IMAX is a brand of 3D film technology and a type of movie theater.
The IMAX brand name was created in 1970 by two Canadian brothers, Graeme Ferguson and Roman Kroitor, for their company “IMAX Corporation” which they founded to produce the first large-format films.
These new types of films provided an immersive experience that more closely resembled the feel of projectors than traditional movies because they were projected on larger screens with much higher resolution images.
However, it wasn’t until 1994 when Steven Spielberg’s “Jurassic Park” opened at an IMAX theater that people began to associate IMAX with being the best way to see movies in theaters.
WHAT IS IMAX
What Is IMAX?
IMAX is a type of screen that was created by Canadian inventor Graeme Ferguson, who with engineer Robert Kerr developed the first IMAX theater in 1967.
The IMAX experience is more than just seeing movies in a larger-than-life way. It’s about feeling like you’re part of the action and getting up close to see every detail on screen.
There are currently over 1,200 movie screens worldwide, including 67 countries with 450 theaters and 29 different languages spoken among them!
Audiences can be a tough audience to please. They want the most interesting and engaging content available.
In 1968, a group of filmmakers created IMAX as a way to present large-format movies in theaters that would provide moviegoers with an immersing experience like no other.
The first theater opened its doors in 1973 at Ontario Place in Canada, but soon after more theaters popped up all over the world from China to Germany.
It wasn’t until 1994 when Steven Spielberg released “Jurassic Park” that audiences really started paying attention to this new technology, people were blown away by the massive dinosaurs.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum (Actors)
- Steven Spielberg (Director) - Michael Crichton (Writer) - Kathleen Kennedy (Producer)
- English (Playback Language)
- English (Subtitle)
IMAX is an innovative company that has been producing the best cinematic experience for over 40 years. With it, you get twice as much of everything: more pixels, a wider picture, and louder sound.
So what does all this mean?
IMAX is an innovative company that has been providing audiences with the best cinematic experience for over 40 years by using its advanced technology to make movies look even better than they were previously viewed on screens in theaters and at home.
With IMAX, there are two times as many pixels, the movie will take up a wider screen, and the sound will be amplified so audiences can hear every detail in crystal clear clarity.
Moviegoers have been experiencing the most immersive cinematic experience since IMAX was introduced in 1968.
The large screens and high-quality sound provide an unparalleled viewing experience that is unmatched by any other movie theater.
Theaters are often designed to reflect the awe-inspiring feeling of being inside a giant screen, with some theaters even including an up-close-and-personal view of various scenes from the film on one side of the room and a larger, more expansive view on another side.
This combination allows viewers to feel as though they are not just watching a movie but rather partaking in it.
IMAX theaters also offer food service for those who need sustenance during their time at the movies, making this option perfect for families or friends!
IMAX Characteristics
Imax is a movie theater format that makes the screen larger than life.
It was created by Canada’s IMAX Corporation, which originally stood for “Imaging Xperts.”
The company has been in operation since 1967 and today operates more than 1,300 screens worldwide. Imax theaters are typically located at specialty movie theaters or amusement parks.
They can also be found at museums and science centers as well as aquariums, zoos, and other tourist attractions.
Today there are over 537 Imax theatres in 68 countries with a combined total of almost 814 million dollars in revenue last year alone.
These numbers will likely only increase as more people become aware of this incredible experience through word of mouth.
IMAX is a great way to experience movies. They have better sound, pictures, and more space than any other format available.
It’s also a really good way for theaters to make money because they charge more for it.
Imax screens are typically at the top of buildings so that you can see them from afar when you’re driving by or walking down the street. If you’re ever in an area with one nearby and want to check out what it is like, just go inside!
There are many characteristics that make up what make Imax movies so unique and different from any other standard film or theater show.
So let’s start with the basics: What does IMAX stand for?
It stands for “Image Maximum.” Basically, this means that everything on the screen will look larger than life!
Now you’re probably wondering how this could be possible when they have screens in theaters like any other type of screening room.
The sound is a combination of an on-screen audio track with speakers in the theater that provide live orchestration or other prerecorded sounds as well as surround sound effects.
The typical frame size for a standard Imax screen ranges from 15 to 18 meters wide (approximately 50 to 60 feet) by 6 meters high (approximately 20 feet).
The aspect ratio of an Imax film is typically 1.43:1 but can range anywhere from 1.33:1 to 2.39:1 if it was originally filmed.
Local IMAX
Do you love movies?
Well, if so, then IMAX is the place for you.
The only difference between an IMAX and a regular movie theater is that at an IMAX theater there are no seats because it’s all standing room only.
It’s like being in the movie itself!
If you’re looking to get up close with your favorite actors or just want a new experience when going to the movies, head on over to your nearest IMAX theater today!
If you’re a movie buff, chances are you’ve heard of the IMAX theater. With its massive screens and booming surround sound, it’s no wonder that more and more theaters are converting to this format (especially since IMAX tickets cost at least $15).
But have you ever wondered what the difference is between an ordinary theater screen and an IMAX one?
The size of your TV or monitor doesn’t matter,” says James L. McQuivey, Ph.D., who studies digital media for Forrester Research in Cambridge, Mass.
What matters is how close you are! The average movie-theater seat puts viewers about six feet from the screen.
The IMAX theater in your town is one of the best places to watch movies, but did you know that they offer more than just a movie screen?
For those that enjoy the big screen experience, but don’t like to travel far from home, a theater in your neighborhood may be just what you’re looking for.
The IMAX theater at the Grove is now open and ready to show your favorite movies on an even bigger screen than ever before.
The Grove’s IMAX features state-of-the-art digital projection technology with sound systems designed by Dolby Laboratories and THX certification.
With 16 screens total, there are plenty of options available too! Take advantage of these awesome theaters while they last, soon enough it will be time to head out for summer vacation again!
The IMAX Experience
The IMAX Experience is an immersive cinema experience that takes you to new worlds and provides a level of detail that you can’t get at home.
The IMAX Experience has been around since the 1970s when it was first introduced as a way for filmmakers to show their work on larger screens without having to use projectors.
Recently, the company has started branching out into virtual reality which is opening up even more possibilities for filmmakers and audiences alike.
The IMAX Experience is a great way to feel like you’re in the action. You can enjoy an immersive movie experience that feels life-sized and three-dimensional.
These movies are filmed with special cameras, so when you watch them on your TV or computer screen they look much better than regular films.
But even more importantly, when you go to see one of these films at an IMAX theater, it will feel like you’re right there in the story!
The best part about this new paradigm is that these theaters have come down in price dramatically over the years and now offer a variety of different types of programming for families and adults alike.
With everything from educational documentaries to 3D movies geared towards kids, there’s something for everyone!
There is no other film experience quite like the one you get when you go see a movie in an IMAX theatre. Everything about it is bigger and better than any movie has ever been before, from the sound to the visuals.
It’s not just that it’s larger or louder, though both of those things are true, it’s something more fundamental about how we perceive what we’re watching on screen.
The difference between seeing a blockbuster at home or in an IMAX theatre can be profound even if they’re showing the same film!
The IMAX experience is a cinematic spectacle. It’s the perfect way to enjoy Hollywood blockbusters in their original format, as well as documentaries and other films that are designed for the big screen.
The sound quality is unmatched by anything you can find at home, and it’s often more immersive than 3D movies.
If you’re looking for a new movie-going experience that will wow your senses from start to finish, check out an IMAX film near you!
How IMAX Works
For the uninformed, IMAX is a film format that offers an unparalleled level of immersion.
The increased height and width of the screens allow for larger images and better sound quality than most regular theaters.
While it’s not as common as traditional theater viewing, there are many benefits to seeing movies in this format including more immersive experiences, reduced eyestrain from large screens with high-resolution images, and no interruptions during trailers or commercials.
Nowadays you can find IMAX theaters all over the world, but how do they work?
IMAX is a type of film projection that provides the viewer with an immersive experience.
This format offers a theatrical-quality viewing experience and includes soundtracks that are specially created for IMAX screens.
The process was developed in Canada by Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr, and William Shaw in 1967.
Originally conceived as large-format movie technology only suitable for museums and planetariums, it has evolved into mainstream entertainment available at both those locations and also commercial cinemas today.
IMAX theaters use larger projectors than standard theaters do which means the images on the screen can be up to ten times bigger than what you see at home or in most other types of cinema presentations.
These huge screens allow viewers to enjoy movies surrounded by expansive IMAX is an experience. It’s not just a movie theater, it’s a place to escape the real world and enter into another one.
With IMAX, you can feel what it feels like to ride on a motorcycle with Evel Knievel or soar through Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.
And now that IMAX has been converted for 3D viewing, you don’t even have to wear those tacky glasses anymore!
Competitors To IMAX
The IMAX theater is by far the most popular choice for watching movies.
However, there are other options available.
IMAX is the leading brand for large-screen theater experiences. But, there are many other competitors to IMAX that offer a similar experience at a much lower price point.
Some of these competitors include Cinemark, AMC Theaters, and Regal Entertainment Group.
These theaters have screens as large or larger than IMAX screens but cost less than half of what an IMAX ticket costs.
When you go to the movies, which theater do you usually choose?
If you’re like most people, then it’s probably an IMAX theater.
There are many reasons why this is the case. The size of the screen in an IMAX theater is much larger than that of a normal movie theater.
Being able to see more on-screen makes for a better viewing experience and being so close to such a large screen also creates a sense of immersion not found at other theaters.
In addition, IMAX theaters offer more comfortable seats and chairs, as well as excellent sound quality with 16-channel, surround sound audio systems that enhance your feelings towards the film itself.
A few months ago, another company called MoviePass announced they were going to be releasing a new service that would allow moviegoers to see one film per day for just $9.95/month.
This is not the first time this has happened though, there are many competitors out there who have tried and failed at being the next big thing in cinema.
IMAX’s newest competitor is AMC A-List which offers access to any three movies each week for $19.99/month after an initial 3 month trial period with no commitment required and includes 3D films as well as IMAX titles in their subscription package.
With this competition emerging, it will be interesting to see how the two services battle it out for customers over the coming years.
What Is The Difference Between Standard And IMAX?
A lot of people are wondering what is the difference between standard and IMAX.
Standard screens measure around 30 feet wide by 60 feet deep with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 or 16:9 (widescreen).
The depth can vary depending on the theater but it’s usually around 10-14 feet tall for most standard screens in cinemas today.
This means that there is less height than width which gives you a wider field of vision when watching the screen so it feels like you’re sitting closer to the action even though you’re not physically any closer
The difference between standard and IMAX is the size of the screen. The standard cinema screen has a width of about 2.5 times its height, while an IMAX cinema screen can have a width that is up to four times its height.
This means that you’ll get more detail in the image with an IMAX movie theater than with a standard one.
The most significant difference between standard and IMAX is the screen size. Standard screens measure approximately six feet high, whereas an IMAX screen measures over 20 feet high with a near-180 degree viewing angle.
This means that you will see more of the picture in IMAX than on a standard theater screen, which allows for clearer and crisper visuals.
Theaters have to be certified by IMAX Corporation to carry the name, otherwise, they are just called large-format theaters or other names such as “giant” or “super.”
As of 2017, there were 1,202 theaters worldwide carrying the certification logo for showing movies formatted with traditional 2D film projection techniques and 274 theaters displaying movies using digital projectors.
The average movie theater has a screen with dimensions of about 45 feet by 30 feet. IMAX theaters are much larger and have a huge, curved screen that is almost 10 stories high!
That means the film can be shown in its true scope on an even grander scale. The result is truly breathtaking.
For example, when you watch the final scene from “The Dark Knight Rises” in a standard format, it’s hard to tell if Bane’s breaking of Batman’s back was real or not, but when watched at IMAX, his brutal act becomes all too clear as he breaks our hero’s spine into two pieces with one hand!
Is IMAX Better Than 4K?
The IMAX theaters are on the cutting edge of technology. If you haven’t been to one yet, they’re a must-see.
IMAX theaters use an oversized screen that fills your field of view and puts you at the center of the action.
With advanced sound systems, state-of-the-art projectors, and crystal clear images, it’s as if you’ve stepped inside the film.
We all know how amazing 4k TVs have become in recent years.
But is this new technology better than IMAX?
The first thing we need to do to find out the difference between IMAX and 4K is to figure out what each term means.
IMAX refers to a large-format movie theater that uses, you guessed it, an IMAX projection system.
The resolution of this type of film reaches up to 15000 square feet or 75 meters wide by nearly 20 high! So when you go watch an IMAX film you’re basically getting more than twice as much detail on your screen as with regular cinema.
Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about 4k and IMAX. The question that many people are asking is which one is better?
The first thing to consider when deciding if IMAX or 4K technology is best for your movie experience, is what type of content you watch most often.
If you’re an action buff, where explosions and quick cuts abound, then IMAX might be the way to go because it provides a more intense viewing experience than does HDTVs or even 4K TVs.
The question we want to answer is if IMAX is better than 4K?
Well, let’s find out!
Are IMAX Movies Worth It?
IMAX movies are expensive but worth it.
The experience of watching an IMAX film is incomparable to anything else. It’s like being in the movie with the characters and feeling what they feel.
Some people may wonder if it’s really worth it to spend that much money on a movie ticket when you could just stay at home and watch TV or go see a regular film for half the price.
If you have never seen an IMAX movie before, then yes this might seem crazy, but once you try one we’re sure you’ll be hooked!
We’re all familiar with IMAX movies, but are they worth the extra price? Some people say yes while others say no.
Pros: The screen is so large that it can feel like you’re actually sitting in front of nature or looking through someone else’s eyes as they travel around our world.
You’ll get to experience what it would be like if your head was 100 feet tall!
Cons: There is something about watching a movie on such an expansive screen that makes even funny moments seem serious or sad moments much more dramatic.
Moviegoers are constantly faced with the question of whether or not to spend the extra money for an IMAX ticket.
It’s important to understand that there is no one right answer for everyone, and it largely depends on what you want from your movie experience.
The first thing you should know is how much more expensive a regular theater ticket costs versus an IMAX theater ticket.
A typical movie-going experience usually costs $10-$12 per person, so if two people go together they’ll normally spend around $20 total.
An IMax ticket will cost at least twice as much: up to $25 per person.
What Is Special About IMAX?
The first IMAX theater opened in 1967. It was a joint venture between
But they had to compete with another type of cinema experience: Cinerama! The two companies decided that it would be best to merge and become one force called “Paramount-ICA.”
They then created what is now known as true IMAX theaters which include those gigantic screens up to five stories tall and 12,000 square feet in size!
These days there are over 800 IMAX screens across the world.
What’s so special about them?
If you have never been to an IMAX theater before, go! They are absolutely amazing.
The sound is crisp, the picture quality is perfect. Basically, everything that a moviegoer could want from a movie experience.
I have always loved going to the movie theater and watching my favorite films on the big screen. My first experience with IMAX was when I went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens in December of 2015.
It blew me away! The sound is so crisp, you can feel it reverberating in your chest cavity.
You are completely immersed in the world of the film because of how close you are to that huge screen.
IMAX is a trademarked term that stands for “image maximum.” It was originally coined in 1968 when Canada’s National Film Board, which helped create the technology, unveiled their first IMAX theater.
The screen size is large and the sound system is exceptional which makes it an immersive experience!
Related posts
8 Comments
Leave a Reply Cancel reply
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
So what does a 4K and IMAX do is it the same?
Hi Luis,
They’re different formats. IMAX movies use 65mm film for filming, which is theoretically capable of performing 18K resolution.
IMAX is a cinema format and shot on large IMAX capable cameras. 4K is a home use format.
IMAX is a movie watching experience that was revolutionized. It is a movie theater with a large screen that makes the movie seem even more life-like.
For sure, Jake.
IMAX is a movie watching experience that was revolutionized. It is a movie theater with a large screen that makes the movie seem even more life-like.
Indeed.
Hi Matt! I’m a reporter for WCCO (CBS) in Minneapolis, MN, working on a story about what sets IMAX apart from standard theaters, as well as how not all IMAX screens/experiences are the same. Would love to talk with you given your expertise. Please email me at your earliest convenience at jrwagner@wcco.com if you’re available. Thank you!
Hi Jeff,
I just dropped you an email.