Apple Cinemas has expanded its partnership with Imax by signing a deal for five premium screens with laser projection.

The tech giant, as it doubles its Imax footprint in the U.S. market, plans a new premium screen in a Philadelphia multiplex set to open in 2026, another new Imax screen in an unspecified location, and laser projection upgrades for three existing Imax locations for Apple Cinemas inMaine,New HampshireandCalifornia by 2027.

Our expanded partnership with Imax marks a bold leap forward in delivering next generation moviegoing, saidSiva Shan, co-founder of Apple Cinemas. This isnt just growth its a reimagining of how audiences connect with movies in iconic cities across the country. The latest agreement follows an Apple Cinemas location in White Plains, New York, last year upgrading to next-generation Imax laser projection.

Imaxs strong performance at the box office continues to drive demand and create opportunity with exhibitors inNorth America particularly strong, well-run regional theater owners like Apple Cinemas, Richard Gelfond, CEO of IMAX, said in his own statement. A number of our locations in suburban Philadelphia are among our best performing in the country, so were excited to return to the city itself in a prime location with a great partner in Apple Cinemas.

The Imax theater deal also arrives shortly after Apple brought a lawsuit for using the Apple Cinemas name on the front of a San Fransisco cinema, while having no relation to the tech giant. Apple argued the rival Apple Cinemas was deliberately trying to confuse consumers into believing the Cupertino, California-based tech monolith operates its movie theaters.