On June 1, 2026, IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) and Asian Cinemas, one of India’s leading cinema chains, announced an agreement for three new state-of-the-art IMAX® with Laser locations in India through the AMB Cinemas brand. Two of the new locations will be in Hyderabad, the capital of the southern Indian state of Telangana and a major center of the Telugu language film industry. The first location, at the AMB Classic in Hyderabad, will open before the end of 2026, with the remaining two locations planned for 2028.
IMAX returns to Hyderabad after a decade with three new AMB Cinema locations
Sunil Narang and Bharat Narang, Managing Directors of AMB Cinemas, said, “Hyderabad’s hunger and love for cinema is unmatched, and it is a matter of great honor and pride for AMB Cinemas to bring the iconic IMAX format back to Hyderabad.” “Our collaboration with IMAX brings us great joy and excitement. AMB Cinemas is a brand that stands for quality and cinematic excellence. Collaborating with IMAX feels like the right step in our bid to continue to provide the best to our audiences. We look forward to this blockbuster collaboration.”
“2025 was our best year ever at the box office in India – driven by a dynamic slate of Hollywood and Indian films – and our strong performance is driving demand among new and existing exhibition partners in the region,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “India is home to a vibrant cinema culture of innovative filmmakers and passionate audiences, all eager for the IMAX experience – and this agreement will help grow our presence in one of the country’s most important markets.”
The deal marks the return of IMAX to Hyderabad, which has been without an IMAX location since the iconic Prasad IMAX location, one of the first IMAX locations in India and a milestone for the company’s international expansion, closed in 2015. The return of IMAX to the city has been highly anticipated by local audiences. It is expected before the release of the Indian film VaranasiFrom acclaimed director SS Rajamouli. Rajamouli’s last two films were Academy Award®-winners. RRR And Baahubali: ConclusionThe two highest-grossing Indian films ever for IMAX.
IMAX has grown significantly in India, with attendance growing nearly 60% since 2020 to 34 open locations today, with at least four more expected to open this year. India has been ranked among the top ten markets for IMAX for the past decade, and 2025 was IMAX India’s best box office year ever with a record $25.6 million, including nearly $8 million from international content. The market has also become a key driver of IMAX’s local-language strategy, with releases in a record 11 Indian languages in 2025.
The market supports a dynamic mix of content, with two of the top ten IMAX titles in India arriving earlier this year – Dhurandhar 2Highest-grossing Indian title for IMAX in the country, and a smash filmed for IMAX Project Hail MaryWhich is the fifth largest title in the market. This momentum will continue with the upcoming 2026 Filmed for IMAX slate, which includes hits from Universal/Syncopation. odyssey and Warner Bros./Legendary Dune: Part Three During the remaining year.
The new Asian Cinemas IMAX locations will be equipped with IMAX with Laser, the most advanced IMAX cinema experience ever. Developed from the ground up for maximum immersion, IMAX with Laser delivers crystal-clear 4K images, precise audio and cutting-edge projection technology, setting a new standard for movie watching. The system features a groundbreaking optical engine, custom-designed lenses and proprietary IMAX technology that delivers brighter images, deeper contrast and a wider range of colors exclusively on IMAX screens.
