The cost to build a commercial IMAX theater is about $12,000 per seat. This includes all the equipment and construction costs. The average price for a single ticket at an IMAX theater is $18, but it can range from $5 to $25 depending on location and show.
At one time it cost $5 million to adapt a theater to IMAX-about $3 million for the space and $2 million for the technology.
AMC Entertainment Holdings does not offer franchise opportunities for its theatres presently.
Avatar is the highest grossing movie of all time with over $2.8 billion in box office sales.
The exact price of an IMAX theater depends on its size, but most cost between $50 and $100 million. The largest ever built was in Sydney for $75 million in 1999. IMAX theaters require expensive, specialized equipment that is difficult to maintain.
A single digital projector for a movie theater can cost $10,000 to $30,000 depending on factors like brightness and resolution. The average movie ticket price in the U.S. is about $9.
IMAX home theater systems start at $400,000. Their “Palais” system is comparable to a luxury car. Film rentals and equipment cost extra. IMAX is in over 1,500 theaters and 80 countries globally.
Laser projectors for a standard auditorium screen cost around $200,000. For a premium large format screen, the average equipment cost is $375,000. Building and furnishing the room would be extra. Premium screens accounted for 14% of the 2022 North American box office.
Construction costs depend on factors like number of screens and seats. Hiring experienced contractors is key for an accurate estimate. The average cost to open a mid-sized theater is around $1.5 million.
Imax home theaters range from $25,000 to $100,000 depending on size and features. The projector is the biggest cost, ranging $10,000 to $50,000.