Japanese exhibition powerhouse Toho Cinemas is supercharging its relationship with premium format provider Imax, inking a deal for six new state-of-the-art Imax cinemas with laser systems across Japan.
The expanded partnership sees Imax adding two new locations in Tokyo’s competitive theatrical market while strategically pushing into suburban areas including Utsunomiya, Nisshin, Toyama and Motosu.
In a significant milestone, the deal includes plans for Toho Cinemas Hibiya to house two Imax systems in the same complex — the first such arrangement outside North America. The second Hibiya system will replace an existing premium large format theater.
The Tokyo locations, along with venues in Utsunomiya and Nisshin, are expected to light up screens by year’s end, while Toyama and Motosu will follow in the first half of 2026. The agreement also includes upgrading one previously contracted location to Imax with laser specifications.
“In Japan, we are currently producing a large number of Japanese films and animation to be seen in the Imax format,” said Ikeda Takayuki, CEO of Toho Cinemas. “We have been looking for a long time to bring this premier visual experience to as huge an audience as possible.”
Ikeda highlighted the Hibiya dual-Imax arrangement as “almost unheard of in the world,” adding, “We will continue to deliver the best cinema experience to movie fans throughout Japan.”
With this agreement, Toho Cinemas becomes Imax’s largest exhibition partner in Japan. The duo already operates nine locations together, with seven more systems scheduled to open by the end of 2026. Their partnership has proven commercially successful — in 2024, Toho Cinemas operated three of Japan’s four highest-grossing Imax venues.
Imax CEO Rich Gelfond underscored the strategic importance of both the theatrical relationship and Imax’s film slate collaboration with parent company Toho Group, which Gelfond described as “a global entertainment powerhouse.”
“We are on pace deliver more signings for Imax systems in Japan this year than ever,” Gelfond said, “and securing the further commitment of an excellent strategic partner such as Toho Cinemas underscores our strength in this vital market.”
The expansion arrives as Imax enjoys unprecedented growth in Japan, having signed agreements for 11 new and upgraded locations year-to-date — approaching the company’s previous record of 12 set in 2023. Imax currently operates 53 locations across Japan with an additional 17 in the pipeline. Japan ranked as the third highest-grossing market globally for Imax in 2024.
Toho’s film distribution arm has been instrumental in Imax’s Japanese-language success, producing or distributing 17 of Imax’s top twenty highest-grossing Japanese titles. Anime has proven particularly lucrative for the format, with hits like “Demon Slayer” (2021), “Suzume” (2022) and “The Boy and The Heron” (2023) delivering strong results both domestically and internationally.
The companies are already eyeing their next potential blockbuster, with the highly anticipated “Demon Slayer” sequel slated for July release, preceded by a May re-release of the original. Last month’s North American rerelease of Studio Ghibli’s 1997 classic “Princess Mononoke” by Toho’s Gkids delivered the biggest domestic opening ever for a local language title in Imax, grossing $4.1 million.
All six new Japan locations will feature Imax with laser technology, the company’s premium offering that includes 4K laser projection, custom-designed lenses, and proprietary technology delivering increased brightness, resolution, contrast and color range.
