IMAX is reportedly exploring a possible sale after holding early-stage talks with potential buyers, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal, later confirmed by Deadline and Reuters. While the discussions are said to be at a very preliminary stage and may not necessarily lead to a deal, the reports have already sparked major interest across Hollywood and Wall Street.
The news arrives at a time when IMAX is enjoying one of its strongest business periods in recent years, driven by the growing importance of premium theatrical formats and the continued success of large-scale event films. Following the Wall Street Journal report, IMAX shares surged sharply in trading, rising more than 10% as investors reacted to the possibility of a takeover.
Reports said the company has approached entertainment firms as potential suitors, although no formal sale process has been announced publicly. IMAX currently has a market value of around $1.85 billion, making it a relatively manageable acquisition target for large entertainment or technology companies.
The company has recently benefited from a strong theatrical slate led by major event films such as Project Hail Mary and Avatar: Fire and Ash, both of which leaned heavily on premium-screen demand. The momentum also follows IMAX’s strong Q1 2026 earnings run, which highlighted how large-format screenings are becoming increasingly important to blockbuster releases.
IMAX has reaffirmed expectations of reaching a record $1.4 billion in global box office revenue from its worldwide network in 2026. That figure highlights how premium large-format screens are becoming increasingly important to the overall movie business, especially at a time when audiences are becoming more selective about which films they choose to watch in theatres.
According to figures cited in the Wall Street Journal report, premium formats accounted for around 16% of ticket sales in the United States and Canada through early April this year, compared to 13% during the same period in 2021. IMAX itself reportedly represented around 5.2% of domestic box office sales last year, compared with 3.2% before the pandemic in 2019.
The growing demand for IMAX also reflects the return of large-format cinema, with more filmmakers and studios designing event films specifically for premium-screen presentation. Recent years have also seen rising interest in large-format filmmaking and exhibition as studios increasingly use premium formats as a major part of theatrical marketing.
The reports have also triggered speculation over who could potentially acquire the company if talks move forward. Analysts quoted in market reports pointed to names such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple, Sphere Entertainment and Disney as possible candidates.
Netflix’s name has particularly drawn attention because the streamer has recently deepened its relationship with IMAX and theatrical exhibition. David Fincher’s Brad Pitt-starrer The Adventures of Cliff Booth is set to receive a two-week IMAX theatrical run before moving to Netflix, while Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew is also expected to receive a major IMAX rollout before its streaming release.
The growing relationship between streaming companies and premium theatrical formats reflects a larger shift in Hollywood. Even streaming platforms are increasingly using theatres and IMAX runs to build anticipation around major films, especially franchise titles, sci-fi projects and large-scale spectacles that benefit from the big-screen experience.
At a previous investor event, IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond had hinted at different future possibilities for the company, saying IMAX could continue as a strong standalone business or eventually become part of a larger company capable of unlocking more global value.
However, any potential acquisition could also raise industry questions about how IMAX screens are allocated. If a major Hollywood studio were to acquire the company, rivals could closely watch whether competing films continue receiving equal access to IMAX screens and release windows.
The possible sale talks also underline how premium theatrical experiences have become one of the strongest parts of the theatrical comeback, especially as audiences continue choosing event films and large-format screenings over standard theatrical viewing.
As per reports from The Wall Street Journal, the discussions remain in an early stage and may not ultimately result in a sale.
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