Why IMAX Stock Jumped This Week

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • IMAX could make for an attractive takeover target.

  • Moviegoing trends are working in the company's favor.

  • 10 stocks we like better than IMAX ›

Shares of IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) rose sharply this past week, following reports that the entertainment technology supplier is courting potential acquirers.

People are smiling while watching a movie in a theatre.

Image source: Getty Images.

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Up for sale

IMAX is reportedly exploring a sale to a larger entertainment company, according to The Wall Street Journal. Investors should note, however, that talks are in the preliminary stages and may prove unfruitful.

Moviegoers want a more immersive experience

The news comes as IMAX is enjoying strong demand for its technology platform in the U.S. and international markets. It signed agreements for 10 new locations in Australia and seven in Japan earlier this year. In all, IMAX struck deals for 42 systems across 10 countries as of April 30.

At the same time, more filmmakers are using special digital cameras when shooting movies, thereby helping to optimize their films for IMAX's massive screens. In turn, 14 Filmed For IMAX releases -- including The Mandalorian and Grogu, The Odyssey, and Dune: Part Three -- are projected to generate a record $1.4 billion in global box office receipts in 2026.

Better still, IMAX is growing more profitable as it expands its network. The movie tech leader's adjusted net income surged 58% to $80.6 million in 2025, or $1.45 per share.

Should you buy stock in IMAX right now?

Before you buy stock in IMAX, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and IMAX wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $477,813!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,320,088!*

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*Stock Advisor returns as of May 24, 2026.

Joe Tenebruso has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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