Hollywood
Harry Potter movie opens in 72 Imax theatres globally
MUMBAI: The adventure continues in Imax!
Today, 18 November 2005 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire: The IMAX Experience is being released in select Imax theatres concurrent with the 35mm release.
The film is expected to debut in a record
72 Imax theatres with an additional 18 to open in weeks following, eclipsing the mark set by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Imax Experience earlier this year.
In India, it has been released today in Mumbai at the Imax Dome in Wadala and also in Delhi and Hyderabad. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire has been digitally re-mastered for The Imax Experience with proprietary Imax DMR (digital re-mastering) technology. This is the fourth installment in the beloved Harry Potter franchise, and the second to be digitally re-mastered into Imax.
The film’s director, Mike Newell, who also made Four Weddings and A Funeral says, “We are very excited to bring the suspense, humour, action and drama of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire to life on the giant Imax screen. The breathtaking Imax format brings a whole new
perspective to this marvellous story.”
Warner Bros. Pictures president domestic distribution, Dan Fellman says, “There is clearly a real appetite on the part of audiences to see Harry Potter on the Imax screen. We are glad to be able to offer this unique viewing experience in selected Imax theaters in America and in Canada, and we can already see that fans are thrilled to have this opportunity.”
In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry played by Daniel Radcliffe must contend with being mysteriously selected to compete in the prestigious Triwizard Tournament. This is a competition that pits him against older and more experienced students from Hogwarts and two rival European wizarding schools. Meanwhile, supporters of Harry’s nemesis, the
evil Lord Voldemort played by Ralph Fiennes The English Patient, send a shockwave of fear throughout the wizard community when their Dark Mark scorches the sky at the Quidditch World Cup, signalling Voldemort’s return to power. But for Harry, this is not the only harrowing news causing him anxiety — he still has yet to find a date for Hogwarts’ Yule Ball dance.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
