognition of revenues and expenses on film production and distribution agreements, the performance of films, the viability of new businesses and products, and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format and general commercial exhibition market. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2003 and in the subsequent reports filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

IMAX CORPORATION CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts) (unaudited)

Three months ended Years ended December 31, December 31, ------------------------ ------------------------ 2004 2003 2004 2003 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Revenue IMAX systems $ 28,759 $ 19,934 $ 86,570 $ 75,848 Films 10,721 6,233 27,887 25,803 Theater operations 6,212 2,967 17,415 13,109 Other 1,832 799 4,108 4,500 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- 47,524 29,933 135,980 119,260 Costs of goods and services 23,048 17,931 70,062 67,283 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Gross margin 24,476 12,002 65,918 51,977

Selling, general and administrative expenses 11,525 8,448 36,066 33,312 Research and development 961 961 3,995 3,794 Amortization of intangibles 174 101 719 573 Income from equity- accounted investees - (1,995) - (2,496) Receivable provisions net of (recoveries) (522) (2,489) (1,487) (2,225) Restructuring costs and asset impairments 848 969 848 969 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Earnings from operations 11,490 6,007 25,777 18,050

Interest income 92 140 756 656 Interest expense (4,287) (3,907) (16,853) (15,856) Loss on retirement of notes - (4,577) (784) (4,910) Recovery of long-term investments 293 1,538 293 1,892 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes 7,588 (799) 9,189 (168) Recovery of (provision for) income taxes - (14) 255 386 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations 7,588 (813) 9,444 218 Net earnings from discontinued operations 200 488 800 195 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles 7,788 (325) 10,244 413 Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles - (182) - (182) ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) $ 7,788 $ (507) $ 10,244 $ 231 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Earnings (loss) per share: Earnings (loss) per share - basic: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.19 $ (0.02) $ 0.24 $ 0.01 Net earnings from discontinued operations $ 0.01 $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles 0.20 (0.01) 0.26 0.01 Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles - - - - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) $ 0.20 $ (0.01) $ 0.26 $ 0.01 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Earnings (loss) per share - diluted: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations $ 0.19 $ (0.02) $ 0.24 $ 0.01 Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations $ - $ 0.01 $ 0.02 $ - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles 0.19 (0.01) 0.26 0.01 Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles - - - - ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- Net earnings (loss) $ 0.19 $ (0.01) $ 0.26 $ 0.01 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Weighted average number of shares outstanding (000's): Basic 39,339 38,843 39,317 35,663 Diluted 40,786 40,317 39,980 36,431

Additional disclosure: Depreciation and amortization(1) $ 4,410 $ 4,111 $ 14,947 $ 12,355

(1) Includes $0.4 million and $1.2 million in amortization of deferred financing costs charged to interest expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2004 (2003 - $0.2 million, $0.7 million)

IMAX CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS In accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (In thousands of U.S. dollars) (unaudited)

As at December 31, ------------------------ 2004 2003 ----------- ----------- Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 28,964 $ 47,282 Restricted cash - 4,961 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,390 (2003 - $7,278) 19,899 13,887 Financing receivables 59,492 56,742 Inventories 29,001 28,218 Prepaid expenses 2,279 1,902 Film assets 871 1,568 Fixed assets 28,712 35,818 Other assets 13,377 13,827 Deferred income taxes 6,171 5,028 Goodwill 39,027 39,027 Other intangible assets 3,060 3,388 ----------- ----------- Total assets $ 230,853 $ 251,648 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Liabilities Accounts payable $ 5,827 $ 5,780 Accrued liabilities 56,897 45,066 Deferred revenue 50,505 63,344 Senior Notes due 2010 160,000 160,000 Old Senior Notes due 2005 - 29,234 ----------- ----------- Total liabilities 273,229 303,424 ----------- -----------

Shareholders' equity (deficit) Capital stock Common shares - no par value. Authorized - unlimited number. Issued and outstanding - 39,446,964 (2003 - 39,301,758) 116,281 115,609 Other equity 3,227 3,159 Deficit (160,945) (171,189) Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (939) 645 ----------- ----------- Total shareholders' deficit (42,376) (51,776) ----------- ----------- Total liabilities and shareholders' equity (deficit) $ 230,853 $ 251,648 ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Source: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Romi Schutzer, (212) 821-0144, rschutzer@imax.com; Entertainment Media: Newman & Company, Los Angeles, Al Newman, (310) 278-1560, asn@newman-co.com; Analysts: IMAX Corporation, New York, Cheryl Cramer, (212) 821-0121, ccramer@imax.com; Business Media: Sloane & Company, New York, Whit Clay, (212) 446-1864, wclay@sloanepr.com

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