Australia’s cinematic footprint is about to get a whole lot bigger. Following a hugely successful initial rollout at the end of 2025, HOYTS and IMAX have just announced a massive new agreement to bring 10 additional state-of-the-art IMAX with Laser locations to Australia and New Zealand.
The deal marks the largest IMAX agreement to date for Australia, nearly doubling the region’s premium viewing footprint. Combined with the four screens launched late last year, HOYTS will soon boast 14 dedicated IMAX locations across the two countries over the next two years.
Moviegoers won’t have to wait long to feel the bass, either. At least three of the new locations are slated to open before the end of 2026, with the remaining screens rolling out through 2027 and 2028.
Meeting the Premium Demand
As audiences increasingly look for events and premium experiences to draw them out of the house, the numbers speak for themselves. IMAX Australia delivered a record $18.6 million AUD at the box office last year, largely fueled by the massive success of Avatar: Fire and Ash.
HOYTS Group CEO and President Damian Keogh noted that the expansion is perfectly timed with studio slates.
“The strong performance of our four existing HOYTS IMAX locations, launched at the end of 2025, reflects the growing demand for premium cinema experiences,” Keogh said. “As more movies are being specifically designed for this format, expanding our partnership with IMAX comes at exactly the right time.”
Giovanni Dolci, Chief Commercial Officer at IMAX, echoed the sentiment, revealing that Australia is currently one of IMAX’s highest-performing global markets (we rank 9th overall!). “Demand for IMAX has outstripped our footprint,” Dolci said. “Together with HOYTS… we’re moving quickly to meet that demand and bring the IMAX experience to more audiences.”
Crystal-Clear Tech: What is IMAX with Laser?
The 10 new locations will be equipped with IMAX with Laser, the company’s most advanced projection tech. Developed from the ground up to maximise immersion, the system uses a groundbreaking optical engine and custom-designed lenses to deliver crystal-clear 4K images, deeper contrast, and a wider range of colours. Paired with precision audio, it’s designed to be the ultimate way to watch a blockbuster.
A Massive Slate Ahead
The expansion comes as the “Filmed For IMAX” format continues to dominate the box office. Recently, Project Hail Mary notched the second biggest opening weekend ever for IMAX in Australia.
The momentum is only going to accelerate. With the upcoming 2026 films, these new and existing HOYTS IMAX screens will be put to the test with major releases like Mortal Kombat II and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu dropping this May.
To check out the latest releases and find your nearest HOYTS IMAX session, head over to the official HOYTS website.
