IMAX Feasts at the Global Box Office with Record $40.8 Million Thanksgiving Weekend
Led by Formidable Family Lineup of “Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good,” IMAX Tops Previous Thanksgiving Best by Whopping +70%
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) shattered its box office record for the Thanksgiving holiday period, delivering $40.8 million worldwide for the five-day stretch behind the hit tandem of Disney’s “Zootopia 2” and Universal’s “Wicked: For Good.” The results topped the Company’s previous Thanksgiving record — set just last year in 2024 with $24 million — by an impressive 70% and marks the best global November weekend in IMAX history.
“‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Wicked: For Good’ delivered a phenomenal one-two punch for the Thanksgiving holiday — hitting the sweet spot for family audiences and sending our global box office soaring well past expectations,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “Disney and Universal are to be commended on an excellent weekend for moviegoing around the world — a great indicator that fans of all ages are seeking distinctive cinematic entertainment this holiday season.”
The powerhouse opening of “Zootopia 2” led the way, with IMAX delivering $32.1 million worldwide in its debut, including $20.5 in million in China — 8% of its total box office in the country on less than 1% of screens. “Zootopia 2” earned another $7.6 million in North America on its way to several IMAX records, including:
- Biggest November global opening
- Biggest Thanksgiving global opening
- Biggest global opening for a family or animated title
The weekend was further boosted by the carryover of “Wicked: For Good,” which conjured $7.2 million across the holiday weekend period, including $5.6 million in North America. IMAX has now delivered $31.3 million in global box office for the film to date, building on the $24 million generated by the franchise’s first installment in 2024.
“Family audiences represent a strong growth opportunity for IMAX, and our record Thanksgiving weekend with ‘Zootopia 2’ and ‘Wicked: For Good’ underscore the progress we’ve made connecting with parents and kids as we stride toward our best year ever at the box office,” Gelfond continued.
“Zootopia 2” and “Wicked: For Good” will continue to play throughout the IMAX network next weekend, providing a strong kickoff to the holiday season that crescendos with the highly anticipated global release of Disney/Lightstorm’s “Avatar: Fire and Ash” on December 18.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX’s network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.
IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of September 30, 2025, there were 1,829 IMAX systems (1,759 commercial multiplexes, 10 commercial destinations, 60 institutional locations) operating in 89 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970”.
IMAX®, IMAX® 3D, Experience It In IMAX®, The IMAX Experience®, DMR®, Filmed For IMAX®, IMAX Live®, IMAX Enhanced® and IMAX VisionScience™ are trademarks and trade names of the Company or its subsidiaries that are registered or otherwise protected under laws of various jurisdictions. For more information, visit www.imax.com. You may also connect with IMAX on Instagram (www.instagram.com/imax), Facebook (www.facebook.com/imax), LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/imax), X (www.twitter.com/imax), and YouTube (www.youtube.com/imaxmovies).
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INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Film & Motion Pictures Entertainment
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