Movie Fans Select Oscar(R) Nominees They'd Most Like to See in IMAX

Movie Fans Select Oscar(R) Nominees They'd Most Like to See in IMAX

Reese Witherspoon, Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix Take Top Honors for Performances Worthy of the Ultimate Movie Experience

TORONTO, March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- IMAX Corporation (Nasdaq: IMAX; TSX:IMX), the newest distribution platform for Hollywood content and one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies, today announced the winners of an online survey of movie fans asking which OSCAR-nominated performers they would most like to see in IMAX's larger-than-life, immersive format.

According to respondents, the top OSCAR-nominated actors they'd like to see join the ranks of the IMAX elite are:

Actresses
1. Reese Witherspoon, Walk the Line - 43% of votes
2. Charlize Theron, North Country - 26% of votes

Actors
1. (TIE) Heath Ledger, Brokeback Mountain and Joaquin Phoenix, Walk
the Line - each with 32% of votes
2. Terrence Howard, Hustle and Flow - 15% of votes

IMAX(R) theatres provide the most immersive cinematic experience in the world. With extraordinarily crystal clear images, complemented by up to 14,000 watts of digital surround sound, every aspect of the movie experience is enhanced. Colors are brighter, images are sharper and more vivid, sound is encompassing and the screen fills the audiences' peripheral vision. This combination immerses moviegoers in the film, providing a larger than life, up-close and personal perspective.

The poll recognizes the subtlety and mastery of performances by these OSCAR-nominated stars. Because every detail is magnified in an IMAX presentation, audiences are more captivated by performers, clearly seeing every facial feature and subtle expression, which adds a dimension of interest, depth and reality to the performances.

"When you see a movie in IMAX, you get the full effect of what a movie is supposed to be - everything is intensified," said Tyler Olson, a 29-year-old IMAX fan in Los Angeles. "I saw Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in IMAX, and the amazing quality of the images and sound blew me away. I'd love to see more blockbusters in IMAX."

OSCAR-nominated and OSCAR-winning actors and actresses who have appeared in or narrated IMAX films include Johnny Depp (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Deep Sea 3D); Tom Hanks (Apollo 13, The Polar Express, Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D and this year's The Ant Bully); Natalie Portman (Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones), soon to appear in her second IMAX release, "V for Vendetta", and Kate Winslet (Deep Sea 3D).

"IMAX theatres provide a premium moviegoing experience," said Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment Greg Foster. "As more Hollywood event films are released to IMAX theatres, we are reaching the increasing number of moviegoers who are looking for a differentiated movie experience - one they cannot replicate at home."

In 2005, IMAX posted a 35% increase in box office while the overall industry saw a 6% decline. IMAX continues to transform Hollywood's finest films into event-movies, with the following IMAX simultaneous releases set for 2006: V for Vendetta: The IMAX Experience (March 17), Poseidon: The IMAX Experience (May 12), Superman Returns: The IMAX Experience (June 30), The Ant Bully: An IMAX 3D Experience (August 4), and Happy Feet: An IMAX 3D Experience (November 17).

Survey Methodology

Online Testing Exchange (OTX) Research conducted this study over a five- day period starting on Sunday and continuing through Thursday. A sample of 1200 respondents of 13 to 64 year olds participated in the study, with an even number of males and females and an equal age distribution (13 to 19, 20 to 29, 30+). Respondents must be: moviegoers (industry standard of a minimum of 6 movies per year); have not taken a movie survey within the last 3 months and cannot work in the entertainment industry. The data is shown as a rolling 5 day average, with the heaviest weight place on the most recent day's data. In this way, the data is trended and the tracking avoids the pitfalls of dramatic day to day shifts.

About IMAX Corporation
----------------------

Founded in 1967, IMAX Corporation is one of the world's leading entertainment technology companies and the newest distribution window for Hollywood films. IMAX delivers the world's best cinematic presentations using proprietary IMAX, IMAX(R) 3D, and IMAX DMR technology. IMAX DMR (Digital Re- mastering) makes it possible for virtually any 35mm film to be transformed into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience. The IMAX brand is recognized throughout the world for extraordinary and immersive entertainment experiences. As of December 31, 2005, there were 266 IMAX theatres operating in 38 countries.

IMAX(R), IMAX(R) 3D, IMAX DMR(R), IMAX MPX(R), and The IMAX Experience(R) are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. More information on the Company can be found at www.imax.com.

Source: IMAX Corporation

CONTACT: IMAX Corporation, New York, Sarah Gormley, (212) 821-0155,
sgormley@imax.com; Atomic Public Relations, San Francisco, Martha
Shaughnessy or Jennifer Olson, (415) 402-0230, Martha@atomicpr.com or
jennifer@atomicpr.com

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