Imax China, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed subsidiary of the Canadian giant-screen exhibitor, reported a robust year of growth in the booming China market on Thursday.
The company's greater China box office reached $312.4 million, a 53.8 percent increase over net grosses in the territory in 2014. Reflecting the record box office and the company's ongoing screen installations, total revenues surged 41.4 percent to $110.6 million, with adjusted profit growing 66.9 percent year-over-year to reach $43.4 million.
The company said it will continue its expansion in the Chinese market with the installation of 100 new screens in 2016. Last year, Imax installed a record 74 giant screens, bringing its country-wide network total to 307 theaters.
In 2015, Imax exhibited 31 films in China, a record eight of which were local-language Chinese titles. Imax reports that its per screen average in greater China was up 10 percent for the year to $1.34 million. The company indicated that it was pleased with the growing-per-screen average given that it has been aggressively expanding in the market at the same time.
The biggest performing title for the company in 2015 was Furious 7, which earned a record $39 million in Imax box office. Local blockbuster Monster Hunt also set a domestic record, grossing $27 million in the format.
Imax China, listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Oct. 8, 2015, received $57 million in net proceeds, resulting in a cash balance of $90.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2015.