IMAX shares jump 10% on Harry Potter news

Yesterday, IMAX (ticker: IMAX) announced that it will begin showing Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in its theaters on November 18, 2005.  The stock jumped more than 10% on the news.

This is the fourth major film being shown in IMAX theaters in 2005.  The others are:

• Robots (currently in theaters)
• Batman Begins (expected June 17, 2005)
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (expected July 15)

Quick comment: In an earlier post, I pointed out that the Batman franchise has been losing steam since the original film was released.  The Harry Potter franchise has also lost some momentum with each sequel, but still promises to be one of the biggest and most profitable films of 2005.  Here's a look at the previous Harry Potter films.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001):

• Budget: $130M
• Opening weekend: $90M
• USA Gross: $318M
• Worldwide gross: $976M

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002):

• Budget: $100M
• Opening weekend: $88M
• USA Gross: $262M
• Worldwide gross: $869M

 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004):

• Budget: $130M
• Opening weekend: $94M
• USA Gross: $250M
• Worldwide gross: $790M