Movies Are Officially Back: HOYTS Will Open Ten New IMAX Locations Across Australia and New Zealand by 2029
While we don't know exactly where they'll be, Aussie and Kiwi moviegoers will see their available IMAX screens double in the next two years.
After a rough couple of years from a pandemic-induced downturn, all signs are pointing to cinema being back on two feet. Box office numbers are climbing, attendance is improving, and one of Australia's biggest cinema groups is promising to bring the biggest and best screen in the game to more cinephiles across the region.
HOYTS has announced the next stage of its partnership with IMAX, which has already helped increase the total number of IMAX screens in Australia and New Zealand from one in 2022 to ten today. Now that promise has ramped up in a big way, with four upcoming screens this year expanding to a total of 14 new screens promised to be open by some time in 2029. As to where, all we know is they'll be scattered across Australia and New Zealand, three of the previously-announced screens will open in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth by the end of the year.
If you've not yet had the pleasure, IMAX Laser is one of the most immersive moviegoing experiences in the game. It's a 4K resolution projection system, designed to make the most of the expanded IMAX screen, which is on average around 40 percent bigger, mostly vertically, than your typical cinema screen aspect ratio. It comes packed with improved audio systems, more vibrant colours and deeper contrast too — a spectacular experience when paired with made-for-IMAX films like Project Hail Mary, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Wicked: For Good.
HOYTS Group CEO and President Damian Keogh said, "Expanding our partnership with IMAX marks another step in strengthening HOYTS' position as Australia's leading cinema circuit, while continuing to elevate the cinema experience for audiences nationwide."
"The strong performance of our four existing HOYTS IMAX locations, launched at the end of 2025, reflect the growing demand for premium cinema experiences. As more movies are being specifically designed for this format, expanding our partnership with IMAX comes at exactly the right time."
Project Hail Mary, released to wide acclaim in March, had the second-largest IMAX opening weekend in Australian history, helping push Australia to the ninth-best-performing nation for IMAX screens worldwide. In 2025 alone, Australian IMAX screens delivered a total box office revenue of $18.6 million.
What can you see on these big screens? A number of made-for-IMAX films are set to release this year, including Mortal Kombat II and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu in May, The Odyssey in July, Digger in October and Dune Part 3 in December. Browse our monthly theatrical guide to see what else is hitting big screens in the weeks to come.
Images: HOYTS
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