IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) and muvi Cinemas today hosted a grand opening event for the all-new IMAX location at muvi Mall of Arabia in Jeddah – the first-ever IMAX location from Saudi Arabia’s largest exhibitor.

At the event, IMAX announced plans to release the first-ever Arabic language feature film in IMAX. The film, Black Light’s action comedy “Ambulance” starring Ibrahim Hajjaj and Muhammed Al-Qahtani and directed by Colin Teague, is set for release on April 17, 2025, and is expected to be among next year’s highest grossing Arabic-language films.

The event was hosted by Muvi Cinemas CEO Adon Quinn and IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, who participated in a Q&A session along with Black Light CEO Talal Al Anazi and moderated by actress and producer Fatimah Al Banawi.

“IMAX is the most immersive cinematic experience in the world, and we’re grateful to join forces with them to bring IMAX with Laser to muvi Mall of Arabia in Jeddah and key locations across Saudi Arabia. This partnership with IMAX underscores our commitment to delivering unparalleled, world-class experiences to our audiences ” said Adon Quinn, CEO of muvi Cinemas. “’Ambulance’ is a great choice to be the first Saudi film digitally remastered and experienced in IMAX, and we look forward to Ibrahim Al Hajjaj and Mohammed Al Qahtani along with director Colin Teague bringing the film to life in IMAX.”

“As we open our first location with muvi Cinemas – the biggest exhibitor in Saudi Arabia and a new strategic partner for IMAX – we are excited to expand into Arabic-language content and deliver Arabic-speaking audiences an even greater diversity of experiences,” said Gelfond. “IMAX continues to grow its global content portfolio with local content from some of the fast- growing and most exciting film industries worldwide, with a record 61 local language films featured in IMAX in 2024.”

“We are very excited for ‘Ambulance’ to be the first-ever Arabic-language film presented in IMAX; this marks a great milestone for Arabic-language filmmaking and a sign of further growth for our thriving cinema industry,” said Talal Al Anazi.

muvi Cinemas Mall of Arabia & IMAX
muvi Cinemas Mall of Arabia is the first IMAX location to open with muvi Cinemas since the two companies signed their first-ever agreement in July. The location officially opens to the public on Thursday, December 5 with screenings of “Gladiator II” and “Moana 2,” followed by the release of “Kraven the Hunter” December 12. The IMAX with Laser location has 225 seats and features 12-channel sound. Originally opened in 2018 as one of the first multiplexes in Jeddah, the ultra-modern muvi Cinemas Mall of Arabia features 15 auditoriums with a total capacity of 2000 seats.

muvi Cinemas plans to open its next IMAX at Mall of Dhahran by early February; it will be the first IMAX in Dhahran and will be followed by another IMAX location at U Walk in Riyadh. IMAX currently has 11 open locations in Saudi Arabia, with another 21 slated to open. IMAX estimates it can open at least 50 locations in the country. Saudi Arabia has consistently ranked among the company’s top 20 box office markets worldwide since its first full year of commercial operation in 2019.

“Ambulance” – Official Synopsis
Two paramedics stumble upon a briefcase containing two million riyals. In what should be a life-changing moment for them both, it quickly spirals into their worst nightmare with hilarious comical consequences as the duo become entangled into a wacky and ridiculous web of kidnapping, blackmail and murder… Set amidst the bustling metropolis of modern day Riyadh, the oddball, goofy paramedic partnership is tested to the limit as they comically bumble their way through botched heists, awkward getaways, and endless close calls. With a mixture of quick-thinking and pure dumb luck, they might just survive the chaos… if they don’t kill each other first.

About IMAX Corporation
IMAX, an innovator in entertainment technology, combines proprietary software, architecture, and equipment to create experiences that take you beyond the edge of your seat to a world you’ve never imagined. Top filmmakers and studios are utilizing IMAX systems to connect with audiences in extraordinary ways, making IMAX’s network among the most important and successful theatrical distribution platforms for major event films around the globe.

IMAX is headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, with additional offices in London, Dublin, Tokyo, and Shanghai. As of September 30, 2024, there were 1,788 IMAX systems (1,714 commercial multiplexes, 12 commercial destinations, 62 institutional) operating in 89 countries and territories. Shares of IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trade on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the stock code “1970”.

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