IMAX Chief Jonathan Fischer Calls Ramayana 'The Most Anticipated Global Film of 2026'

When IMAX Calls You the Biggest Film on Earth

At a recent event promoting IMAX's global expansion, the company's Chief Content Officer Jonathan Fischer made a statement that sent shockwaves through the film industry: he called Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana: Part 1 "the most anticipated global film this year."

Let that sink in. IMAX — the company that has championed Christopher Nolan, James Cameron, and Marvel — is now saying that an Indian mythological epic is the single most anticipated film on the planet in 2026.

Why This Statement Matters

IMAX doesn't make statements like this lightly. Their business model depends on identifying the biggest films globally and giving them premium screen space. When the company publicly calls a film "the most anticipated," it signals serious confidence in that film's commercial potential.

For an Indian film to receive this kind of public endorsement from IMAX's global leadership is unprecedented. It means Ramayana is being positioned alongside Hollywood's biggest releases in IMAX's global release calendar. IMAX's marketing dollars are now behind Ramayana internationally — something that has never happened for an Indian production before.

IMAX Presentation Details

Ramayana is confirmed to release in IMAX format globally. IMAX screens are significantly larger than standard screens — up to 10 times bigger — and use laser projection with 12-channel sound. For a film built on the visual scale of Ayodhya, Lanka, Ram Setu, and the Dandaka forest, IMAX is the ideal way to experience DNEG's VFX work.

The exact IMAX aspect ratio for Ramayana has not been officially confirmed yet. However, given that the film is being actively promoted by IMAX as a premium release, an expanded aspect ratio for select sequences is expected — similar to how Oppenheimer and Dune used IMAX-specific framing for key scenes that only IMAX audiences will see at full size.

First Indian Film to Get This Treatment

No Indian film has ever received this level of endorsement from IMAX's global leadership. Baahubali played on select IMAX screens. RRR had a limited IMAX run. But Ramayana is the first Indian film where IMAX is actively promoting it as their flagship global release — placing it in the same category as Oppenheimer, Avatar, and Dune.

This is a watershed moment for Indian cinema's global presence. The film that comes from the oldest story in the world is arriving at the world's most advanced cinema format — and the format's own leadership is treating it as their biggest release of the year.

What IMAX Means for the Box Office

IMAX screenings command higher ticket prices — in India, ₹500 to ₹1,200 depending on the city; internationally, $15–$25. Premium format screenings contribute a significant share of overall box office revenue for tentpole releases. A film with strong IMAX performance can add ₹50–80 crore to its India net collection from premium screens alone.

More importantly, IMAX's global endorsement signals to international audiences that Ramayana is not "just an Indian film" — it is a global cinematic event worth the premium ticket price. That perception shift is arguably more valuable than the premium revenue itself. It changes who shows up to watch.