Wow! CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY's opening weekend breaks the IMAX record!
More reasons for Warner Bros. executives to cheer and Deppheads to dance like Oompa Loompas: CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: The IMAX Experience broke all existing box-office records for an IMAX release this past weekend! CATCF premiered in 65 North American IMAX theatres–the widest domestic IMAX opening to date–and grossed an estimated $2.21 million over the three-day period from Friday, July 15 to Sunday, July 17, for a per screen average of more than $34,000. IMAX Corp. and Warner Bros. report that in addition to establishing a new three-day opening record, the film also set single day box office records. CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY scored the biggest opening day, Saturday and Sunday for an IMAX digitally re-mastered release.
“Early research shows that everyone from eight to eighty loves CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY at IMAX theatres,” said Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution at Warner Bros. “IMAX offers moviegoers a special and unique way to experience our tentpole films, and given the overwhelmingly positive audience response to The IMAX Experience, we look forward to strong results for weeks to come.” The co-chairmen of IMAX Corp, Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler, concurred. “CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY has incredible word of mouth coming out of its first weekend, [. . .] which has us confident our blockbuster summer film slate will continue generating impressive box office returns throughout the season.”
Added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment, “Tim Burton’s brilliant telling of the Roald Dahl classic is a feast for the senses in IMAX – you’re completely engulfed in the vivid colors, entertaining score and adventure of the film. Warner Bros. Pictures has delivered another picture that is ideally suited for the IMAX canvas, as evidenced by the exceptional consumer response and record breaking debut.”
The Zone thanks Shadow for breaking the happy news. For a list of IMAX theaters showing CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, click HERE.