As Hollywood prepares to unleash its summer season arsenal of would-be blockbusters, Kinepolis Group and Imax Company are betting huge on premium theatrical experiences with a multi-territory growth introduced Monday at CinemaCon.

The deal requires 9 new state-of-the-art Imax with laser techniques to be put in throughout the Belgium-based exhibitor’s worldwide footprint, almost doubling Kinepolis’ Imax presence in Europe whereas extending their partnership into new territories.

The settlement arrives as Imax wraps a strong first quarter and positions itself for a summer season slate that includes extra “Filmed for Imax” titles than ever earlier than, together with the anticipated “Sinners,” “Thunderbolts,” “Mission: Unimaginable – The Remaining Reckoning,” “The Incredible 4,” “The way to Practice Your Dragon” and “Superman.”

The European growth consists of seven new places throughout France (1), Belgium (1), Spain (2), and the Netherlands (3) — marking Imax’s first foray into the Dutch market with Kinepolis. Further places will open within the U.S. and Canada by Kinepolis subsidiaries MJR Theatres and Landmark Cinemas.

“We’re devoted to offering premium cinema experiences that cater to the rising demand for richer and extra immersive moviegoing,” mentioned Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group, in a press release. “Imax has constantly confirmed its skill to raise the viewing expertise of Hollywood’s greatest movies.”

Imax chief Wealthy Gelfond touted the growth as additional proof of exhibitors’ rising confidence in premium codecs. “As we shut out a powerful quarter for system gross sales and enter a blockbuster season stuffed with movies made to be seen in Imax, it’s clear that demand for our platform is rising,” Gelfond mentioned.

The nine-theater dedication builds upon a earlier 2023 pact that known as for eight Imax techniques, successfully tripling the companions’ footprint since early final 12 months. Underneath the brand new settlement, eight of the places will start working earlier than 12 months’s finish.

All new installations will function Imax with laser know-how, the corporate’s premium 4K projection system with enhanced coloration spectrum and distinction capabilities particularly engineered for Imax’s large-format screens.