The Art of Business

Dark Knight Brightens Box Office, Stock Prices

A stressed economy had no power to stop The Dark Knight from beating box office records over the weekend. Nationwide, theater showings were sold out, making ticket sales hot on eBay.

Among the most highly sought after tickets were those for IMAX screenings. The Hollywood movie directed by Christopher Nolan is the first of its kind to incorporate scenes shot with an actual IMAX camera, living up to its “IMAX Experience” publicity. Consumers bought into it and flocked to see the film in IMAX like never before, breaking the IMAX theater records, as well. Reuters reports that the Dark Knight lit up IMAX Corporation share prices by over 23 percent. It’s no surprise investors are feeling positive about the company’s contribution to the summer’s hottest movie weekend. According to the article, “The $158.4 million opening for the latest Batman sequel featured $6.2 million from just 94 Imax screens, or a mind-numbing $67,000 per venue.” Those are numbers even Bruce Wayne wouldn’t scoff at.

While success like this will be difficult to duplicate, all eyes will be on the box office and IMAX this November, as Warner Bros. unveils another box office breaker – the sixth Harry Potter movie.