IMAX is walking into 2026 with a clear message for the global exhibition business: premium is thriving, and India is now central to that growth story. In its latest investor-facing update released in February 2026, the company spotlighted India’s outsized importance within its local-language strategy, while also flagging two attention-grabbing titles for the year ahead, Ramayana Part 1 and Toxic.
The push comes after IMAX closed 2025 with what it called its highest-grossing year ever at the global box office, clocking $1.28 billion. For an industry still trying to find consistent post-pandemic footing, the scale of that number, and the way IMAX attributes its momentum to both Hollywood event films and international-language titles, underlines why the company is doubling down on high-performing markets such as India.
The Latest Update: India’s Local-Language Dominance Drives IMAX’s 2026 Playbook
A key takeaway from the presentation is how India behaves differently from many other premium-format territories. IMAX highlighted that about 90 percent of the overall Indian box office earned on IMAX screens comes from local-language films, not Hollywood imports. That insight is shaping IMAX’s next moves, which include expanding partnerships to increase the number of Indian-language films formatted and showcased in the format.
Globally, IMAX said its local-language box office reached $405 million in 2025, which it described as a record. Looking ahead, the company projected 75 local-language titles worldwide in 2026, positioning international content not as a side offering but as a core growth engine.
Within that context, Ramayana Part 1 appeared as a notable Indian title expected to be part of IMAX’s local-language slate. The same slide also included Toxic, the Yash-led film directed by Geetu Mohandas, which is currently scheduled for a theatrical release on March 19, 2026.
IMAX’s February 2026 investor presentation also leaned into a wider “eventization” strategy, noting collaborations with major streaming platforms to give select titles and live events premium theatrical windows. The intent is clear: turn IMAX into the first-choice stage for cultural moments, not just big movies.
Ramayana Part 1 And Toxic: What We Know So Far
Ramayana Part 1 is a large-scale mythological epic directed by Nitesh Tiwari and backed by Namit Malhotra’s Prime Focus Studios. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi, Yash, and Sunny Deol, and is positioned as the first instalment in a planned franchise.
Toxic is mounted by KVN Productions and Monster Mind Creations, with Geetu Mohandas directing Yash in the lead. The film has been positioned as a stylised, big-canvas action drama aimed at a wide theatrical audience.
(Also read: Ideas Of India 2026: Shah Rukh Khan’s Message To The Youth Is All About Courage, Sacrifice And Relentless Enthusiasm)
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