Dreamworks Animation's Monsters vs. Aliens Breaks Numerous IMAX Box Office Records on Opening Weekend

LAS VEGAS, NV, March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMAX Corporation (NASDAQ:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. today announced that Monsters vs. Aliens, the studio's first 3D release which opened number one at the domestic box office, broke numerous box office records in IMAX(R) theatres during its opening weekend. The film generated $5.1 million on 143 IMAX screens domestically for a per screen average of $35,682 from Friday, March 27, through Sunday March 29, marking the highest-grossing IMAX(R) 3D opening ever. The domestic IMAX opening contributed nearly 9% of the film's overall box office gross on less than 2% of its total screens.

The IMAX release also had very strong openings internationally, setting new records in Russia, Ukraine and the Philippines, with all locations reporting sold out shows throughout the weekend. The film is scheduled to open day and date on 51 more international IMAX screens in the days and weeks to follow.

"Monsters vs. Aliens is off to a spectacular start and moviegoers definitely showed a willingness and desire to see it in IMAX 3D, an experience that garnered strong buzz and positive feedback," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO of DreamWorks Animation.

"We're very pleased with the performance of the film in IMAX theatres and our strong showing demonstrates that consumers continue to seek out The IMAX Experience(R)," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "The fact that nine percent of the overall box office came from 143 IMAX screens indicates that families are looking for great entertainment and are willing to pay a premium for IMAX."

"Monsters vs. Aliens is a hit worldwide, and we're thrilled that the combination of a great film from DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures presented in IMAX 3D is resonating with moviegoers," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "From Moscow to Manila and from New York to San Diego, audiences filled IMAX theatres over the course of the weekend. The word of mouth for IMAX is fantastic, which bodes well for the film's legs during the weeks ahead."

Monsters vs. Aliens is the third of five DreamWorks Animation feature films previously announced and slated for release in IMAX, and the first to be presented in IMAX 3D. The film has been digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience with IMAX DMR(R) technology.

About IMAX Corporation

IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. The worldwide IMAX network is among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event Hollywood films around the globe, with IMAX theatres delivering the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR is the Company's groundbreaking digital re-mastering technology that allows it to digitally transform virtually any conventional motion picture into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. IMAX's renowned projectors display crystal-clear images on the world's biggest screens, and the IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences for consumers. As of December 31, 2008, there were 351 IMAX theatres (231 commercial, 120 institutional) operating in 42 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) Dome, IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX(R) 3D Dome, Experience It In IMAX(R), The IMAX Experience(R), An IMAX Experience(R), IMAX DMR(R), DMR(R), IMAX MPX(R), IMAX think big(R) and think big(R) are trademarks and trade names of the Company. More information about the Company can be found at http://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 ongoing discussions with the SEC and OSC relating to their ongoing inquiries and the Company's accounting, the performance of films, the signing of theatre system agreements, the viability of new technologies, businesses and products, 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, risks arising from potential material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting and fluctuations in foreign currency and in the large format, general commercial exhibition and out-of-home entertainment markets. These factors and other risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and most recent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation is principally devoted to developing and producing computer generated, or CG, animated feature films. With world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced CG filmmaking technology and techniques, DreamWorks Animation makes high quality CG animated films meant for a broad movie-going audience. The Company anticipates releasing its feature films into both conventional and IMAX(R) theatres worldwide. The Company has theatrically released a total of eighteen animated feature films, including Shrek, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Madagascar, Over the Hedge, Shrek the Third, Bee Movie, Kung Fu Panda, Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa and Monsters vs. Aliens. All of the Company's feature films are now being produced in stereoscopic 3D technology.

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: Media: IMAX Corporation, New York, Sarah Gormley, (212)
821-0155, [e-mail]; DreamWorks Animation, Jeff Hare, [phone],
[e-mail]; Business Media: Sloane & Company, New York, Whit
Clay, [phone], [e-mail]; Entertainment Media: Rogers & Cowan,
Los Angeles, Elliot Fischoff, Jason Magner, [phone],
[e-mail]; Investors: IMAX Corporation, New York, Heather
Anthony, [phone], [e-mail]; DreamWorks Animation Corporate
Communications, Shannon Olivas, [phone], [e-mail]