Tips for Watching IMAX Movies

IMAX theaters are know for their massively huge screens, impressive sound systems, and stadium style seating. I saw my first IMAX film in Las Vegas years ago. Back then, none of the main stream block buster titles were showing at IMAX. Only PBS style nature and science films were showing. My believe was this was mostly because IMAX required a special style of projector system far beyond the size and scope of those used in Hollywood at the time. However, in the last few years, it seems many if not all, main movie titles are being shown in IMAX. Perhaps this is because most new movies are being shot in digital formats which are more easily scaled to the IMAX formats. Regardless, I was more than pleased to see Avatar in IMAX 3D a number of times.

IMAX Color Coded Chairs

For the larger IMAX theaters, you’ll notice two colors of chairs, one color will be for the parameter chairs along the edges. The other color of chairs dominate the theater. During some films, the IMAX staff came out and gave a verbal intro and explained that the parameter colored chairs were considered poor seating for the 3D experience, but fine for 2D. Actually, every Avatar screening I saw was sold out, but only the burgundy colored chairs were sold out and the gray parameter chairs were not even sold.

Choosing the Optimal Seat for 3D

As one might guess, the optimal location to sit for any IMAX movie, 3D or regular 2D, is directly in the middle and about four or 5 rows from the back. This will put your viewing location directly in the middle of the screen. When sitting in this location, the 3D effects are stunning, sound is incredible, and the whole film will be taken to a higher level of enjoyment. Is it worth coming to the film early for these seats? In my opinion, definitely! For Avatar I showed up at least 70 to 80 minutes prior to show time. Even when arriving this early, there were at least a dozen people there before me. However, I was able to gain optimal seats in the sweet spot. When I arrived 40 minutes early, I often ended up sitting off-center. The seats were still acceptable, but I would have gladly showed up 20 minutes earlier for prime seats.

• Seating Position 1: Perhaps the worst position (see below)
• Seating Position 2: Optimal is center from this position and backward
• Seating Position 3: A bit too close
• Seating Position 4: OK viewing, 3D effects will be slightly less pronounced
• Seating Position 5: Although screen is easy to see, 3D effects are greatly reduced and surround sound is unbalanced

Front Seats are Really, Really Bad!

In February 2011, I saw Ironman 2 at the big Denver IMAX in 2D. We arrived only 20 minutes early and ended up sitting in the front on the second row and off to the far right. This was the worst location I’ve ever experienced. The film was almost unwatchable. Considering the tickets cost $19 ($17 plus $2 online fee), this was the absolute poorest return on investment I’d ever had at any theater. Personally, although I immensely enjoyed Ironman, I think I would have enjoyed it more at a regular theater sitting in the middle zone and at the reduced price of $10.

Get Discount Tickets at Costco!

Oh, and for those of you who like to skimp, Costco here in Colorado offers movie tickets at the price of two for $15 which can be used at several theaters. You can even use these same tickets at IMAX to get $2.50 off the box office price.

Before the Movie Starts

My last tip would be to use the restroom before the movie starts. Unlike normal theaters, IMAX does not offer a double isle for easy access out of the theater, so a trip to the restroom mid-film will involve crawling past over a dozen people while trying not to fall down the super-steep incline.