What Is IMAX?

IMAX is a premium large-format cinema system. Compared with a standard multiplex screen, IMAX theatres use larger, taller screens, custom projection hardware, and tuned sound systems designed to fill more of your field of view. The format dates back to 15/70 mm film projection — physical film run horizontally through the projector for a much larger, sharper image than standard 35 mm film — and has since expanded to digital laser projection while keeping the same tall-screen philosophy.

Projector Types

Digital laser systems:

• IMAX GT Laser — dual-projector system, capable of the full 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio.
• IMAX CoLa — single projector, limited to 1.90:1.
• IMAX Laser XT — single projector, limited to 1.90:1.
• IMAX Digital — earlier digital xenon-based projection, limited to 1.90:1.
• IMAX Dome with Laser / Laser for Dome — single-projector systems built for dome and planetarium-style theatres.

Traditional 15/70 mm film projectors, capable of the full 1.43:1 aspect ratio:

• GT — 2D film projector.
• GT3D — 3D film projector, dual rotor.
• SR — 3D film projector, small rotor.
• GT Dome / SR Dome — film projectors built for dome theatres.

Aspect Ratios

The taller an IMAX screen's aspect ratio, the more of the original camera frame you see — less is cropped off the top and bottom compared to a standard screen.

Cinemas on this site are tagged with their exact projector type and aspect ratio, so you can filter for the full 1.43:1 IMAX experience specifically — see the map or the full cinema list.