Clue 1 · The Basics
A mid-cap entertainment-technology company listed on the NYSE, headquartered in Canada but operating in dozens of countries worldwide.
Clue 2 · The Numbers
Annual revenue of roughly $300 million, with most of it tied directly to box-office performance — meaning a bad summer at the movies is a very bad summer for this company.
Clue 3 · The History
Born out of Expo 67 in Montreal, the company spent decades perfecting large-format film projection before Hollywood studios came begging to put their blockbusters in its theaters.
Clue 4 · The Secret
It doesn't own most of the theaters that carry its name — it licenses its brand and technology to exhibitors and takes a cut of every ticket sold, making it more of a tech licensor than a theater chain.
Clue 5 · The Lore
Christopher Nolan is basically its unofficial brand ambassador — he has insisted on shooting and releasing films in this format, calling it the ultimate cinematic experience, which is exactly what the marketing department would say.
Clue 6 · The Giveaway
You've paid extra for those giant curved screens and bone-rattling sound while watching everything from Interstellar to Oppenheimer — the logo is enormous, and so is the price of your popcorn.