IMAX Corporation and Paramount Pictures announced that The Spiderwick Chronicles, a fantasy adventure based on the best-selling series of books, will be simultaneously released to both IMAX(R) and conventional theatres on February 15th, 2008. Directed by Mark Waters (Mean Girls, Freaky Friday), produced by Mark Canton (300) from a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick and David Berenbaum and John Sayles, The Spiderwick Chronicles will be digitally re-mastered into the unparalleled image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience(R) through IMAX's DMR(R) (Digital Re-Mastering) technology. Today's announcement marks the fourth film agreement between IMAX and Paramount Pictures in the past five months. Beowulf, the next Paramount film to be released in IMAX, opens November 16th, 2007.

"The grand scale and immersive nature of The IMAX Experience gives Spiderwick a brand new level of excitement," said Mark Canton. "In IMAX theatres, fans will be drawn into the movie even further and feel as if they are actually part of the story."

"The Spiderwick Chronicles is an ideal fit for the IMAX brand and our audience, and it is a terrific way to launch our slate for 2008," said IMAX Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs Richard L. Gelfond and Bradley J. Wechsler. "Paramount Pictures' continued enthusiasm towards IMAX theatres as a distribution platform is adding to the strength of our release schedule, which contributes to the growing popularity of The IMAX Experience, and ultimately the growth of the IMAX theatre network."

"We've had phenomenal success with Hollywood movies that are based on best-selling books, and we are excited to work with Paramount Pictures and the filmmakers to reach the millions of Spiderwick fans with a completely unique way to experience the first film-adapted adventure of this beloved series of books," added Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "In IMAX theatres, audiences will feel as if they are actually inside the Spiderwick mansion as the magical adventures unfold around them."

From the beloved best-selling series of books comes The Spiderwick Chronicles, a fantasy adventure for the child in all of us. Peculiar things start to happen the moment the Grace family (Jared, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory and their mom) leave New York and move into the secluded old house owned by their great, great uncle Arthur Spiderwick. Unable to explain the strange disappearances and accidents that seem to be happening on a daily basis, the family blames Jared. When he, Simon and Mallory investigate what's really going on, they uncover the fantastic truth of the Spiderwick estate and of the creatures that inhabit it.

Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present a Kennedy/Marshall and a Mark Canton Production of a Mark Waters film The Spiderwick Chronicles starring Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte with Joan Plowright and David Strathairn and the voices of Seth Rogen and Martin Short. The film is directed by Mark Waters from a screenplay by Karey Kirkpatrick and David Berenbaum and John Sayles, based on the books by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. The costumes are designed by Joanna Johnston. The music is by James Horner. The special visual effects are by Industrial Light & Magic. Visual effects by Tippett Studio.

The Spiderwick Chronicles was released February 14th, 2008 and stars Freddie Highmore, Mary-Louise Parker, Nick Nolte, Sarah Bolger, Andrew McCarthy, Joan Plowright, David Strathairn, Seth Rogen. The film is directed by Mark Waters.